How do you think Lee's age affected the way she dealt with Jeremy's case? Do you relate at all to her dread of growing old?

How do you think Lee's age affected the way she dealt with Jeremy's case? Do you relate at all to her dread of growing old?

Well, I'm also married to a lawyer. I can understand her fear of losing her edge; that's important to her success in her profession. But 60 is young to start giving up when there's no evidence that is happening (losing one case does not constitute much evidence, by the way, particularly in law, where juries and judges are in control and both can be erratic.)

Lee is old enough to have acquired the wisdom to see Jeremy’s pain behind his “I don’t care” attitude and experienced enough to unlock his secrets to win the case.

I can relate to Lee’s concerns about aging. When you forget, take longer to get thing done, tire easily etc.,
it is not only a concern but a frustration. Then when you look in the mirror and see the wrinkles and lines
you wonder where that young person went. Aging is something we have to deal with and do the best we can.

I think most of us can relate to the fear of losing strength whether it be physical or mental. Laurap commented that 60 was a young age to feel that way (thanks, Laura) but I think this fear can crop up at any age. For example, the 39 year-old football player who is told he is past his prime. On the surface, this case seemed like a sure loser so maybe it was really a way for Lee to tempt fate - to prove that she still had the chops or push her out the door.

I am OLD so 60 does not seem old to me! Her obsession with turning 60 was the only part of the story that I found irritating. It probably affected the way she handled the case in that she felt she had something to prove - at least to herself. But, her age/experience was an advantage to her handling of the case. A much younger, inexperienced lawyer probably could not have accomplished what she did.
Any dread I had of growing old is a moot point now.

Ridiculous! Age is a number! And not a number that in my opinion makes a hill of beans. Nothing you can do about living for another year - but be thankful! Whether you are 25 or 85. Come on! Worry about something substantial - not the fact that you have lived another year!! Do sometime with that year - make a difference - if not in your life than in someone else's.

I think Lee used the wisdom that come with age to deal with Jeremy. I am turning 66 in a few weeks. I really don't feel the dread she feels. I want to grow old gracefully and I think I am. I look back on my life and think it's been a pretty good one. But I would not want to go back and relive any of it. I do look forward. Sometimes I think I want to do this or do that then I realize I'm too old. Like doing cartwheels. I'll never in my life do a cartwheel. NEVER. I'm just too old to ever do a cartwheel.

I don't think Lee was afraid of getting older. I felt she was wise in her years and from her experiences. This helped her get through to Jeremy. I don't fear age...each year brings more experiences.

I think Lee dreaded losing her edge as a result of growing older and wasn't afraid of aging itself. And as I approach 60 myself, I see the same thing happening to me. I used to think age was just a number, but it really isn't; at some point your body just can't do what it used to. For me it's physical. I used to run marathons but the last year or so every time I try running just a little bit my back spasms, no matter how much time I take off to heal. So I'm walking my races now... but that doesn't make me feel any younger, let me tell you!

As I’m about the same age as Lee I can completely relate to her fears of growing old and losing her edge. Though I think she’s in much better shape than I am! It’s tough to still feel young on the good days and look in the mirror and see old. I think we all have a little of that fear in us

I don’t think her age affected Lee’s dealings with Jeremy. She always gave cases her very best. No age bothered me until I turned 70. I’m 71 now and over being bothered. Just every once in awhile I get ticked off, remembering that I might not be around for this or that future event.

I don't believe that Lee's age was important in the way she dealt with Jeremy and his case. She acted as an experienced, empathetic, wise adult would act with a grieving and troubled adolescent. She could have been any age from 35 to 60 to judge from her interactions with Jeremy.

As for the second question, I do relate to Lee's fear of growing old and her meditations on her upcoming milestone birthday of 60. As a thoughtful, introspective adult, Lee would naturally think about the aging process and the fears that go with it. This theme was one of my favorite aspects of the book: Lee's inner life, her musings about aging and mortality, and the rich inner life that the author created for Lee. It was refreshing to read a legal procedural novel in which the lawyer is such an interesting, fully developed character with fears and doubts. This is a legal novel with a kind heart and soul.

I think as we get older we have unexpected trials and blessings. I am not as strong physically as I used to be when I was lifting small children on a regular basis but I also feel like I have more patience than I did at say, 30. I think Lee was very patient with her client and obviously she has the physical taken care of as well. Her years of trial experience made her very effective for her client and realistic about what losing the case would mean.

As a woman between the ages of 55 and 60, I could relate to Lee's concerns about aging. Although she mentioned wrinkles and gray hair a few times, I think she was most concerned about losing her edge at work. I have some of the same concerns, being in a field that is entirely dependent on my ability to think clearly and quickly. It's actually nice to see a woman of a certain age portrayed in literature with such sympathy and honesty.

Lee seemed to equate her last court loss to the fact she was getting older. As a result, I think she checked in with herself more on this case to make sure she was covering all her bases. I wondered- -when she was younger- -or had not just come off of a loss that really bothered her--if Lee would have been so willing to take on Phil as a second chair. Maybe having him assist after he was suspended from his position gave her an extra boost of confidence- -there was another person there to catch any mistakes.

I had trouble with Lee's belief that 60 might be "too old" to be effective. She was active, thorough, had a great balance in her life of friends, work, and interests. She also struck me as a confident, competent person so I guess I was surprised that she would would let her age cause her to doubt herself. Was it really her age or was it that she finally lost? Lee is a competitive person- -trouncing the young kid was great example of this! I am pretty young at heart and don't feel my age most days, despite some gray hair and a few wrinkles. And while I don't do cartwheels or run marathons either, I can't imagine stopping doing some of the things I love just because another year passes.

Speaking in the voice of a 75 year old with 10 years experience caring daily for a brilliant mother suffering with advanced dementia until her recent death at age 98, I feel Lee was completely justified in her concerns and acted responsibly. Keep in mind that any errors or omissions on her part during this trial could result in overturning the verdict and a retrial for the accused. The shame and public humiliation would be unbearable.

My own experience in recognizing my advancing age was initially shock and dread for the future. I got past it fairly quickly and decided to "carry on". I believe she would have, as well. She was also fortunate to have her father as an example of aging gracefully.

I realize 60 is not old because I am older than that, however, it is how your mind sees that number. I had a terrible time with 40. I remember thinking my life was almost over and really went into a depression over it. I got though it and Lee certainly will too, but the feeling is real at the time.

I think that her age afforded her the ability develop creative ways to deal with the nuances of the case that a younger lawyer wouldn’t grasp. Her age was able to treat it as a marathon and not a sprint.

I completely relate to her dread of of growing old. All of the issues she raises such as memory loss, losing competitive edge, losing physical abilities have been concerns of mine as I approach the 55 year old mark. I still fear death and am in now way at peace with the thought of dying

I think her angst about her age was overplayed in the story line. I was a little tired of it after a while. Of course, being a little older might be troublesome, but I thought the author used it too much.

I think the problem she had with her age was a bit overplayed. I got tired of it. Her age might have been an asset if she weren’t so concerned with it.

As stated in other posts, with age comes wisdom. It also can create more compassion. Maybe, if she hadn't been so aware of the upcoming birthday, she might not have taken this case. She seemed more willing to roll the dice on this one and risk it all. I didn't see her concern about her age so much as dread as she was surprised and not quite sure how to deal with it. She's a very strong character but also very human. I iked her, warts and al, as I would a friend.

Lee took on the case and Jeremy's situation the same way at close to 60, as she would have at age 30, in my estimation. She's a very sharp lady and has her own value system and evaluation skills well honed professionally. Age can bring a certain objectivity to seeing matters, that one can't find in younger years....sometimes...but Lee seems to me to be a head on, head long type of person who was almost born with full grasp of how things and people are. I can relate somewhat to seeing gravity work on my face and skin folds developing where only former smoothness used to be. I still feel like "me" however, and that means "up and at 'em" In my mind, I'll always be 35.