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| image = [[Image:The Broker Grisham Novel.jpg|200px|Grisham's 2005 Novel "The Broker"]]<!--prefer 1st edition-->
| image = [[Image:The Broker Grisham Novel.jpg|200px|Grisham's 2005 Novel "The Broker"]]<!--prefer 1st edition-->
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| author = [[John Grisham]]
| author = [[John Grisham]] sara whitney
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Revision as of 19:38, 7 July 2011

The Broker
Grisham's 2005 Novel "The Broker"
AuthorJohn Grisham sara whitney
LanguageEnglish
GenreThriller novel
PublisherDoubleday
Publication date
January 11, 2005
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardcover, Paperback)
Pages368 pp (hardcover edition)
ISBN0-385-51045-4
OCLC57236073
813/.54 22
LC ClassPS3557.R5355 B76 2005b

The Broker is a suspense novel written by American author John Grisham published in the United States on January 11, 2005. The novel follows the story of Joel Backman, a newly-pardoned prisoner who had tried to broker a deal to give the world's most powerful satellite surveillance system to the highest bidder.

Plot summary

Joel Backman is "the Broker"- a Washington power broker-lobbyist. But his life falls apart when a deal collapses involving a hacked spy satellite that nobody knows about, and Backman ends up in jail. Six years later, the political wheels in Washington have turned and other power-hungry men are eager for his blood. Bargains are made and an outgoing disgraced president grants him a full pardon at the behest of the CIA and he finds himself spirited out of the prison in the middle of the night, bundled onto a military plane and flown to Italy for a new life. He has a new name and mysterious new "friends" who will teach him to speak the language and to blend in with the people of the city of Bologna.

But something isn't quite kosher in this new setup, and he is under constant surveillance. In fact, his own government is setting him up for professional assassins from Russia, China, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. The CIA intends to sit back and wait to see which one gets him first, trying to solve the biggest mystery to hit the US government in decades; seeing who built this seemingly impenetrable and most advanced satellite ever.

It turns out to be China. Despite having low satellite technology, they stole the information from the U.S. Backman survives several assassination attempts and manages to establish communication with his son, Neal Backman. He escapes surveillance and returns to his home to contract a new deal with the US government. The CIA is told about the satellite, along with the taking of the program of the satellite itself.

Literary significance and criticism

The book has been hailed by some critics as a return to form for Grisham, while others lament it as a mere "trip to Italy" put into fiction form. A New York Times book review claimed that the description of an outgoing president who was "an idiot... but a clean one" seemed to be referring to President Bush, or perhaps to Bill Clinton's infamous last-minute presidential pardons in 2001.[1] Nevertheless, The Broker made number one on the New York Times Best Seller list.

Characters

  • Joel Backman a.k.a Marco - A rich, powerful power-lobbyist that tried to broker a deal selling a program that controls the world's most powerful satellite. The deal breaks, the buyers (countries) are angry, and he's spending time inside jail. He's released courtesy of an elaborate plan by Teddy Maynard (the head of CIA) and is removed to Italy to start a new life. However, he quickly catches on to the suspicious plan and survives several assassination attempts. He later brokers a new deal with the government to sell the program and tells the origins of the satellite. in return, he's given real protection and starts another new life starting a new firm, with his soon to be wife Francesca.
  • Neal Backman - Only loyal son of Joel Backman. He helped his father in his time at Italy through financial assistance and the buying of a new communication device
  • Teddy Maynard - Aging and endurable head of CIA. He survived several unsuccessful firings and he's brilliant. Finally fired by the new president.
  • Luigi - A shadowy "friend" of Backman who helped him in his new life while putting up surveillance on Backman.
  • Sammy Tin - One of the best assassins in the world. Child of two Red Chinese diplomats. Assigned to kill Joel Backman, but fails.
  • Ermanno - A young language tutor, supposedly taking classes in the local college.
  • Francesca - A language tutor and tour guide of Italy. Is assigned to be a new language guide to Backman. Now learned Backman's true identity and has a romantic relationship with Backman.

Other languages

Publishing notes

  • The blurred man on the back is really John Grisham.
  • '"Kwytemail", the secure e-mail system by which the Backmans communicate, is modeled after services such as Hushmail.

References

  1. ^ Dershowitz, Alan M. (January 9, 2005). "'The Broker': Pardon Me". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved March 21, 2010.


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