Although a beginning novelist, he is a published writer his One L, an account of his first year at Harvard Law School, received admiring attention when it appeared in 1977. Then came $1 million for screen rights, with a paperback sale still pending - and obviously appreciating as the novel climbs best-seller lists.īut Turow's good fortune cannot be written off entirely to luck. Turow finally accepted $200,000 from a house whose reputation he admired. Unlike most such manuscripts, however, his did not meet with indifference and rejection in fact, publishers competed eagerly to buy the book. He has also, like thousands of others among the gainfully employed, written in his spare time. Attorney's office and then as a partner in a private firm. Since 1978 he has been a lawyer in his hometown, working for eight years in the U.S. The latest beneficiary of this bolt-from-the-blue largesse is a Chicagoan named Scott Turow, 38. Every so often, reality conspires to reward both desires at once. It is not essential to read Presumed Innocent first, but I think it would enhance the reading experience.Want to be read most of them will also confess to dreams of striking it rich. As with many of these types of books, the primary drawback is that the red herrings must eventually be explained, and some of the explanations are rather far-fetched and even bizarre. We do not have to endure superfluous side stories that have little to do with the trial.

I enjoyed turning the pages, reading about the trial processes and preparations. My overall reaction to this book is positive. It explores the idea of innocence and guilt, especially the guilt beyond a courtroom definition. It is not for anyone looking for non-stop action. Although it is plot-driven, there is plenty of character development, and we get to know these people well. I kept trying to figure out where it was headed. This book is told from a variety of perspectives – Rusty, his son Nat, his former clerk Anna, and prosecuting attorney Tommy. He is defended by the same attorney, now aging and in ill health, Sandy Stern. For a variety of reasons better left to the reader to find out, Rusty finds himself again at the center of a courtroom drama. When Sabich’s wife dies, he waits a day before informing anyone. His past rival, Tommy Molto, is now the prosecuting attorney. He is in the process of running for election to the state’s supreme court. Sequel to Presumed Innocent, published twenty years later, protagonist Rusty Sabich is now chief of the appellate court.

Novel presumed innocent