It's Lonely at the Top

Well, if not lonely, then perhaps controversial. Today is the birthday of author John Grisham, whose recently released novel The Associate has stirred up the waters a bit. Not only is Pittsburgh's Duquesne University upset because the book includes a fictional gang rape by fraternity brothers, but in the original manuscript, Grisham had used Princeton as a setting, only to discover that Princeton doesn't have a law school. On the Charlie Rose show, Grisham said he eventually chose Duquesne because he had never visited there and "I can never be accused of writing about anything or anybody that I knew about." Meanwhile, Grisham can laugh on his way to the bank because Shia LaBeouf has already been signed to play the lead in Paramount's adaption of The Associate. Happy Birthday, John!

Comments

[Dana King]

So I guess we shouldn't hope for a lot of authenticity in setting, or possible legal technicalities, if Grisham admits he chose the school--and, by association, the city--because he's never been there.

[BV Lawson]

It does seem kind of interesting that someone with his level of financial success wouldn't be able to make a trip to the place where he sets a book. If I had that kind of money, I'd jump at the chance to combine travel and research!