| TÃtulo : |
The last juror |
| Tipo de documento: |
texto impreso |
| Autores: |
Grisham, John, Autor |
| Editorial: |
New York [US] : A Dell Books |
| Fecha de publicación: |
2004 |
| Número de páginas: |
486 p. |
| Il.: |
18 cm. |
| Dimensiones: |
impreso |
| Idioma : |
Inglés (eng) Idioma original : Inglés (eng) |
| Palabras clave: |
AMERICAN LITERATURE, DETECTIVE NOVEL, JUROR - MURDER TRIALS |
| Resumen: |
In The Last Juror, published in 2004, John Grisham explores race relations and racism in the American South of the 1970s. Although the title may lead readers to expect a taut courtroom thriller like Grisham's earlier works, this character-driven novel follows the growing relationship between twenty three-year-old Willie Traynor, new owner of the Ford County Times, and Calia Ruffin, also known as "Miss Callie," a fifty nine-year old black woman. She is the mother of eight children, seven of whom have earned Ph.D.s—a remarkable accomplishment for the period. The "juror" of the title does refer to an important legal case that acts as the centerpiece for the book—Danny Padgitt's explosive trial for the rape and brutal murder of a young local widow. Convicted of the murder but sentenced to life imprisonment instead of death, Padgitt spends ten years in jail. When he gets out, jurors from his case start to die under mysterious circumstances.
Over the course of the story, Grisham introduces many of Clanton, Mississippi's residents and local characters, people like politicians, war veterans, and decaying aristocracy who make the town colorful and unique. |
| Nota de contenido: |
The book is narrated by Willie Traynor, a recent college dropout who has just started a job at the local newspaper in the fictional small town of Clanton, Mississippi. Although Willie has recently been forced to admit that he will never be the star reporter he once dreamed of being, a financial opportunity soon presents itself. The newspaper Willie works for goes bankrupt, and with a loan from his wealthy grandmother, Willie buys it so he can run it himself.
Shortly after becoming editor, Willie learns of the brutal rape and murder of a young widow in the village. Before her death, Rhoda Kassellaw accused Danny Padgitt, the son of a local family, of bootlegging and crime. Willy rushes to cover the story, publishing a photo of Danny covered in blood shortly after his arrest. When the case goes to trial, Danny's defense attorney, Lucien Wilbanks, accuses Willie of sensationalizing the case and requests a change of venue based on Willie's coverage. However, the judge rules that Willie's newspaper has done nothing wrong.
As he continues to cover the case, Willie sees his newspaper subscriptions grow. However, he also becomes the target of threats and intimidation. Willie buys a gun to defend himself and continues printing stories about Danny. In addition, Willie also begins a series of interviews with a prominent local African American family, the Ruffins, about whom he is interested in writing a story. When he publishes his profile of the Ruffins, the African American community applauds Willie, although some of his newspaper's white employees are uncomfortable with the material.
Meanwhile, jury selection begins for Danny's trial. Since Danny is a member of a wealthy and unscrupulous family, there is concern that his family will try to bribe the jury. Callie Ruffin, the family matriarch Willie recently interviewed, is selected to be the first African American to serve on a jury in Clanton. Opposed to the death penalty, Callie does not want to serve on a jury where the possible outcome could be a death sentence; however, also dedicated to fighting for civil rights, she feels it is her duty to serve on the jury.
Danny is soon convicted of rape and murder, largely due to the testimony of a single witness who discredits his alibi. Before the jury can pass sentence, Danny threatens to kill them all. Shocked, the jury ultimately decides to sentence Danny to life in prison instead of death.
From prison, Danny begins a quest for revenge. First, the witness who secured his conviction is murdered. The murder occurs in another county, and the sheriff decides not to pursue the case so as not to risk angering the Padgitt family.
A few years pass without incident. Willie's newspaper becomes a significant force in the community. Willie continues to monitor Danny and blocks his first attempt at parole. However, during his second parole hearing, Danny is released after serving nine years. Shortly after, two of the original jurors are killed by a sniper.
Danny's involvement in the murders cannot be proven, but many of the surviving jurors are scared. The Black community rallies around Callie to protect her. A third juror narrowly escapes death, and Callie mentions to Danny that the jurors being targeted are the ones who opposed the death penalty for Danny.
After the third murder attempt, Danny is arrested. During the bail hearing, a sniper hiding in the rafters shot him, and he subsequently committed suicide. The killer is Hank Hooten, one of the prosecutors on the original case and Rhoda Kassellaw's lover. Hank had been waiting for Danny's release to exact revenge on the killer and those who didn't support the death penalty.
Willie investigates Hank and discovers that he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after the trial. Hank was obsessed with Rhoda's murder because he was in love with her. Willie eventually discovers that although Danny murdered Rhoda, Hank was responsible for all the subsequent murders.
Willie publishes his findings, which become his newspaper's last major front page. Shortly after, a major national newspaper chain shows interest in buying the paper. Willie sells it for a large sum. Shortly after, he learns that Callie has died of a heart attack. Willie's last act as editor is to write her obituary. |
| Ubicación : |
813.30872/G814l |
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