Scott Turow: A Critical Companion
Andrew F. & Gina Macdonald
(Reviewer - Narayan Radhakrishnan)
2005 Greenwood Press
ISBN: 0313331154

A stylish critical companion for the works of this bestselling lawyer-author.

Scott Turow is a novelist, lawyer, & humanist who has fused his two passions, writing & the law, to create provocative novels that raise significant legal issues & test the justice of present laws. In all of his books, Turow reveals the moral ambiguities that afflict both accuser & accused, & challenges his readers to reconsider their preconceived notions of justice.

Sr. Associate Reviewer Narayan Radhakrishnan writes:

I had the privilege of reviewing Libby Hughes' The John Grisham Story the story of that legal thriller superstar, so when this book, a comprehensive critical companion of the other legal thriller superstar Scott Turow reached me, I was overjoyed.

Though the subjects in both works are lawyer-novelists, the way the authors' approach their subjects are in no way similar. The John Grisham Story is biography written in the style of a story; whereas Scott Turow: A Critical Companion is a comprehensive, analytical & critical study of the author's novels & works.

Andrew & Gina Macdonald have clearly done their research -- & their hard work has paid off: from the struggling writer who finds it hard to get even a short story published to the most widely read & respected among legal thriller authors, Turow's life has been tumultuous. With two novels completed & no takers -- any other author would have been dejected -- but not Turow. His persistence paid off, until finally One L, about his life & experiences as a first year Harvard law student, was published in the 1970s. But again, Turow had to wait a decade for Presumed Innocent to bring him the fame & popularity he sought. Thus, in succinct detail the growth of Turow, both as a lawyer & a writer, is told.

The book also provides a complete bibliography of Turow's works as well as detailing many books & articles written about him. Each novel, right from Presumed Innocent (1987), to Reversible Error (2002), is meticulously delineated including plot analysis & character studies.

I found the book extremely useful, & as a seasoned Turow reader & proud collector of all his works, I got certain interesting & amusing tidbits, like... did you know Turow has about 10 short stories to his credit, which he has kept hidden away? Did you know that his first two fiction attempts Dithyramb & The Way Things Are still remain unpublished…..?

Scott Turow: A Critical Companion is comprehensive, much needed & highly recommended.

More from the Macdonalds:
Jane Austen on Screen
Robert Ludlum: A Critical Companion
James Clavell
Shape-Shifting: Images of Native Americans in Recent Popular Fiction.

Do catch Narayan's informative Interview with these two authors.
(10/09/05)

Narayan
2005©Narayan Radhakrishnan
A RebeccasReads.Com Sr. Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
I am a 26 years old lawyer practicing in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Along with my legal practice, I have finished post-graduate studies for both Business Law & Human Rights. I am a self proclaimed numero-uno legal thriller lover & am the proud owner of all of Grisham's & Turow's novels. I enjoy John Mortimer's Rumpole & relish an occasional Martini & a rare Scot(ch)t-oline with a Patterson on the side.

My work A FICTION OF LAW is now about 500 pages in length & features 500 lawyer authors & 2000 legal thrillers covering a 300 year period - inclusive of entries from the USA, UK, Asia, Europe, China, Middle East etc. Still in search of a publisher.
www.keralatourism.org