The Confession: A Novel

John Grisham is my favorite author so I'm biased....
But this was well-written and informative, hard to listen to at times, and well-researched.

The first novel I read by this author. It immerses you in the legal system of Texas and the underlying racism, hatred, and classism. It also explores the particular religiosity of these communities. The novel transforms into a narrative the question that is always present when discussing the death penalty: What happens if an innocent person is killed? And in the specific context of the United States, even more so: Why are the condemned predominantly Black while those who judge and condemn them are predominantly white? To what extent is there a latent civil war in all of this? (Translated from Spanish)

Grisham does not disappoint with this book. It is an extremely entertaining story that covers three significant moments: the crime, the punishment, and the absolution. The book, like the best of the author, narrates events in a compact and fast manner, highlighting a legal incident that leaves much to ponder about the judicial system in the United States.

The plot concerns a conviction against an innocent person (no spoiler because this is known from the beginning of the book); the adversities that their lawyer must face to prove that innocence; the possibility of manipulation in the hands of those who exercise prosecutorial power; the drawbacks of the death penalty; racial discrimination; and many other interesting aspects that are significant due to their relevance.

The author sketches some very interesting characters and spares no words in fully developing them. He takes his time to very well develop their fundamental characteristics and to present them to us as readers, making it mandatory to feel something for them. You love them, you despise them, you wish they never existed.

I found it very interesting how he develops the theme of the death penalty. It leaves much to think about. On one hand, undoubtedly, there is that fervor to punish those who commit heinous crimes; to teach the potential criminal what the consequences of their actions will be. But on the other hand, there is the firm question: Are our judicial systems so developed as to incorporate the death penalty? Are those systems infallible to prevent mistakes? Being for or against it will depend on the particular situations each evaluator has had to go through.

It is worth noting how the author develops the themes of repentance and forgiveness. How it can vary depending on people's feelings. When that repentance is truly valuable. That is known. And, therefore, when it is actually possible to forgive. (Translated from Spanish)

I gave up on this book halfway through as it was interminably dull. I couldn't warm to any of the characters, and as this was the first Grisham book I have read, it would not encourage me to read any othes

The Confession is a book that undoubtedly awakens many feelings. It keeps you with an incessant adrenaline rush and makes you reflect on many legal aspects that some countries have and whether to believe they are necessary or not. It is the first book I read by Grishan, and I think the parts I liked the most were Donte's narrations, as seeing from the inside how he felt on death row and what it was like to be there was very intimate and touched me deeply. (Translated from Spanish)

Good book about how a town and people are torn apart over the execution of an innocent person. The first half of the book was a little drawn out and slow but the second half was better.

A book that makes you think about the death penalty and about the state's "right to kill." It also demonstrates the difference between black and white defendants, with the former always being the most disadvantaged in front of white juries. An excellent book in which Grisham misses no details and never fails to criticize the American system. (Translated from Spanish)

I had a hard time believing the book. The police getting the confession out of the innocent man - no way. The father not being allowed to see his son - someone would let him in. The Judge and District Attorney having an affair - give it a rest. The minister illegally driving the parolee across State lines - I kept thinking he is not that stupid. I just could not believe an execution would get that far based on all the lies and corrupt ways people behaved.
3,247 members; 3.71 average rating; 9/7/2019

I read this when it first came out and enjoyed it. I am not going to write a full review now as I would not be able to do it justice.

Grisham always is good, but I was hesitant to continue reading this book because it seemed so slow starting. I was about 150 pages into it when I realized I was hooked. This story about the death sentence is intriguing. Makes a strong, strong case against putting people to death, even for the most heinous crimes. Grisham emphasizes the anti-death penalty point of view, but he ignores the argument for death. When there is absolutely no doubt that a person is a killer, why should society continue to pay to support him/her for the rest of her/his life? The biblical injunction against killing jiust does not seem sufficient when we face some of the most horrible killers in history.

Typical Grisham novel, although I liked its ending. Grisham always wants to impart a critique of the American system. (Translated from Spanish)

Not much to say about this one really. It started out like one of his earlier books and then just started to go down hill. There was just so much useless detail and I found myself doing a lot of skimming.

Not Grisham's finest, but the man can write a good story. Unfortunately here, he gets really preachy in his loathing of the death penalty (and Texas). Consequently, the characters stop being interesting and become mere voices for his talking points. Corruption, yes, racial prejudice, certainly, but reducing the principal characters to all good and all bad doesn't make great reading. An okay beach read and that's about it.

Very interesting. The main body of the book was Grisham at his absolute best. Just when you thought the story was going to end (Wait! what are all these extra pages?)... he took you beyond the end of the story, and you realized that this was what you were waiting for. Then, when you though the story would REALLY end (but there are still more pages?) Grisham got a bit preachy and political, but in such a way that it was totally in keeping with the book.

Well done.

Anticipating a very long plane trip, I looked for an audiobook that would keep me engaged and interested and would last long enough to get me through the return flight. My thoughts immediately went to a John Grisham novel. I like Grisham for a number of reasons, one being that his books never fail to entertain. I chose The Confession, a title that already resided on my shelf (my husband read it years ago). It was a great choice. Not only did it make the miles literally fly by, but it challenged and expanded my beliefs on capital punishment. A controversial topic to be sure, The Confession examines what it means if an innocent man is sentenced to death. All aspects are included: the media circus, the political climate, the heartbreak of the families on both sides, and the spiritual implications of the ultimate punishment. The story is full of twists and turns, the characters are intriguing, and the subject matter handled in a mostly even-handed manner. I think it is safe to say that Grisham writes from an anti-death penalty standpoint, a view that I also hold, though for probably different reasons. Grisham didn’t change my mind about anything, but he did cause me to see the whole process surrounding death penalty cases in a new light. An engrossing read, I recommend The Confession.

The story opens with a confession from career criminal Travis Boyette to a Lutheran pastor. Keith Schroeder doesn’t really know what to do with Travis or his statement that an innocent man is about to be executed in Texas. What follows is a race to bring the confession to light, something that is met with resistance and dismissal from all parties concerned. Travis and Keith are interesting main characters. They cannot be more different — one who has lived a life taking and manipulating, another who earnestly desires to do the right thing. Their unlikely partnership makes for good drama. Grisham’s portrayal of the circus that surrounds the upcoming execution rings true. Media, groupies, politicians, all make the situation bizarre and disturbing. While The Confession is not Christian fiction, three pastors make an appearance and an impact on the story. Keith’s views are, of course, front and center, but Grisham also shares the feelings and thoughts of the pastors of the victim’s family and the accused’s family. The three struggle in varying ways — also very realistic. The Confession is dark, so don’t expect a feel good ending. This book is one to make you think, whichever side of the debate you find yourself on.

Excellent but sad. Heart wrenching when Roberta is washing her son's body.

One of John Grisham's best books in recent years. Tight plot, not cliche, simple and yet effective writing. Also simple and yet powerful message - do the right thing like the pastor in the story, and you won't regret it.

This could have been an interesting subject but the book was too predictable. At some point I realized that I didn't like any of the characters and didn't care what they did or what happened to them.

From the very first sentences I knew that this book would be a quick read as I was drawn ever deeper into the world of Texas Justice and death row. The imminent death of a convicted murderer and the unlikely characters who aim to save his life make this intriguing story one which keeps the reader up late at night wanting to turn the next page to discover what happens next.

While this is a wonderful work of fiction, the harsh reality of life is that many convicted murderers claim innocence. Some are. Society needs to make sure that the convicted person is, in fact, guilty of the crime for which they have been convicted.

Sometimes I get a book that touches a subject that is large in my environment, and this book is just that. Currently, there are two death penalty cases in my state and it is making me examine my feeling on executing a murderer. My head knows the death penalty is only a deterrent to the convicted person but it is a permanent one. My heart doesn't want to think about death, mine or anyone else's. In this book, the convicted man is not guilty, but is executed anyway. The guilty man confesses right before the execution is scheduled, but he isn't believed until after he takes people to the body. Even with this, nothing changes. The state will not stop putting people on death row. As usual, John Grisham writes an riveting issue story. But so did Erle Stanley Garner in his Perry Mason series.

This book contains John Grisham's comments against (1) the death penalty and (2) Texas. Some may say that it's impossible, that a set of circumstances could conspire to enable a state to put an innocent man to death. Why? the multiple characters were well developed and contributed to the theme. As a non legal person, I'm amazed at his insights and happy that I've not tangled with the US legal system. The book was a page turner and burner.

grisham at his best. wher does he keep finding the material ? Time to buy books and complete my Grisham collection

Now, most of know how execution-happy Texas is, but the circumstances defining the plot of this book are rather far-fetched, even if racist crazies get their way. The prosecutor is having an affair with the judge. There Is no physical evidence, only a confession obtained under duress (and the record of it is not remotely convincing at that as the interrogator is prompting him for certain "facts" that was said incorrectly. A phone call long after the murder by a classmate who has an axe to grind, bearing false testimony. The testimony of a "jailhouse snitch" who says what he is told to say in return for a lighter sentence. It's outrageous that anyone in modern times (and this is set in modern-day Texas) would be convicted by a jury (made partial by the judge/prosecutor relationship) would even be convicted in this circumstance, let alone given the death penalty. Even more outlandish is appeals all along the way did not stop this travesty.

In spite of a ludicrous premise, Grisham puts enough effort into the characters to save the book. The real killer identifies himself at the 11th hour to a priest in Kansas, who decides he needs to make an effort to save the wrongfully-convicted prisoner on the eve of his execution. The priest, the killer, the defense lawyer are all well-done characters. The governor in particular is such a despicable person that true hatred develops as the story goes on. While the premise is implausible, characterization and related events seem to be authentic within its context.

excellent portrayal of a judicial system, hopefully not a true portrayal of the Texas system.

John Grisham's diatribe against (1) the death penalty (DP) and (2) Texas.

The problem with political and religious diatribes pretending to be novels is that the plots are obvious from the beginning and the characters have the depth and color of monochromatic paper-dolls. The characters in The Confession are not monochromatic paper-dolls because paper-dolls are two dimensional and these characters are one dimensional.

Grisham hates the DP and his 'proof' is that in a state where every single public official is totally corrupt, i.e. Texas, it is possible that an innocent person may be convicted and executed.

Well, duh?

A valid 'proof' against the DP would not be a novel but a history of the DP along with a cogent argument that even the worst offender in history, e.g. Himmler, should be spared.

The story centers on a black high school football player who was convicted of murdering a white high school cheerleader--although no body was found and only one girl was missing. But then, just before the sentence is to be carried out, a low life, who is dying of cancer, confesses to the main character. The MC is a lawyer--of course--who tries to get a stay of execution in time to dig up the body. [Warning: Plot spoiler next sentence.] He fails because every official in Texas, including the Federal judges, is totally corrupt and also a white supremacist, anti-black racist.

Grisham tries but fails to make this believable.

The Pope has a better argument against the DP. You may google it online. But the Pope doesn't hate Texas. So if you hate Texas and the DP, you might enjoy this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Grisham novel. Know going in that this book has a bias against the death penalty. I noticed that many people were perturbed by this and also felt that this was a soap box novel. I wasn't bothered by any of these aspects. This was one of the better Grisham novel for several reasons.

Usually, his novels run 300 pages and at times have ended abruptly. Grisham did not limit himself this time and the story unfolded over 515 pages. The size was necessary to the story and had he tried to edit it to less pages and words, I think the telling of the story would have suffered.

In this book, unlike others, there were a few more twists and I would say, more of a realistic reflection on what happens. The day was not saved. An innocent man was put to death despite the race against time in the first third of the book. There were also some story lines that were set up and got you thinking that something might happen that did not play out. A little bit of mystery.

There were a lot of characters - more than the average for one of his novels. Paths converged but there were enough characters that left you with some to like and to some to hate and some not to feel anything about. Like many books, there were a few things that happened that were either unbelievable or unlikely but these did not detract from the bigger story.

Having worked for many years in the legal business I enjoyed the truth of justice not being black and white. I also enjoyed the truth that there are a lot of corrupt people in this business. Many cops, many attorneys and many judges. Don't be fooled into thinking idealistically about those who are supposed to uphold the law. More often than not, they are driven by self interest and politics, egotistical narcissism and corruption. The bigger the legal issue, the more likely to find these qualities and they were all in display in The Confession.

Grisham is my little escape between other reads because I know it will be a fast read and I will be fully engaged. 48 hours well spent. If you can enjoy a biased opinion on the death penalty, you will probably really enjoy this book. If an opinion that doesn't jive with yours drives you crazy - give this one a miss and read The Firm. It's my other favorite Grisham.

rabck from southernfryed; Wow. A book that leaves you with a lot to think about. Very good, until the last chapter which tied things in a bow too quickly and nicely. Donte is convicted of murdering a white girl, based on his coerced confession. Just days before his execution in Texas, a convict on parole walks into a Lutheran pastors office and says that he did the crime, not Donte, and he wants to make things right. They finally set off on a madcap rush to Texas, so the man can file an affidavit with Donte's lawyer, but it's too late. The governor ignored the video (suppressed by his staffers), the circuit judge closes his office exactly at 5p to play golf, despite knowing this appeal is coming in, the detective swears the confession was not coerced, and the execution of an innocent black man sparks major unrest in the town. Eventually, the true killer leads Donte's lawyer to the body and Donte's is exonerated...after he's dead. I particularly liked the views throughout the book from the pastor, Keith, as he wrestles with something he hadn't really thought through before - What give us the right to kill in the name of justice? Ever? The book affecting me powerfully in getting me to really think about my own position on the death penalty - and if it ever should be used.

“The prosecution’s theory of guilt had been based in part on the desperate hope that one day, someone, somewhere would find Nicole’s body”

A murderer confesses to a minister. A wrongly convicted man is headed for the death chamber. Can justice prevail?

Grisham is pounding on his social justice soapbox loudly with this one: we hit capital punishment, race relations and church bureaucracy. He’s back to his Street Lawyer activism by writing (I think, anyway; it might all be a ploy to sell more copies). And yet there is a sad despondency to it all; nothing really changes. Without wanting to have spoilers, it doesn’t turn out as well as one might hope, and the epilogue suggests that nothing will ever really change.

Grisham is back to writing memorable characters and in The Confession he has two “good guys” worth talking about (my other favourite Grishams had one very strong lead – The Rainmaker, The Street Lawyer, The Testament): Robbie Flak and Keith Schroeder. Robbie is brilliantly combative and tender at once; it is clear that the family of the wrongly accused are very close to his heart, but I wouldn’t want to be a politician in his cross-hairs. Schroeder is the opposite – a softly spoken Kansas church minister with a litany of home commitments, who finds his calling in helping a self-confessed murderer and rapist cross state borders to stop misguided justice’s wheels.

As in The Testament there is no shortage to our comic cast of ridicule; Reena Yarber is one of the truest, least self-aware mountains of hypocrisy I’ve ever come across in literature. That she is prepared to exhaust her family and friends to fuel the spiral of her attention-seeking grief makes her eventual mockery on television cruelly suitable. And as for Boyette – no attempts to redeem him from his sleazy, filthy existence are made, he just trundles along being as disgusting as a cloud of noxious cigarette smoke.

The pace drags a little in the build-up: will Boyette go south or won’t he? The race riots are over-built (although still powerful) and there’s too much time spent in the governor’s office. Otherwise, the plot works well – and I was surprised that the book reached a fully fleshed-out conclusion well after the climax, an unfortunately rare occurrence in thrillers.

If you felt Grisham lost his way with Playing for Pizza and The Painted House, he’s back on the road with this one.

The storyline is completely boring, pointless, and unsatisfying. I'd give it one star, but Grisham still knows how to write, he's just apparently forgotten that he needs a good story too.

I didn't like this one as well as some of his others, but it wasn't horrible.