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For every innocent man sent to prison, there is a guilty one left on the outside. He doesn?t understand how the police and prosecutors got the wrong man, and he certainly doesn?t care. He just can?t believe his good ...
For every innocent man sent to prison, there is a guilty one left on the outside. He doesn?t understand how the police and prosecutors got the wrong man, and he certainly doesn?t care. He just can?t believe his good luck. Time passes and he realizes that the mistake will not be corrected: the authorities believe in their case and are determined to get a conviction. He may even watch the trial of the person wrongly accused of his crime. He is relieved when the verdict is guilty. He laughs when the police and prosecutors congratulate themselves. He is content to allow an innocent person to go to prison, to serve hard time, even to be executed.
Travis Boyette is such a man. In 1998, in the small East Texas city of Sloan, he abducted, raped, and strangled a popular high school cheerleader. He buried her body so that it would never be found, then watched in amazement as police and prosecutors arrested and convicted Dont� Drumm, a local football star, and marched him off to death row.
Now nine years have passed. Travis has just been paroled in Kansas for a different crime; Dont� is four days away from his execution. Travis suffers from an inoperable brain tumor. For the first time in his miserable life, he decides to do what's right and confess.
But how can a guilty man convince lawyers, judges, and politicians that they?re about to execute an innocent man?
Throughout the novel we are given some interesting descriptions of Boyette's reaction to his crimes and we learn of his complicated past. Considering all of this do you think he is truly remorseful? Can you forgive him or feel sorry for him in any way?
In Chapter Six, Grisham points out the motives behind the prosecutors not wanting to listen to other theories. Discuss this considering the idea of justice being blind.
Towards the end of the novel, Keith says that, besides his honeymoon, this has been the most exciting week of his life. Why might he feel that way? What has this story done for him?
Your members could read about the West Memphis Three, the Kenny Waters case (basis of the movie Conviction), and John Grisham's nonfiction Innocent Man featuring the case of Ron Keith Williamson.
An eye opener to the criminal justice system and the explosive topic of capital punishment in the United States. I think isolation is the cruelest punishment of all. Donte Dunn suffered because of this... (read more)
Used to like John Grisham novels, but now all his novels seem to have the same theme just different settings.
"An Interesting Read that Makes for Great Political Discussion"by Nicole A. (see profile)12/03/11
John Grisham has written another brilliantly moving work that shows his passion on a subject. Just like Runaway Jury dealt with gun control, The Confession deals with the death penalty. The main characters... (read more)
"Good for discussion"by Tracy C. (see profile)03/08/11
"Starts Slow But Grabs Your Heart"by Michael F. (see profile)01/18/11
It started slow for me, but at some point I found it difficult to put down. It was very thought-provoking, especially on the issue of capital punishment.
"Even though...."by Michelle A. (see profile)01/05/11
Even thouugh I really didn't like this book, I would recommend it. It is just not my style of reading.
"The Confession: A Novel"by Marty K. (see profile)01/04/11
Loved this book! It examined the consequences of the death penalty when one innocent person could be executed. Definitely a page turner. Good story, recommend to anyone with an open mind.
