The Rainmaker

Written by John Grisham

Narrated by Michael Beck

Rudy Baker's world collapses when the law firm he was due to join is taken over. Suddenly, just before his bar examination, he is without employment and up to his neck in debt. His whole future hinges on his only two prospective clients.

One is an eccentric old lady who claims to have a twenty million dollar fortune and wants a new will drafted. The other is a case against an insurance company who has denied a claim involving a young man dying of leukaemia. Donny Ray Black might have been saved if Great Benefit had paid out months ago, but now he has no hope. Both he and his mother want to bring Great Benefit to its knees and they choose Rudy, even though he has never argued a case in court.

But this case is only the tip of the iceberg: there are hundreds of similar claims popping up all over the US. Soon Rudy finds himself facing the very legal firm whose takeover cost him his job, in a trial which threatens to blow the lid off one of the biggest cases of corporate fraud in America history. He is one young man against a battery of million dollar lawyers, and his opponents will do anything to stop him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House UK Audio
• Release date: Nov 2, 2006
• ISBN: 9781846576324

Reviews for The Rainmaker

[shesinplainview · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is one of Grisham's best. I loved cheering for the underdog. I loved him sticking it to the crooked insurance company.

[lchs1mrso · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[kathryncsn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Well, I think the story of this book isn't very new for me. It's about a young and inexperienced lawyer helps a poor person to get justice. The difference between this book and other similar stories is lawyer is not veteran, he is so jerky and enthusiasm, he is very nervous when he first time to appear in court, hesitated when he face to be asked settle out of court, he even asked to check legal provision when he on the court. He made the friends with his three clients which representative of vulnerable groups, the silent final, good person succeed and he win the lawsuit, respect and get his dream girl.On the other hand, in my opinion, it’s a main social problem that the professional use their professional advantages to get illegal benefitsWhile their solve the problem, there also make the new problems, like he said every lawyer, at least once in every case, feels himself crossing a line he doesn’t really mean to cross. It just happens. And if you cross it enough times, it disappears forever. And then you’re nothing but another lawyer joke, just another shark in the dirty water.In short, I always like the story about lawyer, so it’s worth to read for me.

[ctmsdeha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“I was a young teenager, clumsy, embarrassed by my awkwardness, frustrated with life, horrified by puberty, about to be shipped off to a military school by my father for insubordination… Overtime, I’d developed a quick tongue and an aversion to discipline…”Rudy Baylor, a graduate of the University of Memphis Law School, is trying to find his first job with a law firm in the Memphis area. While searching for a job he is also studying for the bar exam and bartending at a local Memphis bar.While providing free legal advice at a community center, he meets Mrs. Birdie Birdsong from whom he later rents an apartment. In return for cheap rent, he provides hours of backbreaking labor at her home. Rudy gets a job interview with J.Lyman “Bruiser” Stone, a strict but successful lawyer whose specialty is personal injury cases. Bruiser gives him a job as an associate. To earn the required $1,000 every month, he must find clients at the local hospital. Deck, another employee who has failed the bar exam 6 times, comes for the ride.Rudy ends up with just one case, a bad faith suit with a couple, Dot and Buddy Black. Their 22-year old son, Donny Ray, is dying of acute leukemia. A bone marrow transplant could have cured him, but their insurance company, Great Benefit, has denied payment for.Rudy meets and falls in love with a woman named Kelly Riker, who has been hospitalized by continuous beating from her husband. They get a chance to meet at the hospital and Rudy helps her up to her room.Drummond, the lawyer leading Great Benefit in the trial, uses Rudy’s inexperience to his advantage. Rudy’s determination and precision cross-examination fought back hard. The jury’s verdict is…If you want a book you can’t put down, look no further. The Rainmaker is a detailed, well thought out book with well developed characters. When the characters were described by the author, I could clearly see them in my mind. While reading the dialogue, I felt like I was inside the story. I could feel Rudy’s emotions and see inside his thoughts. The first person perspective of the book made it seem more real.This perfect mix of comedy and romance is not one to miss. If I were to describe this book with one sentence: This book is a page turner. I tore through this book and really enjoyed the balance of law, romance and comedy within the story. I did have some problems with the lack of action in the court scenes, since I am used to seeing more action when watching court-based TV shows. I also would have preferred a different ending, because I didn’t agree with Rudy’s decisions about his career at the end of the book.There were many times while reading the story that I felt I could relate to Rudy. For example, when he was trying to get a job, but kept getting turned down, I was reminded of how I’m not really popular and have often been turned down when trying to make friends. I really like the plot of the story, even though I did have a little problem with the romantic part because I felt uncomfortable since I have never experienced true love.If I were to give this book a rating, I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. The book is not perfect, but it was a nice read. If you ever see this book on a shelf somewhere, definitely consider picking it up. This book was great and I hope you think so too.  

[melorem · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[bennyb_29 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good story, worth a read.

[lillyparks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[radaghast_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[dbree007 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book, finally, the insurance company gets its due. I also loved the movie .

[rustbucket_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[wyn_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[karriethelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great story. Always like to see the insurance companies take the hit they deserve.

[omrythea_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Classic Grisham at his best.

[dorancalgiano · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.