Just finished rereading this amazing book. This isn't one of Grisham's more popular stories however this book was a life transforming experience for me. Two issues this book forced me to deal with on my first reading in 1994: 1) How can people - any people, "Cluckers" (KKK), the Taliban, street gangs,Fred Phelps and congregation, boy soldiers of Sierra Leone, contract killers, even bullies, et al - be so cruel and mean and hateful? Where is compassion? How did they miss that piece of life? How could even members of my own family be so racist (all from Arkansas)? 2)Do I truly oppose the death penalty or do I just "tout" that I oppose the death penalty?

Good to read this again and be reminded of my own compassion and convictions. Pps 400-401 are the magic ones for me. Adam looking at the picture of Sam, his grandfather at 15, celebrating the lynching of a black man with neighbors and family - "He studied the clear, beautiful eyes of his grandfather and his heart ached. He was just a boy, born and reared in a household where hatred of blacks and others was simply a way of life. How much of it could be blamed on him? Look at those around him, his father, family, friends and neighbors, all probably honest, poor, hardworking people caught for the moment at the end of a cruel ceremony that was commonplace in their society. Sam didn't have a chance. This was the only world he knew. . . . would Adam have been right there in the middle of them if he had been born forty years earlier? . . .How is God's world could Sam Cayhall have become anything other than himself?"

Certainly that is not the answer in every circumstance - there is still the nature or nurture question. But this book cemented my own understanding of "situatedness" and has informed my compassionate self, assisted in transforming my spiritual sense to a place of understanding. Not every time, of course, but often.

And the death penalty? Absolutely not. No gas chamber, no lethal injection, no firing squad. However, I always add this caveat: I have never had a loved one who has been a victim of a capital crime. I would hope that my convictions would remain if that were ever the case.

This is a brick about an asshole on a death row. Almost nothing happens in this book. A book to a fans of jurisprudence, I guess. Because complaining in a nicely worded manner to the court of law is why these people exist. I really don't want to read about paperwork and sad people who are sad, because one man has been a giant dick. You know what, I'll save you some time and here's the whole morale, without wasting time on this 500+ pager brick - don't be a dick to other people, "mkey".

This book definitely makes the reader rethink the issue of the death penalty.

Ho impiegato un po' a leggerlo ma come sapete io leggo più libri contemporaneamente. Comunque devo dire che è stato pure istruttivo. Intendo sul KKK perchè dai libri di storia non avevo capito molto. Quanto alla pena di morte sono contraria. Avevo fatto pure un tema a scuola e non ho mai cambiato idea.

I started reading this book in December. Why did it take me so long to finish it? Because of the topic: death row, KKK, racism plus I saw the movie before reading it. I am strongly against death row and I can't believe something so inhumane can be legal. These things are so horrible and painful to read and because of that I've read it only a couple of times a month. It made me feel so sad every time I read it. It's a great book, amazing writing, but really sad. You can't read it with a dry eye. I didn't.

titular sentence:
p95: It was Phillip Naifeh who led him next door to the Chamber Room, and supervised the strapping of the legs, arms, and head.

Quite moving. A few loose ends more than I would have preferred.

A few vague items seemed familiar. I'm not ready to concede that I've read this before, though. But I just might have.

This was quite an unfortunate book as I've experienced around 12h of power outage in the course of reading this book. Plus my notes somehow got lost.

Never liked this one. Still not sure what this was actually about. But with this it became obvious he had something to say about some things , which he would in his subsequent books.

The Chamber was a very different style than other Grisham books I’ve read. His style and voice is still there of course. But it’s a story of the horror that is death row from the perspective of an inmate and his lawyer. You see the sights and experience the life of one sentenced to die. A very well written book despite its overall slower pace than other Grisham thrillers. Are you in favor of the death penalty or not? Your opinion might be back and forth several times as you follow this story. I know mine was.

I thought this was one of the most impacting novels I have read for a long time. Grisham thoroughly explores the implications of the death penalty and creates a well-rounded and complex character in Sam Cayhall. You come to hate him and pity him, asking yourself whether he really deserves death and cheering Adam on as he tries to save him. A book I will never forget.

Otro libro 100% recomendable de Grisham, como muestra el sistema judicial de Estados Unidos y como entra en los sentimientos de los personajes... Como me gusta que este autor haga una critica tan fiel al sistema judicial y a los abogados!!!

Grisham is clearly against the death penalty, as are all of his likable characters in this book. However, after accepting that Grisham had an agenda, I enjoyed the ride. Grisham's characters felt real. I found myself loving and hating Sam Cayhall at various times, and above all, I kept wondering if he should be saved from his impending death just to rot in his cell. The book could have been condensed, but despite its length, it was well-written, enjoyable, and thoughtful.

This book was an emotional read right up until the very last page; I've laughed and I've cried. Whilst this story is fiction, it's all too real to me.

Regardless of your view on the Death Penalty you should read this book. It will make you examine your thoughts and reasoning. Even if you're certain in your belief, just give it a chance, it really is thought provoking.

I will write a full review of this when I'm able to, but in the meantime my thoughts above sum this book up. Well done, Grisham