Rating: 
Summary: A new Grisham -- Almost like Falkner
Review: This new book by John Grisham is truly a surprise. No, it's not a legal thriller and matter of fact it's not even a thriller. It's a cute little story--almost in Falkner tradition--about a cotton pickin' kid in the South about half a century ago. I read the book in less than 2 days and I like it. This is an absolutely new Grisham and the cover already hinted that it would be. Grisham is a good writer and "A Painted House" shows his skill. For thriller fans I very much recommend the powerful megathriller THE CONSULTANT by Alec Donzi who perhaps will now take Grisham's place in the thriller category.
Rating: 
Summary: Not your typical Grisham novel
Review: By now, I'm sure everyone is aware that this is a very different novel than anything John Grisham has published previously. This book evokes a particular time and place: the Cotton Belt of the early 1950's, and, like "To Kill a Mockingbird", the story is told from a child's point of view; in this case, a fast-maturing 7-year-old. Unlike "Mockingbird", of course, there are no lawyers or courtroom scenes, although crimes are committed. I highly recommend this book. Nothing much happens in the first 70 pages, but then things get really interesting. In a culture where conservative Christianity is an integral part of every aspect of life, this 7-year-old is quickly faced with a dilemma: lie and be guilty of sin, or tell the truth and risk his family's livelihood (and possibly his own neck). Indeed, the mixed messages that he receives concerning religious beliefs are confusing for a child (and for honest grownups as well). Even more confusing are the early stirrings of sexual attraction toward a girl ten years his senior. This subject is handled in a very tasteful manner, and it inevitably leads, of course, to childhood heartbreak. (Not as serious a heartbreak as the baseball season ending with his beloved Cardinals in third place, however!) He witnesses things a child should never have to see (including two murders) and, as a result, has to grow up faster than most kids his age. His whole style and use of language is fairly mature for a 7-year-old. Unfortunately the last several chapters are not quite as gripping as the middle part of the novel, and the story sort of fizzles out at the end, keeping me from giving it the highest rating. Still, it is very good and worth the time and money. This may not be the Grisham most people are used to, but give it a chance and it will win you over.
Rating:
Summary: Not What You Expect...But Better
Review: I like many people first thought that this book was not going to be a good book. I mean, think about it, Grisham, not writing a Legal Thriller? That's his masterpiece work, why change? But you have to give this book a chance. I went out this morning and bought the book and just finished reading it. This book is definetely a book to add to your John Grisham collection. Even though sometimes it doesn't have same suspense of a legal thriller it has its' own way of manuevering your mind to the extent that you can't put it down. This is another great book by John Grisham!
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Summary: the painted house
Review: I'd gotten a little disappointed in Grisham lately because I thought his writing had become second rate. This was a delightful book, sure not the "usual Grisham you were expecting. But what a well written slice of our past in America
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: A change of pace, but not quite as much as the reviews would have you believe. The tone is not that dissimilar from other Grisham novels, and it is still a thriller (probably the best thriller I've read since Craig Furrnas' THE SHAPE) involving a murder, which is very Grisham. And it takes place in the South. So I recommend it highly.
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Summary: Television Interview
Review: I thought that I would introduce something new to your book review system. Although I have not read his newest book, I have just been watching John Grisham's interview on TV. John considers his book related to his growing up period when he was seven years old in Arkansas. Some of the material is fictionalized, but he has included most of his own experiences in the book. He seems like a pleasant person who carries himself well during the interview, today February 6, 2001. As has been said, there is not a single attorney in the book, dead or alive. Perhaps he is heralding a new era in American Society, where the farm becomes just as important as the courtroom. Cordially, Joseph W. Arabasz MD
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Summary: A Painted House
Review: After reading all of John Grisham's novels A Painted House is a refreshing piece from this author. Readers who would expect to find lawyers and courtroom battles may be disapointed, however, I would urge everyone to read this novel. It is told throught the eyes of Luke Chandler a 7yr old farm boy and readers will not fail to be captivated, enchanted and moved by his experiences. His innocence, develoment and humour will envelop you and in its own way A Painted House is as much a page turner as Grisham's other best sellers. In summary A Painted House illustrates Grisham's ability to tell a diffrent kind of story, outside that of his typical genre, set in a rural farming community and told with a passion and conviction that charms ones heart.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Miss This One!
Review: No, it is not the typical John Grisham suspense novel, but this book gave me a greater appreciation for Grisham and his writing abilities. A PAINTED HOUSE is a work of literary fiction that shows Grisham has a command of more than the tried and true lawyer/suspense formula and is darn good at it. I have read some of the unfavorable reviews and have to guess that these are people who rarely venture out of the "reading comfort zone" of popular fiction. Grisham in suspense mode is great, as is Baldacci, Patterson and others. But, there is a whole other world of great writing and Grisham has dared to venture into the serious world of true-blue literary fiction. The story is narrated by seven year-old Luke Chandler, the son of an Arkansas family renting and farming in 1952 Arkansas. To say Luke "grows up" between the covers would be an understatement. Luke tells us a story of cotton pickers that will have you feeling every possible emotion, right along with young Luke. No, there are no slick lawyers or beautiful law students in A PAINTED HOUSE, but there ARE plenty of wonderful characters that come to life on the pages of this Grisham classic. To stay away from this John Grisham novel because it is not "typical" Grisham, would not be giving yourself enough credit for being able to appreciate a great author, and his work, because he is not writing something that is ready-for-the-screen. Trust the man who brought us THE FIRM, THE PELICAN BRIEF and others to keep you entertained in a different genre, to be sure, but entertained and mesmerized nonetheless. Do yourself a favor -- suspend your judgement about "literary fiction" -- and don't miss this one!!
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Summary: A Lovely Lawyerless Story
Review: I read A Painted House when it was serialized in the wondrous 'Oxford American' magazine and I loved it. It is a lovely book with no judges or crooked lawyers but it does have heroic Americans, Mexican - Americans and one wonderful seven year old boy, Luke, the narrator . The murder is brutal, the times are brutal but the story is delivered in gentle prose wih no sentimentality to cloud the writing. Well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: A Painted House
Review: I have read every one of Grishams books. You could call me a real fan. I read this book in Oxford Magazine, and I found only one fault in it. It was to short. Yes, it is much different than anything else he has written, but so what, it is a great, yes great book. I can't wait until my 15 year old daughter gets time to read it. I see it as a classic for almost any school kid. Told from the view of this 7 year old boy on a poor farm, it had me from page one, and while it was not a great thriller it was a great story that could not have sounded more real. Do yourself a big time favor and don't pass up this wonderfully told story.
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