Reversible Errors: A Novel Review
Several years in the past, "Squirrel" Gandolph was convicted of a nasty triple murder. Now, he is on death row awaiting execution. His conviction, it appears, was based on circumstantial evidence and a signed confession. Squirrel, however, is mentally challenged. Is his confession legitimate or was he coerced? He now says he is innocent, and Arthur Raven, a lawyer more adept and experienced at corporate law than criminal defense, is handed the pro bono case.
A number of other readers have panned REVERSIBLE ERRORS on the basis of not caring about any of the characters. I can sympathize. All of the major characters are flawed. All have major issues in their lives. For starters, Gandolph is a petty thief who probably belongs in jail. For me, though, it is the flaws in all the characters here that makes them human and gives them their appeal. I didn't want Gandolph excuted if he wasn't the killer. I rooted for the others to get past their personal issues. "Reversible errors" is the underlying theme for all of the main people in this book. Some I hoped would find what they're looking for, others I hoped would get what they deserved, but I wasn't indifferent to any of them.
REVERSIBLE ERRORS isn't Turow's best book. That honor still resides with PRESUMED INNOCENT, but REVERSIBLE ERRORS isn't bad. Turow has a strong writing style, and his knowledge of the legal system and portrayal of his characters is good. These strengths are all present in REVERSIBLE ERRORS. The plot is perhaps not as gripping as it could be, and the story is a little slow at times, but I enjoyed the book and recommend it to those who like books in the "legal thriller" genre.
