Beyond the obvious context of literary portrayals of the law, an expansive context in which to discuss The Client is American portrayals of adolescents.

Twain's Huck Finn, Salinger's Holden Caulfield (from Catcher in the Rye [1951]), and other characters provide comparisons that may provide insights into Grisham's characterizations. A focus on adolescents often points to a critique of adult society (as in Mark Twain and Salinger), and readers could discuss how Mark's experiences serve as social criticism. This sort of discussion alerts readers how Grisham does more than write a thrilling story. Certainly the justice of the legal proceedings that Grisham describes and the ways the authorities treat innocent individuals merit consideration in any discussion of the novel. As a frequent topic in reviews of Grisham's work is his portrayal of women, readers could linger in discussing Reggie Love. She fits 1990s guidelines for political correctness, yet...