John Grisham ​

John Ray Grisham Jr. is an American novelist, attorney, politician, and activist, who is best known for his popular legal thrillers. His books have been translated into 42 languages and published worldwide. Some of his most popular works include "The Firm", "The Pelican Brief", and "A Time to Kill".

Quick Facts ​

• Best known for his legal thrillers.
• His books have been translated into 42 languages.
• Has sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
• Seven of his novels have been adapted into films.
• Won the Galaxy British Book Awards’ Book Direct Crime Thriller of the Year for his book "The Associate".

Background ​

Grisham was born in 1955 in Arkansas and raised in Mississippi. After studying accounting at Mississippi State University, he went on to earn his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1981. He practiced law for nearly a decade, specializing in criminal defense and personal injury litigation. He also served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1984 until 1990. He began writing his first novel, A Time to Kill, in 1984; it was published in 1988. Since then, he has written more than 30 novels, his most popular being legal thrillers such as The Firm, The Pelican Brief, and The Runaway Jury. Several of his books have been turned into movies and television shows.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Grisham is renowned for his legal thrillers that are characterized by fast-paced plots, intriguing twists, and an in-depth understanding of the legal system. His work is praised for its engaging storytelling and complex characters. Grisham has significantly contributed to the popularity of legal thrillers and has used his fiction to spotlight issues with the US legal and prison systems.

Notable Works ​

• A Time to Kill (1989)
• The Firm (1991)
• The Pelican Brief (1992)
• The Client (1993)
• The Rainmaker (1995)
• The Runaway Jury (1996)
• The Partner (1997)
• The Street Lawyer (1998)
• The Brethren (2000)
• The Summons (2002)
• The Last Juror (2004)
• The Innocent Man (2006)
• The Appeal (2008)
• Sycamore Row (2013)
• The Guardians (2019)