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- As a professional courtesy, I want to credit Kareem Rahma of “Subway Takes” because I begin this blog entry with the opening question he asks his guests in every episode. It’s not like he trademarked the sentence, but I feel including that tidbit is appropriate.
So, what’s your take? I believe participating in jury duty is something every American should experience, and here is my argument. Full disclosure: this may seem contradictory, but I’ve only participated in an unofficial jury, specifically a mock jury duty for a focus group, rather than an official court procedure. Regarding that, I was excused from the opportunity to join an official jury because I had obligations that required my presence; therefore, the judge gave me a reprieve and dismissed me. From my understanding, the difference between the official and unofficial jury process is negligible because we underwent the same rigorous deliberation process that official jurors are required to follow. That being said, whether it’s an official process or a simulation, jury duty is a great way to develop team-building and presentation skills because you’re expected to contribute and express your perspectives on serious matters. It’s okay if you’re nervous, but there is no way to avoid it; you will be put on the spot. When it’s your turn to speak, you’d better let your voice be heard. Furthermore, there is a pressure that exponentially builds once you’re chosen. That pressure intensifies because you probably won’t see the people you’re working with again in your life, but if you do happen to see them and don’t recognize each other, just know that you worked together to decide someone’s future, and that’s a connection that won’t break.
Book review: The Last Juror by John Grisham
Before I share my thoughts on this novel, I want to preface that the criminal case that I had the opportunity to almost participate in as a jury member dealt with sexual violence. I must mention this because the novel’s antagonist reminded me of the defendant. In other words, at the time of jury selection, I assumed that the defendant was connected to organized crime (the antagonist in the novel is a member of one). However, there was no evidence to support my assumptions. Not to mention, I left before any further information about the defendant was presented. In any case, the novel begins with a heinous crime, specifically a rape and murder of a popular resident of Clanton, Mississippi, a young widow and mother of two young children. The crime that begins the story is described vividly and is uncomfortable to read. However, John Grisham didn’t write it gratuitously. Including it is necessary so the reader can understand everything that will transpire in the novel.
Characters:
The Last Juror’s Willie Traynor is a young, ambitious journalist from the North and a former student of Syracuse University, but when his journey takes him to the American South, specifically Clanton, Mississippi, to cover a brutal criminal case, he finds himself in new territory that proves to be dangerous, hostile, and racist. Despite his adverse surroundings, Willie develops a friendship with an older black woman named Ms. Callie. She shows the hospitable, welcoming, and gracious side that he needs to counteract the volatile energy that the Clanton residents have for outsiders, especially those from the North, even if they are white. By the same token, Willie experiences constant disdain from legal officials as they question and challenge his publications surrounding the case during the first act of the story. The friendship between Willie and Ms. Callie is an endearing one that helps placate the racial animus in the Deep South. Grisham depicted Ms. Callie as an astute matriarch, strict yet fair, a religious woman who understood that her role as a parent wasn’t just exclusively towards her biological children, but also for the children (Willie) who still needed to find their path to grow both spiritually and mentally. As the story progresses, Willie and Ms. Callie’s friendship strengthens; he looks to her for advice and guidance on how to approach the rising tension that not only revolves around the criminal case he has to write but also on navigating a labyrinth of racism, corruption, and bureaucracy.
I’ve never been to the South, let alone the Deep South, which is where this story takes place. Fortunately, Grisham described the town of Clanton and its surrounding environment with incredible detail, and his writing allows the reader to become immediately involved as a spectator in the story. To put it differently, reading the courtroom scenes in the first half of the novel reminded me how daunting the ambiance of courtrooms can look to someone who’s never been in one.
The one drawback that I have is regarding the supporting characters, specifically the antagonist, Danny Padgitt. I don’t think he has much character depth. His presence didn’t feel menacing or intimidating. However, Grisham remained consistent throughout the novel by reminding the reader of the danger posed by Padgitt, especially during the trial scenes in the first act and newspaper recounts of the Padgitt family history. Still, we never understood his thought process or saw the story from his perspective. In other words, this might be more prevalent in crime fiction, but adding a third-person POV from the antagonist’s perspective may have made him more of an intriguing character in terms of suspense and tension. Don’t get me wrong, Grisham wrote the novel the way he intended, only in first person. I selfishly wanted to read a balance of perspectives that switched from protagonist to antagonist, but I enjoyed his writing style nonetheless.
Writing
In the case of writing novels, storytelling is something a competent writer with a healthy imagination can accomplish, provided they have the right work ethic. Moreover, authors who write in genres that align with the profession for which they have expertise are ones with whom I have a lot of respect, because they possess the discernment to write storylines and develop an environment that feels genuine. For example, the depiction of the courtroom in The Last Juror was authentic, and the dialogue between the characters felt immersive, engrossing, and intense. Equally important, the novel is divided into three acts, and the story loses some momentum in the second act. In addition, the second act had my mind slightly wandering because I wanted the exhilarating pacing of the first act to carry over. However, Grisham’s writing style, specifically the “world-building” he demonstrated in the second act, held my attention. This second act provided the reader insight into everyday life in Mississippi after the abolition of segregation laws (Jim Crow Laws) and the impact it had on the decision-making of its residents.
My final thoughts on the novel
All in all, if you enjoy legal thrillers and have read John Grisham novels in the past, then this book will surely be a riveting read that has plenty of exciting moments that are suspenseful and poignant, but also grounded in terms of the relationship Willie Turner develops with the last juror, an integral character in Willie’s personal development who helps him throughout his journey gain a better understanding of a world he is unfamiliar with.
Book rating and grade
Rating: 3/5
Grade: B
When duty calls
Will you be ready to answer?
For this duty
If you’re chosen
Will require your complete service
Just so we’re clear
There is no way to avoid the final verdict
Nullifications are inevitable
And refusals to serve are met with dismissals
Everything said here is confidential
Not disclosing anything outside this room is essential
Every single one of you has the potential
To prevent the situation from becoming detrimental
So, the question remains
Will you answer
When duty calls?
Real Free - Flowing Words 