Title: Just Mercy
Author: Bryan Stevenson
Published: November 2019, Spiegel & Grau
Format: Paperback, Movie Tie-In Edition, 351 pages
Source: Personal copy
Summary:
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER – A powerful true story
about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix
our broken system of justice–from one of the most brilliant and
influential lawyers of our time
SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING MICHAEL B. JORDAN AND JAMIE FOXX
Named One of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times – The Washington Post – The Boston Globe – The Seattle Times – Esquire – Time
Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice
Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate
and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children
trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of
his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was
sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit.
The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination,
and legal brinksmanship–and transformed his understanding of mercy and
justice forever.
Just Mercy is at once an unforgettable
account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer’s coming of age, a moving
window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring
argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice.
My thoughts: I am totally late when it comes to reading this book, but I know that this is also a book that I will be rereading. It’s not a book that you just read once and walk away from never to think about again. It’s one that not only stays with you, but might also push you to take action yourself.
This is the type of book that my words can never do justice for. I think I will just say that this book is eye-opening to the justice system and how broken it truly is. I was devastated reading this, yet at the same time, I felt I truly learned so much.
I had plans of watching the movie that was streaming for free during the month of June, which is when I had actually read this, but we all know how that goes…best laid plans and all. I do still plan on watching the movie and then at some point I know I’ll be reaching for this book again. Even now as I finally get around to typing up this review, I’m still gutted by what I read…this book affected me so profoundly yet at the same time, it is inspiring. If you have not picked this one up, I strongly urge you to do so.
