Rating: 
Summary: A Fine Change for Grisham
Review: An excellent historical account of the way life was in the '50s in rural Arkansas. The story is told through the eyes of young Luke Chandler and covers one cotton harvesting season on a three-generation family farm. A somewhat depressing book, as the farmers just don't seem to ever get ahead, the weather never cooperates, and the book ends with Luke and his family giving up on farming and moving to greener pastures in urban America. I just wish they could have waited for a dam and cotton technology. A fine change for Grisham from the beautiful people driving around in their Beemers and practicing law. I hope that he tries this again.
Rating: 
Summary: Very very weak effort by Grisham
Review: Even for a die-hard Grisham fan, this book was very very lame. The writing style is definitely Grisham, which is a good thing, and the fact there are not any lawyers in the story is not necessarily a bad thing.But the plot itself is incredibly weak, to the point of being almost non-existant. The character development is shallow and predictable. The "suspense" of who is painting the house is a joke. I couldn't believe how slowly things developed, until I realized that he had developed them as far as he was going to - and that was it. End of book. Do yourself a favor, don't buy this book new. It's a waste of money. If you absolutely must read it, pick up a copy at a garage sale or a used book store. And don't say I didn't warn you.
Rating: 
Summary: Fine change of pace - need to see more like this.
Review: It's great to see someone jump out of their typical line of work and succeed in something new. Grisham moves abruptly from the courtroom and into a subject he knows equally well - life in the rural south. The story is, of course, about a boy's view of hardscrabble life in 1950's cotton farmering Arkansas. The characters are generally well crafted and Grisham paints an realistic picture of the tough life of a poor family with three generations under one roof.
Many reviewers bemoan an apparent lack of action. Hmm, a boy witnesses two murders during a month-long cotton picking season. That should count for something. Non-stop action isn't what these stories are about. Speaking of these coming of age tales, it's not just the story but how it's told. Other great tales don't need lots of action, intrigue, and mystery - they just tell a simple story well (of course, see Lee's Mockingbird). Great story and telling of it. I agree that Grisham hasn't nailed down Luke's point of view that great - the kid seems more like 13 than seven. Also, some main characters, like Luke's father, could use some more detail. All in all, though, thumb's up.
Rating:
Summary: A different type of novel, but still very good
Review: I would agree with the previous reviewers who said that if you are looking for the typical Grisham novel, you are not going to get it here.
With that said, This is still an outstanding novel. The character development is very good, and this novel will give you a new appreciation for those who make their living in farming.
There are two minor weaknesses with this novel. The plot is a little slow in getting started, and the novel is probably inappropriately titled. A Cotton Harvest may have been a more appropriate title. A Painted House does not really encompass the story the way Grisham's previous titles encompassed his previous stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Glad to have read it
Review: I can understand the inconsistent reviews for this book, though I side with those who enjoyed it. I am not a Grisham fan--this is the only book I've read by him--so I do not feel let down by his apparent departure from his usual characters and subject matter. I found this to be a basically good read, even though I had to regularly suspend my belief because the main character cannot be seven years old. He thinks and acts like someone several years older than that. I recommend this book if you just want some easy-to-digest reading, and like to get to know a whole family, and more, of down-to-earth characters.
Rating:
Summary: It is not what you are expecting form Grisham
Review: If you are a reader of previous John Grisham books where you are cough be the suspense, events, plots and Law, then this is NOT the book for you to read.
I was so furiuos to pass the first seven chapters without any excitement. I really was forcing my self to continue reading but that was invain.
Rating:
Summary: good
Review: I liked it even tho the main character was too young to be having thoughts of sex, etc. I think he should have been at least 12 - 13 years old. Good plot and character development. A good Grisham read, but I prefer the legal theme.
Rating:
Summary: Hours of My Life I Can Never Reclaim
Review: If I had a choice, it wouldn't have received even a 1 star rating. What has happed to John Grisham? I've enjoyed his law-based quick-read-mind-candy that he's cranked out in the past, but this book was awful. Filled with unendingly dull reiterations of cotton growing/farming/picking I wanted to blind myself. His sick portrayal of a 7 year old boy who expresses realistic 14 year old tendencies continually piqued my anger throughout the book. I drudged through to the highly predictable ending that only proved to me that Grisham should stick to what he knows. I've decided to pass on the future recommendations of friends who told me this was a must read. So happy I didn't buy it.
Rating:
Summary: The Peter Lorenza Review Is On Target
Review: This book must strike a special chord with anyone who grew up at least 30 years ago in the rural south. But it will equally charm those who cannot relate personally to the lifestyle and experiences described, much in the same manner that "To Kill A Mockingbird" has stirred the hearts and captured the fascination of people from all manner of background and experience. Thank you, John, for this touching memoir. Keep your highlighter capped...there are no memorable quotes, but the book is a keeper and, like all of Grisham's works, will make a fine movie in the right hands.
Rating:
Summary: MOVING STORY!
Review: Luke Chandler, a 7 yr. old farm boy living with his mother,father and grandparents in rural Arkansas, narrates this marvelous story. The Chandlers live in a house that was never painted......During the 1952 harvest season, they hire a family from the Ozarks and a group of Mexicans to help them pick the fields of cotton......During the six weeks they battle weather,fatigue, and sometimes violence also errupts....Luke is witness to many things that he keeps secret and because of his tender age some of these secrets horrify him.....During this harvest season, Luke goes from innocence to knowledge....The Chandlers didn't have much in material goods, but shared whatever they did have with those who had even less.....These were harsh times, but this memoir of John Grisham shows much goodness and kindness......I loved this book.
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