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" Wonderful story line about family, hardships, growing up and moving on. The audio version is fantastic. Easy to follow the changes in voice to match the characters. Thank you! "
- Jpron, 6/1/2022
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" This story is a deviation from Grisham's legal thrillers. It's a coming-of-age story told from the perspective of 7-year-old Luke Chandler in rural Arkansas in 1952. I feel sure Mr. Grisham drew from his experience in similar circumstances as a youth. Luke's family are cotton farmers. His mother is a city girl who never expected to be stuck on an Arkansas cotton farm and wants more for her son than what the hard rural life offers. Although this is a slower paced story than his thrillers, Grisham does a masterful job developing the characters and making the reader care about what happens to them.
There is conflict between the locals and the hill people of the Ozarks and Mexican migrant workers who come to help harvest the cotton. Tension mounts when there's a murder, and a fatherless baby is born. And mysteriously, the bare clapboards of the Chandler house are gradually being painted a gleaming white...and no one knows who's doing the painting! Readers with a rural background will identify with the characters and events.
I'll admit that I didn't put this story at the top of my “must listen” list, but once I started listening I was glad I did! "
- Kathey Shaw, 4/8/2022
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" This book made me think of John Steinbeck's GRAPES OF WRATH. In places it became too heartbreaking to read. Very good writing! "
- Jonita, 2/15/2014
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" The struggles of a cotton farm in Arkansas told through the eyes of a seven year old. It is a poignant picture of the struggles of the rural poor. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It is a departure from the legal stories that John Grisham tells, but it is well written and enjoyable. "
- Richard, 2/11/2014
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" ok so i found this book in my garage and gave it a go and I will say its one slow but interesting country book. I like the word "sod buster" any ways I have read several of John G books so I know the man can write and so the story had its way of growing on me and had it comical and suspenseful interludes. Its all from the point of view of a very intelligent 7 year old boy. You should find this book likable. "
- Zarinah, 2/5/2014
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" A great story about life in the rural south in the 1950s, all told through the eyes of a young boy, which made it a truly unique read. Having an interest in farming and everything rural, I really liked the rural setting. As with all of Grisham's books that I've read so far, this was one I didn't want to put down till the very end. My only criticism was the end, which seems to leave a lot of loose ends. No real closure. It seemed to me that it ended too soon, and perhaps a sequel is in order. Otherwise a great story and one I would recommend very highly. "
- R.L., 1/29/2014
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" Not the usual Grisham fare. "
- Biogeek, 1/26/2014
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" This book was not my favorite mainly due to the lack of any really exciting moments, other than a few small bits here and there. My favorite thing about the book is the fact that it does give us a good look into the past decades of our country. It really puts a picture in your head of what it was like. So if you enjoty American History, I would definetly recomend this book. "
- Kp2, 1/23/2014
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" I really enjoyed this one. It reminds me of the stories older members of the churches I've visited have told me. "
- Churchill19, 1/22/2014
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" I somewhat enjoyed this story of a summer spent in 1952 Arkansas as seen through the eyes of a child. My disbelief that a 7-year-old would think, act and reason as Luke does distracted me throughout the novel. Grisham repeatedly reminds us that Luke is only 7; which is necessary because I inevitably thought of him as at least 10 years old if not a little older. As the mother of two boys Luke's actions often seemed very unrealistic to me. I wanted the story to feel authentic and would have enjoyed it much more if it had. Normally I don't mind if a story ends without all the plot points resolved but in this case I felt cheated because nothing seemed resolved. I wanted to know if Ricky comes back from the war, do the Latchers remain on the farm, what happens to Tally & Trot and how does the Chandler family's life change after they move to Michigan. I cared about the characters enough to want to know what happens to them so for that the novel gets 3 stars. "
- Shea, 1/21/2014
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" I like John Grisham's legal thrillers for light reading. This is something very different. A Painted House is literary fiction of highest quality, among the best I've read. "
- Robert, 1/18/2014
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" Since this book was so different from his others I put off reading it until a lady on the plane was reading it and said it was so good and she was RIGHT! "
- Janiej78, 1/15/2014
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" Pure crap, in my opinion. Grisham should stick with law thrillers. "
- Chris, 1/12/2014
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" Best book Grisham ever wrote. "
- David, 12/22/2013
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" One of my favorite John Grisham books about hard life on a farm. "
- Pat, 11/30/2013
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" An enjoyable twist to the typical Grisham formula. "
- Nathalie, 11/18/2013
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" Worst book ever by John...very disappointed :( "
- Joauk, 8/4/2013
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" I was sad when it ended! I wanted more of the story. Maybe Grisham will write a sequel. Excellent read. "
- Jennie, 7/2/2013
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" I really liked this book. When I first bought the book, way back in whenever, I couldn't get into it. So, now, I finally picked it back up and it was much better than I ever thought it would be. My only problem with it is would a 7-year old really be that mature in his thoughts at times? "
- Kevin, 4/19/2013
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" Another departure from the legal format for John Grisham. OK book, never really got into the story. "
- Leslie, 12/26/2012
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" The character descriptions were fantastic, I felt like I knew them personally. The setting was described with great detail and easy to imagine. I wish the story had moved a little faster and had covered a longer span of time, but all in all, a good read. "
- Carolyn, 12/8/2012
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" What an amazing story from Grisham. I'm very impressed! Great read. "
- Peg, 8/16/2012
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" One of my all-time favorite books! "
- Sonny, 6/3/2012
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" FINALLY finished it last 4 chapters was better than whole book did not like the way it ended. "
- Arlie, 5/20/2012
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" Lol, I read this when I was what? 12? 11? I remember how confused I was. But I did get most of the story. It was nice ans suspenseful somewhat. "
- Kimberley, 3/14/2012
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" Thanks to Danielle for the reccomendation. What a wonderful narrative and beautiful characters. If John Grisham produced more of this type of literature, he could easily become the best writer America has had in a century. "
- Matthew, 3/5/2012
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" Beautifully written novel about life on an Arkansas cotton farm in the 1950s. You appreciate the hard work of the American farmer. "
- Patty, 9/1/2011
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" The only John Grisham book I have ever liked. "
- Frankie, 7/28/2011
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" John Grisham has to stick to writing legal thrillers. "
- Amanda, 7/26/2011
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" Riveting! So different than the other Grisham books... "
- Joy, 5/26/2011
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" I found it interesting, how a child's life can be altered by a senseless act.
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- Mary, 5/23/2011
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" I was sad when it ended, so what happens to them now? Sequel please.
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- Jessica, 5/14/2011
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" Surprisingly good for being outside the realm of his legal bailywick. I don't know what possessed him to write this, unless he was getting his childhood out of his system, but it's good. The story is sensitive without being sentimental and the writing is better than a lot of his other books.
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- Geoffrey, 5/13/2011
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" I am not a huge John Grisham book, but this book I think was amazing.
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- Yuri, 5/9/2011
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" Enjoyable despite the fact it wasn't one of his thrillers. It had soul and showed a side of Grisham I admire even though it wasn't the best literary novel ever. I liked it better than the lesser of his thrillers.
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- Richard, 5/7/2011
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" If I wasn't strong in the spirit, I would have hurled myself out a window after reading this-which by the way was one of the most difficult books ever for me to finish. Supremely boring and lacklustre.
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- Dee, 5/5/2011
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" Excellent read. I didn't want the book to end. Charming Little Luke Chandler kept me entertained throughout his challenging little boy fears and hopes and all the secrets.
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- Kathleen, 4/29/2011
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" It's been a while since I read this book but I remember liking it.
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- Janice, 4/24/2011
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" It was an easy and entertaining read as with all Grisham books. A Painted House was a nice detour from his usual court house drama. I enjoyed it very much.
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- Emily, 4/22/2011
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" I really enjoyed this one. It reminds me of the stories older members of the churches I've visited have told me.
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- Churchill19, 4/17/2011
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" Loved it! Totally recommend.
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- Andrea, 4/16/2011
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" Very different from his legal thrillers. Enjoyed it very much.
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- Laurie, 4/14/2011
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" Great story. Unlike anything that John Grisham has written before.
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- Karentokmakoff, 4/10/2011
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