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Title: A Painted House by John Grisham ISBN: 0-440-23722-X Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 26 December, 2001 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.77 (943 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Harper Lee meets Hemingway
Comment: Don't read this book if you're looking for a fast-paced, well-plotted, edgy, sardonic look at the American legal system. This is Grisham's breakaway book -- the legal thriller is a genre he had been growing out of, if the past few books are any indication (The Brethren, which I rather enjoyed, seemed to be a kind of last-gasp effort to honour expectations)-- and he doesn't do too badly. But it takes a really sympathetic reader to comprehend that; one starts a Grisham with certain expectations, but this one doesn't quite live up to them. It's difficult to say what the reception to the book would have been had it been a completely unknown author writing, but Grisham carries a lot of baggage. As the story of seven-year-old Luke's initiation into the big, bad adult world, the book moves at a languid pace, rich in description and -- alas, unavoidably -- mundaneness. Perhaps the most gripping part of the novel are the scenes following Hank's murder. Grisham captures the trauma of the child admirably. Go ahead and read the book, but don't expect The Firm or The Client.
Rating: 4
Summary: Sweat it out in Arkansas with the Chandler Family
Comment: True, it's not exactly "Huckleberry Finn" or "Catcher on the Rye," but "A Painted House" is a fun "coming of age" novel. Grisham has suprised us all in trying this new format, taking a break from the common theme of his first 8 or 9 books, all about lawyers and judges. Not a single legal character to be found in this book, with the exception of the town sherrif.
Luke is a seven year old boy reaching an age where he starts to have the cognitive/emotional abilities to understand some of the more complex issues of life, that adults deal with everyday. The story deals with this curious (and very bright) mind during the summer of his seventh year, where he lives on a cotton farm in Mississipi.
The story doesn't seem to have one specific plot...it's more like his memoirs for that summer. But there are several sub-plots that deal with these "issues" that I mentioned before. Some of them are:
-Racism/Classim. The family farm hires Mexicans and "Hill" People every summer, and racial tensions abound.
-Economic Survival. What to do when the farm is suffering economically due to weather, to a point where the family could go into debt. The "climax" in the last few pages tell how they decide to deal with this.
-Moral Decisions: If you witnessed something you weren't supposed to, what are the consequences of telling? And of not telling? What should you do?
These and more themes/plots are interwoven throughout the story, including a crush on a 17 year old girl, adventures at a town fair and town baseball game, and much more.
The characters are real and likeable (except of course the bullies, who you'll love to hate). I felt like I was on the farm with them, sweating it out in the fields, looking forward to the Saturday trip to the movies and store, etc. His narration is great; we tap into the thoughts of this boy (who I heard, by the way, is loosely based on himself at that age) and really feel some of the dilemnas he is going through.
It's weird to read that many people were looking for more lawyers/judges and were disappointed. It's a nice story, I don't know why anybody would give it a low rating. Keep up the good work, John!
Rating: 5
Summary: CONVINCED OF GRISHAM'S ABILITY
Comment: I always thought that Grisham was a good writer, but this book has certainly pushed him beyond excellent. A good book is something that touches inside and this book certainly did that. Being a fellow who grew up an urbanite during the 70's and 80s,this book took me body and soul to another time and place...rural America in the early part of the 20th century. It amazed me how I could relate to this tale, yet it was enthralling. Wonderful work.
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Title: The Summons by John Grisham ISBN: 0440241073 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 17 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Skipping Christmas by JOHN GRISHAM ISBN: 0385508417 Publisher: Doubleday Pub. Date: 29 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Brethren by John Grisham ISBN: 0440236673 Publisher: Island Books Pub. Date: 26 December, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Street Lawyer by JOHN GRISHAM ISBN: 0440225701 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 05 January, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Testament by John Grisham ISBN: 0440234743 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 28 December, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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