The Innocent Man by John Grisham
Category: True Crime Grade: B-
I'm not crazy about true crime books, so maybe I'm biased on this one, but I really think Grisham should stick to his fiction. He has definitely done a lot of research on this crime - a wrongful conviction that took place in Oklahoma in the early 70s. He's able to include lots of dialog to make this a really quick read.
There are two basic problems with the book. First and foremost, the story around the crime and the trials just isn't all that interesting. To make matters worse, the second problem is that Grisham pretty explicitly tells us how its all going to work within the first few pages. He then reinforces the direction with his comments and tone thoughout the book. There's just no suspense at all. Ultimately, I think that's why I don't like this kind of book. It takes a really talented writer to make you interested in a trip to a place you already no about. It can be done. If you want a good example of this genre, try Norman Mailer's Executioner's Song.
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If you liked the Innocent Man may I suggest the companion book to it. I wrote something about it here.Who And Where Is Dennis Fritz, You say after reading John Grisham's Wonderful Book "The Innocent man", Grisham's First non-fiction book. The Other Innocent Man hardly mentioned in "The Innocent Man" has his own compelling and fascinating story to tell in "Journey Toward Justice". John Grisham endorsed Dennis Fritz's Book on the Front Cover. Dennis Fritz wrote his Book Published by Seven Locks Press, to bring awareness about False Convictions, and The Death Penalty. "Journey Toward Justice" is a testimony to the Triumph of the Human Spirit and is a Stunning and Shocking Memoir. Dennis Fritz was wrongfully convicted of murder after a swift trail. The only thing that saved him from the Death Penalty was a lone vote from a juror. "The Innocent Man" by John Grisham is all about Ronnie Williamson, Dennis Fritz's was his co-defendant. Ronnie Williamson was sentenced to the Death Penalty. Both were exonerated after spending 12 years in prison. Both Freed by a simple DNA test, The real killer was one of the Prosecution's Key Witness. John Grisham's "The Innocent Man" tells half the story. Dennis Fritz's Story needs to be heard. Read about how he wrote hundreds of letters and appellate briefs in his own defense and immersed himself in an intense study of law. He was a school teacher and a ordinary man from Ada Oklahoma, whose wife was brutally murdered in 1975. On May 8, 1987 while raising his young daughter alone, he was put under arrest and on his way to jail on charges of rape and murder. Since then, it has been a long hard road filled with twist and turns. Dennis Fritz is now on his "Journey Toward Justice". He never blamed the Lord and soley relied on his faith in God to make it through. He waited for God's time and never gave up.
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