Summary
The Rainmaker is John Grisham's sixth novel, a legal thriller that solidified his reputation as a master of the genre. Published in 1995, the novel quickly became a #1 New York Times bestseller, selling an astonishing 300,000 copies in its first four days. This story follows a young lawyer's David-versus-Goliath battle against a powerful insurance company, showcasing Grisham's keen insight into the American legal system and the often daunting fight for justice. The novel's protagonist, Rudy Baylor, has become one of Grisham's most beloved characters—in fact, the author himself has stated that out of all his protagonists, Rudy is the one he would most like to be. Grisham’s connection with the character, coupled with his vivid storytelling and sharp critique of corporate greed, makes The Rainmaker a standout in his extensive bibliography.
In 1997, The Rainmaker was adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Matt Damon as Rudy Baylor. In 2024, the USA Network announced plans to develop a television series based on the novel, featuring John Slattery as one of the key characters.
Plot
The Rainmaker opens with Rudy Baylor, a recent law school graduate in dire straits when his job offer falls through. Desperate for work, he signs on with a shady lawyer, J. Lyman “Bruiser” Stone, and is tasked with recruiting clients from hospitals for personal injury lawsuits. During this time, he takes on two cases—a revised will for his landlady and a potentially lucrative insurance bad faith case for the Black family, whose son Donny Ray is dying of leukemia.
As Stone's firm faces mounting legal troubles, Rudy decides to establish his own practice with Deck Shifflet, a former insurance assessor. They file a lawsuit against Great Benefit Life Insurance on behalf of the Blacks, claiming the company wrongfully denied coverage for a bone marrow transplant that could have saved Donny Ray's life. In a flash, the novice litigator Rudy finds himself pitted against a team of experienced and ruthless lawyers from a powerful firm.
The trial begins shortly after Donny Ray's death. Rudy uncovers a massive scheme by Great Benefit to deny all insurance claims regardless of merit. A former employee testifies that this practice generated an additional $40 million in revenue for the company. The jury awards the Blacks an unprecedented $50.2 million in damages. However, Great Benefit quickly declares bankruptcy to avoid paying, leading to further legal action that ultimately forces the company out of business.
Parallel to the main plot, Rudy becomes involved with Kelly Riker, a young woman he meets at the hospital who is recovering from injuries inflicted by her abusive husband, Cliff. Rudy helps Kelly file for divorce, but the situation escalates when Cliff attacks Rudy with a baseball bat. In the ensuing struggle, Rudy seriously injures Cliff, who later dies. To protect Rudy, Kelly takes the blame for Cliff's death. Although the charges are dropped, threats from Cliff's family force Rudy and Kelly to leave town, with Rudy planning to abandon his legal career and become a teacher.
Themes
David vs. Goliath struggle in the legal system
Corruption and greed in the insurance industry
The ethical challenges of practicing law
Personal growth and professional development
The pursuit of justice against overwhelming odds
The impact of domestic violence on relationships
Disillusionment with the legal profession
Setting
The Rainmaker is set in the mid-1990s, primarily in Memphis, Tennessee. The sultry Southern city serves as a backdrop for the legal drama, with its sweltering summer heat mirroring the intensity of the courtroom battles that ensue.
While Memphis is the focal point, the story touches on broader issues within the American legal and insurance systems, reflecting the nationwide impact of corporate greed and corruption. The contrast between the struggling protagonist, young lawyer Rudy Baylor, and the wealthy, powerful defendants underscores the socioeconomic disparities present in many urban centers across the United States during this era.
Specific locations within Memphis play crucial roles in the narrative. The local hospital becomes a hunting ground for potential clients, while the courtroom serves as the arena where Rudy confronts Great Benefit’s formidable legal team. The modest office where Rudy and Deck set up their fledgling practice stands in stark contrast to the opulent quarters of the corporate law firm they're up against, highlighting the David versus Goliath nature of the central legal battle.
Characters
Rudy Baylor: The protagonist. A recent law school graduate, Rudy takes on a major insurance company in his first case, fighting for justice for a family denied coverage. He's idealistic but inexperienced, learning to navigate the legal world while facing personal and professional challenges. Rudy's journey from struggling new lawyer to successful “rainmaker” forms the core of the story.
Deck Shifflet: Rudy's paralegal and business partner. A former insurance claims adjuster who failed the bar exam multiple times, Deck provides street smarts and insider knowledge to complement Rudy's legal education. He's resourceful and unethical at times, but loyal to Rudy.
Kelly Riker: A young woman Rudy meets and falls for during the case. Kelly is trying to escape an abusive marriage, adding a personal dimension to Rudy's legal battles.
Leo F. Drummond: The lead defense attorney for Great Benefit. Drummond is an experienced, ruthless lawyer representing the corrupt insurance company. He serves as Rudy's main courtroom antagonist, embodying the powerful corporate interests Rudy is fighting against.
Dot and Buddy Black: The parents of Donny Ray, suing Great Benefit for denying their son's medical treatment. Their tragic situation drives the main legal case.
Judge Tyrone Kipler: The newly appointed judge presiding over the Black family's case. Kipler is sympathetic to Rudy's inexperience and the family's plight.
Donny Ray Black: The terminally ill son of Dot and Buddy, whose denied insurance claim is at the center of the lawsuit. His death galvanizes the case against Great Benefit.
J. Lyman “Bruiser” Stone: An unethical ambulance chaser who initially hires Rudy. Stone's questionable practices introduce Rudy to the seedy side practicing law.
Quick facts
The Rainmaker was John Grisham's sixth novel and sixth consecutive #1 New York Times bestseller.
The Rainmaker sold 300,000 copies in its first four days of release, making it one of the fastest-selling novels in history at the time.
The book's title refers to a lawyer who wins huge damage awards in spectacular cases.
Grisham has stated that Rudy Baylor, the young protagonist, is his favorite character from all his novels.
The story was inspired by a real insurance bad faith case Grisham learned about as a young lawyer.
The Rainmaker was adapted into a 1997 film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Matt Damon.
The novel critiques the American legal education system and insurance industry practices.
Unlike many of Grisham's other works, the protagonist is a newly graduated lawyer rather than an established attorney.
In 2024, USA Network greenlighted a TV series based on The Rainmaker, with John Slattery cast as Leo F. Drummond. As of March 2025, a premiere date was yet to be announced.
The novel's ending subverts the typical legal thriller formula, with the protagonist leaving law practice altogether.
About the Author
John Grisham is one of the most successful and prolific authors of legal thrillers in modern literature. Born in 1955 in Arkansas, Grisham practiced law for about a decade and served in the Mississippi House of Representatives before launching his writing career. His breakthrough novel, The Firm, became a massive bestseller in 1991 and launched his streak of having one of the top 10 bestselling novels nearly every year for the next two decades.
Over his career, Grisham has authored nearly 50 books that have sold over 300 million copies worldwide. While best known for his legal thrillers, he has also written in other genres including sports fiction, comedy, and young adult novels. Many of Grisham's books have been adapted into popular films, including The Firm, The Pelican Brief, and A Time to Kill. His writing often explores issues related to the criminal justice system and racial tensions.
Beyond his literary success, Grisham remains active in legal and social causes. He serves on the board of directors for the Innocence Project and Centurion Ministries, organizations dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals. Grisham has used his platform to advocate against capital punishment and excessive incarceration rates in the United States. He has also supported various political and charitable causes over the years.
When not writing, Grisham splits his time between homes in Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. He continues to produce bestselling novels on a regular basis while also exploring new genres and formats.
