Review of the book 'The Broker'

Book Review
By Zain Siddiqui (Student in EnTC at SIT,Lonavala)

The Broker
Author: John Grisham Rating: ****

This was the first and remains till date the only book by John Grisham that I’ve ever read. Here is a story that resembles the plot of a Tom Hanks starrer suspense-thriller. It’s got this lovely screenplay kind of a feel to it, where the protagonist, Joel Backman, is the lead of a deadly chase choreographed across Europe and climaxing in Washington D.C., where it all started in the first place. Joel Backman is a big time broker in D.C. where his lobbying skills earn him the unofficial tag of the second most powerful man in D.C. He has everything. Money, power, a good home and an army of lawyers to bail him out of even hell. But riding his wave too far out into the sea, he is left stranded in deep waters by his greed. His attempt to double cross governments of Saudi Arabia and China in a deal involving the sale of ‘JAM’, a satellite control program, and millions of dollars lands him in a soup. He somehow ends up in US jail for fraud. His company is closed down and he owes a lot of people their money. But midway through his sentence, the US decides to release him under a false identity in Italy. He doesn’t know why. He lives the life he is assigned to, glad to be free. But slowly realizes a false motive and here begins the chase.
Enjoy it!
Sidney Sheldon was once asked what he would choose to do if he could not be a successful writer. His reply?
“An unsuccessful writer!”
“My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night!
But ah my foes and oh my friends
It gives a lovely light!”

- Roald Dahl