The Boys from Biloxi

The book’s first chapters provide detailed context and set the stage for the action to come (culminating in a courtroom trial that pits the Rudys against the Malcos). The historical context about Biloxi serves to demonstrate how deeply crime is ingrained in the community. Illegal activities date as far back as the 1920s prohibition era, when Biloxi was known for serving alcohol: “The biggest obstacle facing any attempts at reform was the longtime corruption of the police and elected officials” (5).

Eventually, Jesse takes on the role of “reformer,” in Part 2 of the book (entitled “The Crusader”). However, Part 1, “The Boys,” focuses on the two polarizing characters of the narrative: Hugh and Keith, childhood friends who later become enemies. To explicate this “friends-to-enemies” story arc, the book starts by examining the boys’ similarities. They’re both born the same year, in Biloxi, to immigrant families of Croatian descent:

Their families lived two streets apart. Their parents and grandparents knew each other well. They went to the same Catholic church, the same schools, played in the same streets, sandlots, and beaches, and fished with their fathers in the Gulf on lazy weekends (8).

One of the strongest bonds between Keith and Hugh is the all-American game of baseball; both are above-average players as kids. The author’s choice to have two kids from immigrant families play baseball exemplifies how families from other countries adapt “traditional” American pastimes and integrate into the United States. In the cases of Keith’s and Hugh’s families, even their family names are adapted: “Malokovic” becomes “Malco,” and “Rudic” becomes “Rudy.” This immigrant background is another similarity and bond between the two boys, who ultimately grow up to become enemies.

The impetus for the schism between Keith and Hugh starts with their families. While Hugh follows in his father’s footsteps to pursue a life of crime, Keith follows in his father’s footsteps to try to rid Biloxi of crime. This introduces the theme of Familial Identity and Legacy, which the narrative explores further in later chapters. Although Keith and Hugh are childhood friends, their loyalties ultimately lie with their respective families—specifically their fathers.

Grisham sets up this story arc by highlighting the differing paths of Lance and Jesse; the fathers’ paths that ultimately shape their sons’ paths. Much like Hugh and Keith, Lance and Jesse share many traits: Both are immigrant sons from Croatia, grew up in Biloxi, served in World War II, and got married shortly after. However, while Jesse goes to law school and becomes a lawyer, Lance gets into business and started opening clubs, bars, and casinos. Jesse is the immigrant kid who “made good,” known as the first local lawyer of Croatian descent in the area: “Jesse Rudy’s success became the source of many proud stories on the Point” (28). Meanwhile, Lance establishes a reputation as a savvy businessman—albeit with a dark side: “With four clubs now under this thumb, Lance Malco controlled the largest share of vice along the Coast” (36).

In addition, the book’s early chapters demonstrate the brutality of the criminal underworld that Lance helps shape. For example, when Mr. Cleveland, the owner of Foxy’s club, starts a “brothel” price war, Lance reacts by sending Nevin to assault him. Mr. Cleveland ends up in the hospital and closes down Foxy’s. The narrative also reveals how Hugh is exposed to this world of violence as a young man. When he’s a teenager, he accompanies Nevin on a mission to beat up a man who assaulted Cindy, a sex worker in one of Lance’s clubs. Nevin’s attack on the man is described in graphic detail. Hugh observes the incident and seems inspired by it, taking up boxing shortly after. The narrative establishes that Hugh may be a teenager but is already sliding into the violent underworld.