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Summary: what a book!!
Review: i thouroughly enjoyed the book and i neither could put it down nor did i want it to end. i actaully stopped myself from finishing the last chapter and rather chose to extend it to the next morning when i took hours to read and re-read each word, sentence, phrase and imagine i was lil' luke chandler. the end was so captivating, it almost made me cry.
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Summary: Not Grisham Quality
Review: John Grisham has strayed from the subject matter he has previously mastered - lawyers. Instead of a compelling story that draws one to the next page, I was forced to endure a rather long boring story line. Very disappointing from one of the most talented authors of modern times. Here's hoping that this was only a one-time venture.
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Summary: Best "cotton picking" book I've ever read...
Review: The only disappointing part of the book is the last page. It leaves you wondering, "What happened next?" A Painted House is a story of one summer in the south that is timeless...as told by a little seven year old boy. There is plenty of humor and page-turning suspence. Excellent!
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Summary: Worth reading
Review: A Painted House is set in 1952 on a cotton farm in Arkansas. It is written from the perspective of a young boy named Luke. Harvesting has just begun and the Chandler family has hired "hill people" and Mexicans to bring in the crop. This mix of new people upsets the balance on the farm. During the following weeks, Luke witnesses several dramatic events and is asked to keep many secrets. These events threaten the Chandlers livelihood and cause Luke to grow up quickly. Grisham paints a vivid portrait of rural life in the 50s. The characters are both believable and well developed.
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Summary: This is a great book
Review: I have been a John Grisham for a few years now and was very enthusiastic when I saw his new book came out. I thought this book was very well written, kept me interested from page one. I loved the fact that this book was narrated from the viewpoint of a 7 year old. It was very refreshing getting a child's perspective. The only thing I was disappointed with was the ending. When I read the last page I immediately wanted to know how their lives would be now. That was my only disappointed. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: The Best of John Grisham
Review: This is without a doubt the best John Grisham has ever written. It is so different from his previous novels. The story is so like life in the south in the the early sixties. I would recommend this Grisham novel to every one. The descriptions of life in the South are so realistic. Children worked the fields to help get the cotton in, televisions were few and far between, and color televisions even more rare. Floods were a fact of life and still are.In some areas of the South people still live this way. If you haven't read "A Painted House", read it today.
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Summary: I see how this works!
Review: As I read through the reviews of Grisham's new book, it becomes apparent to me that many people do not enjoy change. I, for one, appreciate Mr. Grisham's versatility. In music, if a composer does not diversify, they become known as a formula composer. I think the same could apply to literary giants, as well. "A Painted House" IS a new direction for John Grisham, and it is a fabulous book. If you expect adventure and suspense, you won't be disappointed. However, you will need to read into the characters to find the suspense! This novel has the makings of an American classic, much in the lines of William Faulkner! Read it with an open mind, and enjoy!
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Summary: The Digress of Grisham
Review: This book is nothing expected from Grisham. No courtrooms, no affidavits, and no business suits. This book is a breath of fresh air. Grisham shows he has more talent than I gave him credit for.
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Summary: A good effort.
Review: As with all of his books, I found the writing here very compelling. Grisham can really draw you into his stories. I thought he did a great job of developing the core characters; however, I don't think he developed the Spruills enough. Why were they motivated to do the things they did? How did these major events in their lives affect them? Also, Luke was not believable as a seven year old. Perhaps 10, but no younger than that. I take issue with the feeling that this was a total departure from his usual - a character caught in the middle of a scandal and the good guys run off into the sunset. But all in all a great effort for a first "literary" book.
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Summary: Them Ole Cotton Fields Back Home
Review: The 50's in rural midwest or the south; life was the same for cotton farmers; long gruelling days, no air conditioning, plenty to eat, and baseball! Thank you John Grisham for reminding me how bountiful the simpler times were. Audio performer, David Lansbury, did a brilliant reading; vocally distinguishing Grisham's many colorful characters. All in all, a very entertaining and enlightening story. Although simple, remembering how complex and blown out of proportion incidents seemed to me as a child, was the most wistful, sentimental feature of this read.
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