69 pages • 2 hours read
The Street Lawyer
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Book Brief
384
Novel • Fiction
Washington, D.C. • 1990s
1998
Adult
18+ years
520L
Super Short Summary
Set in 1990s Washington, DC, John Grisham’s The Street Lawyer follows Michael Brock, a successful antitrust lawyer, who reevaluates his career and life after a homeless man, DeVon Hardy, holds him and his colleagues hostage. Michael leaves his high-paying job to join the 14th Street Legal Clinic, uncovering his former firm's corrupt involvement in illegal evictions and ultimately fighting for justice alongside his new mentor, Mordecai Green. Topics addressed include homelessness and systemic injustice.
Challenging
Informative
Emotional
Dark
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
131,181 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Street Lawyer by John Grisham offers a compassionate, engaging narrative exploring homelessness and legal ethics. While some readers appreciate its social message and strong character development, others feel the plot lacks the usual suspense associated with Grisham's work. The book is praised for raising awareness but criticized for a slower pace.
Who Should Read The Street Lawyer?
Readers who enjoy legal dramas with a social justice bent, such as John Grisham’s The Street Lawyer, will likely be captivated by the book’s focus on homelessness and ethical dilemmas. Comparable titles include Grisham’s A Time to Kill and Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer, appealing to fans of engaging, morally complex legal stories.
131,181 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Mordecai Green
Mordecai Green
A towering and impactful figure in the narrative, Mordecai serves as a mentor to Michael, introducing him to the challenges of representing less-resourced clients and embodying an unwavering dedication to justice.
Drake & Sweeney
Drake & Sweeney
Representing the antagonist force in the story, this powerful law firm embodies the corrupting influence of corporate greed and prioritization of profit over ethics, serving as a foil to Michael's evolving principles.
384
Novel • Fiction
Washington, D.C. • 1990s
1998
Adult
18+ years
520L
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