Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Rainmaker. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Rudy Baylor, a newly licensed lawyer, wins a $50 million verdict against the insurance company Great Benefit for denying a dying young man, Donny Ray Black, the leukemia treatment that might have saved him. But the company goes bankrupt, so the family gets almost nothing, and Rudy, disillusioned, leaves law with Kelly Riker, an abused woman whose violent husband died in a fight with Rudy.
Quick facts
– Book: The Rainmaker by John Grisham
– First published: 1995
– Type: A legal thriller
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Rudy, broke, takes the case of Dot and Buddy Black, whose son Donny Ray was denied coverage. He partners with Deck Shifflet, a “paralawyer.” He also falls for Kelly, who is beaten by her husband Cliff.
What Happens at the End of The Rainmaker
Rudy takes the case to trial against Leo Drummond, a polished defence lawyer from a giant firm, after his first boss's firm collapses. Donny Ray dies before trial, but his videotaped testimony is shown to the jury. A former Great Benefit employee, Jackie Lemancyzk, reveals the company's policy of denying every claim at first. The jury awards $50 million in punitive damages. Instead of paying, Great Benefit's owners hide the money and declare bankruptcy, and the Blacks receive almost nothing. Meanwhile, Kelly agrees to leave her violent husband Cliff. When Cliff attacks them at Kelly's house, Rudy fights him with a baseball bat and Cliff dies; Kelly, to protect Rudy's career, tells the police she did it, and she is not charged because it was clearly self-defence. Disillusioned, Rudy decides to leave law, and he and Kelly drive away to start a new life.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Rudy wins.
- Great Benefit collapses.
- Kelly is freed.
- Rudy leaves law.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Rudy Baylor | Leaves law |
| Kelly Riker | Free from abuse |
| Deck Shifflet | Rudy's partner |
| Donny Ray Black | Dies |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the cost of justice in a corrupt system.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers find the ending realistic and bitter, since the big win means little to the Black family. Grisham drew on his own early years as a small-town lawyer.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Justice. Winning isn't everything.
Corruption. Insurance companies.
Love. Rudy and Kelly.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Rainmaker as bittersweet. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected John Grisham to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how John Grisham closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1997 film with Matt Damon follows the ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Rainmaker with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about justice, and do you agree with John Grisham's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces justice and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what John Grisham leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Rainmaker often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Rainmaker earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Rainmaker on Amazon
Books to Read After The Rainmaker
- The Runaway Jury by John Grisham
- The Firm by John Grisham
Related: The Rainmaker by John Grisham: Summary and Key Takeaways · The Judge’s List by John Grisham: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Rainmaker?
Rudy Baylor, a newly licensed lawyer, wins a $50 million verdict against the insurance company Great Benefit for denying a dying young man, Donny Ray Black, the leukemia treatment that might have saved him. But the company goes bankrupt, so the family gets almost nothing, and Rudy, disillusioned, leaves law with Kelly Riker, an abused woman whose violent husband died in a fight with Rudy.
Is the ending of The Rainmaker happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet.
What does the ending of The Rainmaker mean?
The ending shows the cost of justice in a corrupt system.
Is the ending of The Rainmaker the same in the adaptation?
The 1997 film with Matt Damon follows the ending.
Who wrote The Rainmaker and when was it published?
The Rainmaker was written by John Grisham and first published in 1995.
Is The Rainmaker worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy legal thrillers. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how John Grisham prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Rainmaker before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.