Rating: 
Summary: non-eventful
Review: Being an avid Grisham reader I always snap up a copy of his latest novel in order to be carried away, if for only a short time, in fast action, suspense and puzzle-solving. Although this book is of course well written, I have been sorely dissappointed in the plot - or lack of one. I read Grisham books in order to be swept away and this one swept me in a corner with nowhere to go but to sleep. When I was half way through the book clinging only to two fights and a bare chest for excitement, I began to lose interest. I wish I had borrowed it from the library.
Rating: 
Summary: Does anyone else remember reading this story before? Help
Review: Can I start by saying I really enjoyed this book, I found it both charming and funny. The only downside is it reads a bit like a padded out short story something that began to make sense after a while as you will see.I am sure I have read this story or one nearly identical to it. I put down my initial impressions of familiarity down to the fact that it is about Growing up in the deep South and written from a child's perspective ala 'To Kill a Mocking Bird' The hardship encountered by the Chandler family was also reminiscent of Steinbeck (As many other reviewers have pointed out here). By halfway I was convinced that I had read the story before, a long time ago. It was a short story and may have been in a magazine or even part of a collection of short stories, but I cannot remember where when or who wrote it -darn! As I read on I discovered that everything was as I remembered it, all the characters and the key events. Then I remembered one crucial fact about the painting of the house, which was integral to the original short story I read. I waited very patiently to the end and there it was slightly de - emphasised, but present non-the less. I wont say what it is in case I spoil this for someone who has yet to read the book. According to Grisham this narrative is semi autobiographical. Could he have written it as a short story before he became famous? It would not be the first time that has happened. Does anyone else share this feeling or know for a fact what short story I am reffering to?
Rating:
Summary: not what you expect from grisham
Review: I was extremely dissapointed in the book-it was nothing like the Grisham books I have loved in the past. This is not in any way lawyer or crime related. It is just a simple book about simple people in a pretty simple way of life. I'd say pass on this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Waiting for more.....
Review: While reading this book I kept being reminded of a young boy, Porter Osborne, on a farm in Georgia during the depression. Having read Ferrol Sams' trilogy I am hoping and waiting for John Grisham to give me more of Luke Chandler. Although I throughly enjoyed all of Grisham's books, it was really refreshing to find another side with not a single lawyer "living or dead". Please hurry and give us another one!
Rating: 
Summary: A different look at life
Review: The John Grisham fans that were expecting another slick legal thriller will be disappointed in A Painted House. But for those of us, who just enjoy a good story, this is definitely one to read. Set in Black Oak, Arkansas in 1952 during the cotton picking season, the story is told by 7-year-old Luke Chandler, who lives in the cotton fields with his parents and grandparents but dreams of being a Cardinal baseball player. The story takes place over 6 weeks and tells of a young boy's journey from the innocence of childhood to the rocky road of adulthood. . Luke's family rents 80 acres of farmland and hires both hill people, the ones who lived up in the mountains, and Mexicans to help them pick the crops. Over the course of the 6 weeks, young Luke becomes privy to several secrets that threatens not only the family's ability to get the cotton crop in, but their social standing in the community. He also falls in love for the first time, has his heart broken and learns more about life than a 7-year-old wants or needs to know. Grisham provides a fascinating look into the social hierarchy of life in rural Arkansas, where everyone is poor but some are poorer than others are. Each group seems pleased to find someone below them on the social ladder and works very hard at proving that they are above someone.
Rating:
Summary: An experiential coming of age
Review: This book harkens back to a different time and a different place. While the life seemed simpler than our daily grind in some respects, it still was a much harder life than we face daily. Luke, the 7-year old narrator, came of age over the course of the cotton harvest of 1952. His eyes were opened to the hardship of life, the uncertainty of life, the temptations of life, the evils of life, and the wonderful memories of life, all at the same time. He faced love, wonderment, hard work, concern, and fear, and dealt with them with the maturity of a man. The writing is in Grisham's wonderfully descriptive style which transports the reader into the book and enables him or her to hear the sounds, smell the smells, see the colors, and fully experience the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Slower than a sedated snail
Review: Bought this book expecting a regular Grisham potboiler, and found myself sorely disappointed. Found the characters, themes, language, everything about The Painted House banal,trite and downright boring. Finished the book only out of respect for one of my favourite authors, and prayed that he goes back to writing brilliant reads like Runaway Jury and The Brethren.
Rating:
Summary: Not a typical John Grisham Novel
Review: This is quite a departure from his other novels. It draws you into a little boy's world and keeps you there to the end. Surprisingly, I found that I couldn't put it down. Although I am not a cotton farmer nor ever have been a 7 year old boy, I related to these characters. It fascinated me to glimpse into this odd collection of people. My only fault with the book is I felt the loose ends needed to be tied up a little more in the end. I guess that is a mark of a great writer to always keep you guessing.
Rating:
Summary: Grisham Holds You
Review: This may not be a standard Grisham theme, but who really cares if it isn't! The characters still shine, you care about them and are caught in their journey. It was a good read, and set up nicely for a sequel, i.e. what are the real fates of Luke, Tally and the rest?
Rating:
Summary: Different
Review: Not his norm, however a very clever and witty story line. It will keep you turning the pages just to find out what will happen!!
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