Rating: 
Summary: I Was Disappointed
Review: "A Painted House" is the least favorite of my Grisham novels, and I have read most of them. Is the problem with the situation? Not really. Grisham takes us into the lives of the Chandlers, a poor cotton-growing family in the Arkansas Delta in the fall of 1952, and their make-or-break cotton harvest. The entire story is told through the eyes of Luke Chandler, who at that time was seven years old (though the "voice" is clearly adult; this is the same technique Harper Lee used with Scout in "To Kill a Mockingbird"). We come to know Luke's parents and grandparents, the violent Ozark family and the [Migrant farmworkers]; who come to stay temporarily to help with the harvest. Descriptions of pre-mechanized cotton picking abound, and Grisham is equally convincing when he takes Luke into town for church, visiting or shopping. As always, Grisham's eye for subtle gradations of class and caste is acute.It was while in town that Luke witnesses a vicious crime, and soon after he has the opportunity to tell the law all about it. But he doesn't--for an understandable motive--and he watches in dismay as his little lie spreads like a disease. Grisham's way with suspense is just as good as ever. So what am I complaining about? The end of the book. There isn't a climax here, just a slow fizzling out. It's as though Grisham has constructed a marvelous plot mechanism that doesn't have any sparkle left by the book's end. Luke has already come to a more sophisticated understanding of adult mores and morals, the family's econmic future has been foreordained and foreshadowed in many different ways, and the end of the book seemed arbitrary and forced. Not to mention un-entertaining. No Boo Radleys here! To borrow a line from Oscar Wilde, it was just as boring as reality. It's a shame that so much craftsmanship went into this book without a more satisfactory ending. I guess if you're a real Grisham fan like me you'll still want to read "A Painted House," but I certainly can't hold it up as one of his better efforts.
Rating: 
Summary: No his usual--better than expected
Review: I enjoyed this book--even my husband liked it and he rarely reads anything. It was easy to read but the characters were interesting enough to keep your attention. "Painted House" is nothing like "The Firm" or any of Grisham's other books. It's more down-to-earth and tells the struggle of a family in Arkansas to just make ends meet--sort of a smaller "Grapes of Wrath" but without all the traveling. Also try Grisham's "Last Juror" or "The Bark of the Dogwood" by J.T. McCrae. All three of these are excellent reads.
Rating: 
Summary: What happened to the ending?
Review: 1ST let me say I love John Grisham but this was not one of his best works. It was if the story just ended. You want to see what happens to the characters when you read a book and this one just left you hanging. Not one story line was finished. You get to a point in the book and think it must be coming up...then you realize you only have 20 pages left and he can't tie up all the loose ends. The ending of this book was a big disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: This is not your typical John Grisham book. When I started reading it, I didn't know anything about it. By the end, I was crying because it so moved me. I truly enjoyed this book. It's written from the perspective of a young boy who doesn't completely understand everything that's going on around him. I really enjoyed that aspect of the story because it's so different from so many other books out there, expecially other John Grisham books. If you just read Grisham for the lawyers and courtroom antics, you won't want to read this book, but if you want to read an excellent book, I truly recommend this one.
Rating:
Summary: His best book!
Review: This is a great book. JG tends to be a little "light" in the litterary department. Don't get me wrong, his books are usually a lot of fun to read, and real page turners, but shakespeare it isn't. This one is truly great litterature, and a real departure from his usual style. I highly remommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A Painted House
Review: I found this book compelling and unpredictable! It begins a little slow for my taste, but definitly picks up about half way through the book. I fell in love with the characters and the way John Grisham brought such drama and intensity to what would seem to be such a normal,predictable book. Unlike most of his other novels where Grisham uses lawyers and intense trials to keep the novel thrilling and exciting, he used a simple American family and a confused 7 year old boy to get that same heroic, adventerous feel. I was thouroughly impressed and engaged throughout the entire novel.
Rating:
Summary: Really liked it
Review: This book is life changing. I read it a year ago, and I still can't stop thinking about the characters or the wonderful storyline itself. As a young woman, I seriously went from wanting a house in the suburbs to yearning for a farm house in the remote country after reading this. This novel is full of family values that our society is lacking today. The only other book that made me "yearn" for someplace else was "Bark of the Dogwood" with its colorful characters and descriptions of the South. I also loved experiencing this story throughout the eyes of a little boy, which I found refreshing. If you are due for a visit to the past then this book is your ticket there.
Rating:
Summary: Luke in St. Louise
Review: Gran was left in the Chandler's house crying with the rest of the Lather's Family..Pappy drive them to the Bus Station. Luke reminiscing the last look of the County Black Oak. She went to Pop and Pearl to say Good-bye.(Pearl and Pop new that they are going to live County). Luke gave Pearl a bag of Candy... A good time for travelling eating candies.. They arrive to the Bus station and Pappy without a word went to his truck and say bye bye to luke and to his parents. the sadness was in the face of Pappy.. The Father of Luke went to the ticket booth and bought 3 ticket to St. Louise ... As when Luke heard this he began to ask question of his father.. Asking if he will see his idol Stan Musial..
Rating:
Summary: I really really liked it!
Review: Its not a really exciting book or anything, But it was captivating, you will really want to finish this story, I want a sequel Mr Grisham.
Rating:
Summary: Grisham had me 'til the bitter end...
Review: This book completely captivated me immediately. Although not a suspenseful read, it was compelling and intriguing. I was instantly humbled by the simplistic lifestyle, the harsh reality of living off the land, depending on God's nature to feed and protect. A 7-year old boy working dawn until dusk in the fields with his family, dreaming of life beyond the farm, his only entertainment are his dreams and the family radio. Oh, how my heart broke as the story came to a close! Grisham left me begging for more - I want to know what happens next! Where's the sequel, John???
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