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    The Rainmaker
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    The Rainmaker
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    The Rainmaker
    Audiobook (abridged)6 hours

    The Rainmaker

    Written by John Grisham

    Narrated by Michael Beck

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    John Grisham's five novels -- A Time To Kill, The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, and The Chamber -- have been number one best-sellers, and have a combined total of 47 million copies in print. Now, inThe Rainmaker, Grisham returns to the courtroom for the first time since A Time To Kill, and weaves a riveting tale of legal intrigue and corporate greed. Combining suspense, narrative momentum, and humor as only John Grisham can, this is another spellbinding read from the most popular author of our time.

    Grisham's sixth spellbinding novel of legal intrigue and corporate greed displays all of the intricate plotting, fast-paced action, humor, and suspense that have made him the most popular author of our time. In his first courtroom thriller since A Time To Kill, John Grisham tells the story of a young man barely out of law school who finds himself taking on one of the most powerful, corrupt, and ruthless companies in America -- and exposing a complex, multibillion-dollar insurance scam. In hs final semester of law school Rudy Baylor is required to provide free legal advice to a group of senior citizens, and it is there that he meets his first "clients," Dot and Buddy Black. Their son, Donny Ray, is dying of leukemia, and their insurance company has flatly refused to pay for his medical treatments. While Rudy is at first skeptical, he soon realizes that the Blacks really have been shockingly mistreated by the huge company, and that he just may have stumbled upon one of the largest insurance frauds anyone's ever seen -- and one of the most lucrative and important cases in the history of civil litigation. The problem is, Rudy's flat broke, has no job, hasn't even passed the bar, and is about to go head-to-head with one of the best defense attorneys -- and powerful industries -- in America.


    From the Hardcover edition.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateJul 5, 2000
    ISBN9780553750942
    Unavailable
    The Rainmaker

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    Reviews for The Rainmaker

    3.5/5

    1,814 ratings32 reviews

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    • 5/5
      great story
    • 4/5
      Relate able...
    • 4/5
      I really liked this book overall, it had a great beginning, great intermediate and excellent courtroom action however I found the ending to be a bit of a let down. I understand where the author was going with it, however I found it didn't really fit the tone of the book for a character whose been fighting hard and overcome some pretty significant adversity to take the course he did.
    • 4/5
      Check your insurance policies after reading this
    • 4/5
      One of my favourite Grisham books. Great drama in the courtroom as Rudy Baylor, novice lawyer sues established, wealthy insurance company Great Benefit. Their crime? Repeatedly denying the claim of a terminally ill young man apparently just because they could...or so they thought.

      This book really brings out some important lessons; that in the end, big dreams of wealth, success and power usually end up as just that--dreams! Those that do make it often find that the end result is not what they were seeking so they end up striving for more, and more, and more.....and so it goes on. I think it was Jim Carey who said that he wished everyone could be rich and famous so that then they would realise it wasn't the answer....I love the end of this novel as Baylor realises what's really important to him.

      There is some swearing in this book and some violence which in places is quite graphic. There is also a domestic violence storyline and some mild sexual innuendo.
    • 3/5
      Meh. I liked the main character thought process and how he was written.
    • 4/5
      The beginning is quite boring to be honest, but if you survive, you'll find interesting story about lawyer and his client. About how his struggle facing big fat company and big fat lawyer. This book also talk about idealism in the law world.
    • 3/5
      This book is dry. Slow. Boring. I'm only to Chapter 33 and I'm using it as a sleeping aid. It has such limited forward motion. Still want to finish, as I want to know what happens, so more to come, but a very MEH offering.
    • 4/5
      This is one of Grisham's best. I loved cheering for the underdog. I loved him sticking it to the crooked insurance company.
    • 4/5
      It's been a while since I've picked up a John Grisham book. This one is well developed and really maintains your interest. The main character, Rudy Baylor, is believable and likable. He recently graduates law school to discover his prospective job offer is no longer valid. He stumbles across the case of a lifetime. The lawsuit involves the insurance industry and a typical family that seems as if they have lost the battle with the insurance giant.
    • 4/5
      Good story, worth a read.
    • 4/5
      Fast-paced legal thriller!An amazing legal thriller. The story has a little bit of everything; from the law student who finds himself in the role of David versus Goliath, the comical character played by Deck, there are the complimentary thugs and the token beautiful woman. Grisham weaves the story together magically and it makes for a very exciting read, building into a crescendo at the end with an unexpected twist. While you read it all kinds of emotions penetrate your heart and soul.At one time you can be close to tears.At another time a smile can be curved on your face.In addition don't feel surprised if you catch yourself jittering with excitement over the final outcome of the facts being laid ahead of you.
    • 3/5
      I haven't read a John Grisham book since I was in Junior High, but I enjoyed them then, so I was expecting a lot from The Rainmaker. On some level, it delivered, but it was a mixed bag. The problem is the book concentrates on the life of the main character Rudy Baylor much more than the legal drama side of the novel, in contrast to what I remember about Grisham's other books. The first two hundred pages drag on as the character deals with personal issues I found difficult to care about. When we finally see Rudy Baylor sue the villain of the story, insurance titan Great Benefit, the book changes completely. It is a page-turner and you can't put it down. There are some great moments, some of the best court room drama Grisham has written. But because of the lackluster beginning, it's hard to fully endorse this book.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book, finally, the insurance company gets its due. I also loved the movie .
    • 5/5
      Third year law student, young Rudy Baylor has a moment to envision himself a Rainmaker-a shooting star- bringing his first wealthy client to the firm he'd been hired by. He would revel in the fact that his father would abhore his son's success as just another dirty lawyer. The rains come, but not as he expected. In fact, he finds himself deluged withbankruptcy, eviction, and losing his job before he'd even started. Although drowning himself, a mother implores him to save her son by gaining insurance coverage for surgery that would save his life. Realism of the job hits him hard, and the only solace he finds is in the precarious company of a beaten wife.
    • 4/5
      First of all an interesting insight into the way the legal profession in the USA take on graduates. I thought the story on the way Rudy was 'used' and manipulated in trying to work his way into the profession was exeptionally good and the court case was exceptional, albeit the way he was looked after by the judge was far fetching. Characters such as his assistant Deck and Miss Birdie plus the supporting cast were very interesting. However, I had major issues with the 2nd story-line - his relationship with Kelly and the murder of Cliff. Sorry, but we entered'Dynasty' country here and I just felt it was all too ridiculous. A pity as the major storyline was gripping.
    • 4/5
      Great story. Always like to see the insurance companies take the hit they deserve.
    • 4/5
      Classic Grisham at his best.
    • 5/5
      Grisham is not always great--but I still buy and read all his books. The Rainmaker is far and away my favorite. Funny, good mystery, great characters.
    • 5/5
      I know it's schlock, but I love it.
    • 4/5
      This kept me entertained the whole time, but I did find the ending a little weird. Anyone who likes a good battle between the big business and the little guy should check it out. He's a lawyer fresh out of school. They have the best legal time available. There's no doubt the insurance company is wrong so everyone seems eager to help him out.
    • 5/5
      I enjoyed this Grisham novel about as much as any of his I've read. David versus Goliath in the courts. And written with good taste. I'm surprised Grisham was able to keep my interest with so many facts and figures and information on the court system. I didn't particularly care for the way the story ended ... but 9 out of 10 is still pretty great! What a great author.
    • 5/5

      This was way better than the movie.  Most of the changes that were made for the movie were better in the original.  That's what happens when you have to edit for time.  I loved watching Leo Drummond go down in flames in the book way more than in the movie.  For such a long book (14 discs), the action kept moving along and truly kept my interest.  Thanks for the recommendation, Andrew!

    • 5/5
      My Second Fave Author After James Patterson is of course, John Grisham! His books are absolutely amazing and they keep you on a going!
    • 4/5
      A young lawyer in Memphis, in his very first court case finds himself in over his head when he faces an experienced legal team defending a large insurance company. The tension is kept high as he struggles with unfamiliar courtroom processes while counsel for the defendants apply some underhand tactics to try and win the case for their client.In the midst of the trial, he gets involved with a young woman who's being abused by her husband, and his involvement leads to an unexpected and explosive situation. I thought the author's handling of this situation was rather sketchy in comparison to the detail he spent on the insurance trial case. I'm not sure introducing this particular situation added any value to the overall story.I like this story of an underdog standing up for what's right, eventually playing the bully at his own game and coming out on top.
    • 5/5
      The Rainmaker: A Novel by John Grisham--This is the first book of John Grisham I have ever read and ever since reading it I was completely hooked, lined and sinkered! It is little wonder how this story turned into a great movie. It is compassioned and self, good and bad, and the main character is constantly dealing with what's rights and whats wrong. He got used to a fancy, wealthy live style which is all turned upside-down with the death of his father and the inheritance of his brother. An excellent read which will never disappoint.
    • 5/5
      Mad, Sad, and Laugh out Loud funny! The movie tries but its just not possible to convey the humor. But along with the humor comes absolutely infuriating heartbreak. Reading this I'm reminded why I Hate the Insurance Agencies. I firmly believe that insurance agencies have far too many loopholes to wriggle out of and way too many political friends to help them do so. But the insurance agencies are just the example of how Big Business gets thing done on the broken backs of common people. They call it the disappearing middle class. How the divide between rich and poor just keeps getting wider. Basically it just shows how the rich screw the the little guy or in this case a sick young man and hos devastated family. It happens everyday. When you make make less than minimum wage because you get tips but you are required to split your tips with chefs, busboys, and whoever else your employer deems worthy (co-workers that already make more then you). Oh and if you don't get tipped you have to make up the shortfall. Not a waitress but that is outright unfair and the employers get away with it. When (here in Canada) the government makes it so that you have to work 5hrs to get a 15min break when it used to be four. That's especially nice for all the after school kids that work all evening from 4 to 8 (schools out at 3:30 so they rush to work and don't get supper till they get home at 8:30 or 9). I'm so grateful my employers don't do that to these kids. Its also fantastic the pension we pay politicians in this country for their few years of "service". This book brilliantly highlights the corrupt immorality of the whole system. It should make you furious and sad.
    • 5/5
      In his final semester of law school Rudy Baylor is required to provide free legal advice to a group of senior citizens, and it is there that he meets his first "clients," Dot and Buddy Black. Their son, Donny Ray, is dying of leukemia and their insurance company has flatly refused to pay for his medical treatments. While Rudy is at first skepetical, he soon realizes that the Blacks really have been shockingly mistreated by the huge company, and that he just may have stumbled upon one of the largest insurance frauds anyone's ever seen. The problem is, Rudy is flat broke, has no job, hasn't ever passed the bar, and is about to go head-to-head with one of the best defense attorneys in the country.
    • 3/5
      I read it for something to do. I've never been able to come up with much enthusiasm for Grisham's books.
    • 4/5
      In John Grisham’s The Rainmaker, Rudy Baylor, a recent graduate of the law school of Memphis State, finds himself in dire need of a job in a very competitive market. Through a class before he graduates, he is introduced to Dot Black, whose son is on his deathbed due to the fraud and delay tactics used by their insurance provider, Great Benefit. In his desperate search for a job, Rudy finds himself under the employ of “Bruiser” Stone. At Stone’s sleazy firm, Rudy meets Deck Shifflet, a quirky man who has been through law school, but isn’t a lawyer due to failing the bar six times. When the law begins to catch up to Stone (for the plethora of inconsequential illegal things he’s done), Rudy hires Shifflet as his paralegal and opens his own firm. The duo tread water long enough for Rudy to go to court against a platoon of Great Benefit’s lawyers, led by Leo F. Drummond. Both the law and the judge are on Rudy’s side, so he succeeds in suing Great Benefit for $50.2 million. Days later, Great Benefit declares bankruptcy, allowing the company to avoid paying the settlement. Rudy, upset about winning the case but gaining nothing, resolves to become a teacher and live with Kelly Riker, a woman he fell in love with and helped to divorce her husband. The cover art of The Rainmaker is fairly minimalistic. It doesn’t add much, but it certainly isn’t an eyesore. I’d recommend this book to young people aspiring to undertake careers related to the law, and to those interested in dramatized courtroom novels.