Rating: 
Summary: sweet, but unremarkable
Review: Having not read John Grisham before, I did not suffer any of the disappointment that some others who are avid fans of his books have expressed at his departure from his regular "lawyer genre." The book was a quick read and held my interest to the end, it is a sweet story told through the eyes of a very likable 7-year old boy named Luke. Unfortunately, the book falls short of real in-depth character development and is fairly predictable. It is a nice story that isn't terribly thought provoking. I wouldn't put it on my "must read" list, but it would be a fine diversion at your next doctor appointment.
Rating: 
Summary: HOME TOWN
Review: The story in A Painted House takes place only 5 miles from where
I grew up and at about the same time period. It brought back
many memories from my childhood. Mr. Grisham's books are always
well written, but this one was totally different from all his
others in subject matter. Still, it was excellent and having
grown up there ment a lot to me.
Rating:
Summary: Slice-of-life novel
Review: Anyone who reads the latest Grisham novel expecting the usual courtroom drama which readers have embraced in the past will be surprised at this totally different genre. Grisham evokes a time from his past, growing up on an Arkansas cotton farm. Although not specifically autobiographical, this book could only be written by someone who knows what it is like to pick cotton in the burning summer sun until his fingers bleed and his back aches. The narrator is a seven-year-old boy who, though somewhat sheltered on his parents' farm, sees life and death in a stark, realistic way. He seems to be everyone's confidante and he carries around secrets which are too much for a 7-year-old. He also relates the closeness of family, the teamwork necessary to keep the farm running and the kindness which his family shows to those less fortunate than themselves. Put away your thoughts of courtrooms and lawyers, and come enjoy the craft of a gifted writer.
Rating: 
Summary: This Can Not be Grisham
Review: If you are reading my review as a long time Grisham fan, I plan to give you insight to this book. First of all, I can tell you this book was only a hit because it had The name John Grishman on it. For all you fans out there, don't buy it. All you housewifes and grandma's this is your book. I've read every Grisham ever written, some of my favorites being The Pelican Breif, The Chamber, and A Time to Kill. Those are fast-paced books on Grishams topic; law. He has strayed so far from his genre of book, that we now see him writing about a little cotton pickin' boy that you'd almost think you'd see on a required reading list in middle school, next to the grapes of wrath. Sure-maye this is a good book, but not for the normal grisham fans. It looks like his next one 'skipping christmas' is along the same lines. I think I'm going to be missing my favorite author for awhile.
Rating:
Summary: Long and boring. . . . .
Review: I was very disappointed in this book by John Grisham. I found it long, boring and tedious. Perhaps, there have been just too many books written about poor people in the South in recent years. I found it difficult to identify with the characters. Some of the main characters were downright unlikeable. I am a teacher, and know seven year olds very well. The seven year old who narrates the story is extremely unrealistic. Seven year olds do not think like this child, nor do they have the vocabulary that this youngster has. I always keep books I enjoy and feel are valuable. This one was given away the very day I finished it!
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Tapestry of Characters
Review: Grisham paints such perfect descriptions of the times and the people that you feel as if you are there. I was drawn in and felt like I was living among the family. His depiction of the cotton farmers' lives in rural Arkansas is so precise and right on the money. Great reading. I couldn't put it down! A must read for a lazy hot summer afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: A different Grisham
Review: A fantastic story without any lawyers as a change. I loved the book.
You will feel happy when reading it.
Before A Painted House I just read Grisham's the Brethren, which I didn't like at all. Normally I am very positive to Grisham's books in general and the Partners was one of my earlier favorites and now Grisham came with a completely new approach in writing.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book for any book reader's collection...
Review: A "Painted House" is an excellent book for any book reader. JWimmer.Com fell in love with John Grisham all over again. A "Painted House" is a wonderful book for any book reader's collection. If you haven't read a "Painted House" yet, you need to now.
Every book that John Grisham brings out sheds new like on reading, if you don't like to read, John Grisham's books will open up a new world of reading. I hope that you take our advice to you, and get a "Painted House" today.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book!!!!!!
Review: A wonderfully nostalgic and involving story of a young boy growing up in a rural setting. Enjoyed it greatly and highly recommend this novel. Full of feelings and family interactions that everyone can identify with. It hooked me on many levels. Great book!!
Rating: 
Summary: Sweat it out in Arkansas with the Chandler Family
Review: 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!
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