Camino Island

John Grisham has structured Camino Island into eight chapters, ranging in length from 10 to over 50 pages. Each chapter has a name that directs the reader’s attention to the general topic—for example, Chapter 1, bluntly titled “The Heist,” follows Denny and his team as they steal the Fitzgerald manuscripts. Because of this cue, when the next chapter, titled “The Dealer,” begins, it is clear that the focus is on Bruce, and his role as book dealer. Because these two chapters happen before the reader even meets the protagonist, Mercer, the connection between the heist and Bruce is already strong. Although his participation isn’t confirmed until much later, by structuring the first few chapters this way, Grisham draws a connection between Bruce and the heist that amounts to a tacit admission of his eventual participation.

The point-of-view is third-person omniscient, with the reader able to follow the thoughts of whoever the narrator wants. For the most part, it is the person who is the focus of the chapter or scene; for example, in Chapter 2, the reader can see into the thoughts of Bruce, whose history and character are the focus of the chapter. This choice affects the way the story unfolds, because the narrator can move through different people and places, drawing connections between people who don’t appear to be connected, or at least not yet.

Chapter 1’s focus, as stated by the title, is the manuscript theft itself. While quickly delving into the plot, the chapter still does important work during the heist and the aftermath, to develop Denny’s character. His casual killing of Trey shows the reader that Denny is truly dangerous—he is not just a thief, he is a murderer as well, and is willing to go to any lengths for his success. Later, when Denny returns and focuses on Bruce and Mercer, this character development in the first chapter will inform and deepen the tension of his reappearance. Although Bruce will face pressure from a variety of angles, including the FBI, Denny’s pursuit of the manuscripts provides yet another source of tension for the story; he is a player that will remain in the background, working his own angle, for most of the novel.

The first chapter also highlights the team’s different attitudes toward and approaches to crime. Denny and Mark, both with less experience, are eager to move ahead, while the two more seasoned criminals, Jerry and Trey, “favored a patient approach” (25). Denny also disparages another key element to successful crime—sticking with the plan. He almost immediately deviates from their intended protocol; as he says, “Plans—nothing ever goes as planned, and the survivors are the ones who can adapt on the fly” (38). The idea of patience and planning as keys to successful crime will come up again throughout the novel, developing the theme of The Perfect Plan.

Chapter 2 introduces the character of Bruce Cable with an overview of his personal history, beginning with his father’s death when he was 23. Grisham shows Bruce’s moral flexibility with the theft of his father’s first editions, and also the origins of his shady business with rare books of dubious provenance. Yet this theft was also a crime of opportunity—Bruce didn’t seek to steal the books, in fact didn’t even know of their existence, but merely saw an opening and took it.

In this same scene, Bruce connects to patience as well, finding that, “As he would quickly learn in the business, patience was imperative” (54). This understanding will play an important role in his success over the years, as well as his success with the Fitzgerald manuscripts, and show his understanding of The Perfect Plan. With this one flashback to Bruce’s father’s death, Grisham illustrates the keys to Bruce’s success—his patience, and his ability to take advantage of unforeseen opportunity. Bruce is not just a book dealer or bookstore owner; he is a criminal, although his crimes seem to be mostly about opportunity.

Grisham also shows the development of Bruce’s career and persona as a local island bookstore owner. His adoption of the seersucker suit lends him the guise of respectability and charm and makes him a recognizable and eccentric local character. His purchase of the Marchbank house falls along the same lines—it has the respectability due its age, having long been recognizable in the community. This strategy of curating an unconventional image, along with an undeniable work ethic and a true love of books, makes Bruce one of the most successful independent bookstore owners in the country. His persona also, along the way, creates a mythology that helps distract potential attention from his stolen book dealing.

These first two chapters set up the situation around which the plot will revolve. The reader possesses first-hand information that no character in the book has, creating a sense of dramatic irony. Bruce is somehow involved, although it is not completely clear yet, and he is unaware that Denny, a very dangerous man, will soon be on his trail. These two chapters set up the eventual intersection of these two characters, into which Mercer will unknowingly intrude in Chapter 3.