"Defending Jacob" by William Landay

7th September 2017

Members met in the snug at “The Aletaster” in Low Fell. 

“Defending Jacob” by William Landay 

As discussion got under way, we soon realised how difficult it would be to write a blog without mentioning, or even hinting “what happens at the end” (one of our group hadn’t completed the novel). But be assured dear reader it is hoped that there will be no spoiler alert here. 

So here goes…

Andy is an Assistant District Attorney (so was the author it appears!) who finds his professional position challenged because his son is being tried for the murder of a school peer, Ben Rifkin. Andy’s protégé, Neil Logiudice, is prosecuting his son, Jacob, for the rather nasty murder of Ben.

Andy’s suspension from the case prevents him from further investigation of a probable suspect, a known paedophile.

Andy is our narrator throughout and he takes us on a rollercoaster journey through courtroom intrigue and machinations, interwoven with scenes from his home life where fear and doubt devastates their unity; where  bitterly cruel social ostracisation cuts down their defences. Meanwhile, Jacob, accused of being an evil and pathological murderer, remains removed and opaque throughout.

Throughout the developing court case we learn of Andy’s historic secret which impacts on the case and offers the reader another chance to debate the theory of “nature versus nurture” 

As a result, we watch his wife Laurie’s gradual but inevitable decline, which Andy feels powerless to prevent. Enormous sympathy was felt for this character and, indeed, for others drawn into the case like Jacob’s friend, Derek, a sympathetic and well-intentioned young informant. And there’s Ben Rifkin, the victim of a hateful and callous murder…..

Andy’s character grows as his pain increases and his torment drives him to protect his family. Landay’s well-observed depiction of modern-day adolescence takes us through the daily angst of peer pressure and bullying in the school yard and on social media with absolute understanding. However, he excels at convincing the reader of what it’s like to be a parent, struggling to believe in a child whose introvert behaviour excludes them. How much of their child’s life goes unnoticed… until there is a reason to investigate it…

But, has Andy violated professional ethics? Probably, for the sake of his son. We participate in this legal thriller but we are also drawn into the resulting family implosion.

Everyone enjoyed the book without exception. It was suggested that the novel might not compare to the literary genius of Scott Turow (“Presumed Innocent”) but we all agreed it was an exceptionally clever, tense and engrossing story which doesn’t abate, but ony heightens the adrenalin level at every turn of the page.

We awarded the book 4/5

*NB  Please vote for our October read from our Modern Classics list: “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” by Muriel Spark , “Cider with Rosie” by Laurie Lee or ”Painted Veil” by Somerset Maugham. Put it out on FB!!