One sentence summary:
A former lawyer is released from prison and given a chance at a new life when the CIA offers him a presidential pardon in exchange for a dangerous mission in Italy.
Book genre:
Thriller, Suspense, Legal Fiction
Main topic of the book:
The main topic of the book is the world of political power and espionage, as a disgraced lawyer is recruited by the CIA to broker a backroom deal in Italy that could risk his new identity and possibly his life.
Key ideas:
- The corrupt world of politics and how alliances are formed behind closed doors.
- The power of the CIA and their reach, as they can offer complete pardons to criminals.
- The complex past of the protagonist and how it ultimately leads him to take on this mission.
- The intricacies of Italian culture and the challenges the protagonist faces as he navigates through a foreign country with a new identity.
- The danger and risks involved in a mission of this magnitude and how it affects everyone involved.
Main Parts of the Book:
Part 1: The Setup
After serving six years in a federal prison, Joel Backman, a former power broker in Washington D.C., is unexpectedly pardoned by the President and whisked away to Italy. He is told that he must start a new life and cannot return to the United States. The CIA has given him a new identity and a chance to redeem himself, but it comes with a catch – he must broker a secretive and dangerous deal between the United States and a mysterious wealthy businessman in Italy.
Part 2: Adjusting to a New Life
Joel struggles to adjust to his new identity and life in Italy. He is under constant surveillance from the CIA and must navigate through a different culture and language. He is determined to fulfil his mission, but as he learns more about the deal he’s brokering, he begins to question the true motives behind it.
Part 3: The Dealings in Italy
As Joel becomes more immersed in the world of Italian politics and business, he discovers a web of corruption and deceit. He must use all his skills and connections to navigate through the intricate and dangerous dealings in Italy and make sure the deal goes as planned. But as he delves deeper, he realizes the stakes are higher than he could have ever imagined.
Part 4: The Aftermath
With the help of a young Italian lawyer, Joel successfully completes the deal and manages to stay alive. But the aftermath brings new challenges as he is forced to confront his past and the consequences of his actions. He must also come to terms with the new life he has built in Italy and decide whether he wants to continue living under a false identity or risk everything and return to the United States.
Key Takeaways:
- The world of politics and espionage is full of power, corruption, and deceit.
- The CIA has immense power and influence, as they can offer complete pardons to criminals in exchange for dangerous missions.
- One’s past can come back to haunt them and change the course of their life.
- The challenges of adapting to a new culture and language.
- The consequences of one’s actions and the difficult choices that must be made to do the right thing.
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
John Grisham is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for his legal thrillers. He has written over 40 novels, most of which have been adapted into films. Grisham graduated from Mississippi State University and received his law degree from the University of Mississippi. He practiced law for nearly a decade before turning to writing full-time.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this book is adults who enjoy suspenseful and thrilling stories with a legal aspect. It would also appeal to fans of John Grisham’s other novels.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
The Broker was first published in 2005 by Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House.