Rating: Summary: Grisham is definitely one of the best, this proves it. Review: In my opinion, Grisham's last three books have been below average. The Street Lawyer was a horrendous liberal rant. The Testament was a punchless ode to missionaries. The Brethren had an exciting plot without good characters. I don't know why those books suffered, but this book is incredible. I don't know why it turned out so well. Maybe he spent more time on it or had more of a passion for the story, but I this book is certainly one of his bests.At first glance, the plot summary on the book jacket seems very boring. And maybe in a way the story is boring. There are no super bad guys or heroic good guys or grand lawyerly schemes. Instead, this book tells a simple story about the process of being cotton farmers, and relies on incredible characterization to be highly entertaining. Three generations of Chandlers live on a cotton farm. It would seem on the surface they live a simple life and are a lower class family struggling to make ends meet. But through the eyes of the seven-year old narrator (whose words don't sound like a seven year old but whose world-view does), we see how complex their lives are. We also learn about the strict class structure and are introduced to families who have it worse off that the Chandlers. The Spruils, hill people who help harvest the crop, and the Mexicans, who migrate to work in the fields, both offer interesting perspectives and unique characters. Then there are the lowest form of people. The Latchers, sharecroppers who live in a shack in the creek bed. Another interesting aspect of this book was the church life of the characters. Luke Chandler, the narrator, gives the church's opinion on almost everything that happens. This adds just another layer of realism to the small-town life in 1952 when all cotton farmers did was work all week then go to church on Sunday. Many characters in this book interact and Grisham makes you care about all of them. There are murders, sexual discovery, secrets, loss, sacrifice and revenge, all seen through the eyes of a seven year old. This book is funny and interesting. I highly recommend it.
Rating: Summary: Wonderfully written book Review: This book is different from any other Grisham book I have ever read. This book has much more depth to it than his other novels. It is rich in culture and makes you feel as though you are right there with LUke. The symbolism flows freely, along with spurts of action and intrigue. A great book that not only is a great novel just for entertainment, but also for connecting on a deeper level. I recommend this to everyone.
Rating: Summary: It was a quiet kind of story Review: A Painted house was like watching a slow moving film. The story was interesting but told with patience and kindness. I enjoyed the book even with it slowness.
Rating: Summary: A Painted House Review: I thought the book was very good, but from a 7 year old's point of view, I thought it was too mature. I have raised two sons, and they were not interested in girls at that age. I did like the perspective of what it was like to raise cotton in the south, and the hardships that the poor had to endure. I would recommend this book, and found it was easy to read.
Rating: Summary: Listen with a smile ... Review: You know by now that when you open this book, you won't find a story about lawyers. That said, you can now appreciate this wonderful story for what it is. Mr. Grisham's immense talent to create colorful and interesting characters, as well as the incredible situations they often find themselves in, is at its best in this tale of growing up poor in the agricultural south. I listened to this book on cassette and found myself making excuses to go out to lunch and sit in parking lots or drive the long way home just to spend more time with this story. It's entertaining, amusing, suspenseful and moving. Mr. Grisham has the ability to treat his characters with kindness and respect. You walk away with a feeling that you really know what it's like to grow up in the world that Luke did.
Rating: Summary: It better not be a movie! Review: When I first started this book, I had to make myself read a chapter before I could go to bed. It does get better, if you make yourself continue to read. Although John Grisham's effort is touching (based on his life), he needs to stick with his usual arena. I would not recommend.
Rating: Summary: okay.. Review: it is an okay book to read, but i still cant understand how a 7 year old can be that grown up?
Rating: Summary: A significant departure in style pays off for Grisham. Review: I just finished reading John Grisham's latest novel and find it to be absorbing and realistic. He hasn't been this good since The Firm. I would like to think that he has found himself again and I can look forward to his work with anticipation. I was surprised at how I was able to be transported to rural Arkansas through the eyes and words of a seven year old boy. I recommend this book highly to anyone that wants to experience innocence and insight once again. He captures all the mischieviousness of being a child again and lets us see ourselves in Luke's place. Buy it or borrow it....just read it.
Rating: Summary: Grisham's best, seriously Review: I have always enjoyed reading Grisham's books but lately I had grown a little tired of the usual. Don't get me wrong, they are always interesting but I just wondered if there was anything new left in his writings. This book is wonderful. To me, it is one of those books that I will always remember. While that sounds sappy, let me explain why. The book kind of reminds me of the great books that made me fall in love with reading in the first place. Books like My Side of the Mountain and To Kill a Mockingbird. It is told through the eyes of a little boy growing up in 1950's rural Arkansas and deals with everything from accepting different people to just struggling through life. The innocent outlook thing may have been driven into the ground by several different authors but this is one of the few times it works. An authentic book that will make you remember why you read.
Rating: Summary: Appauling Review: For a man who can write such excellent literature this is about the most uninteresting book I have ever read. There is no story line and little action.
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