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Ford County: Stories Audiobook, by John Grisham Play Audiobook Sample

Download Ford County: Stories Audiobook

3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 (3.00) - 7,803 customer ratings
Ford County: Stories Audiobook, by John Grisham Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: John Grisham Narrator: John Grisham Publisher: Random House Audio Audio Length: Release Date: November 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9780307702111
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Publisher Description

In his first collection of short stories John Grisham takes us back to Ford County, Mississippi, the setting of his first novel, A Time to Kill.

Wheelchair-bound Inez Graney and her two older sons, Leon and Butch, take a bizarre road trip through the Mississippi Delta to visit the youngest Graney brother, Raymond, who's been locked away on death row for eleven years. It could well be their last visit.

Mack Stafford, a hard-drinking and low-grossing run-of-the-mill divorce lawyer gets a miracle phone call with a completely unexpected offer to settle some old, forgotten cases for more money than he has ever seen. Mack is suddenly bored with the law, fed up with his wife and his life, and makes drastic plans to finally escape.

Quiet, dull Sidney, a data collector for an insurance company, perfects his blackjack skills in hopes of bringing down the casino empire of Clanton's most ambitious hustler, Bobby Carl Leach, who, among other crimes, has stolen Sidney's wife.

Three good ol' boys from rural Ford County begin a journey to the big city of Memphis to give blood to a grievously injured friend. However, they are unable to drive past a beer store as the trip takes longer and longer. The journey comes to an abrupt end when they make a fateful stop at a Memphis strip club.

The Quiet Haven Retirement Home is the final stop for the elderly of Clanton. It's a sad, languid place with little controversy, until Gilbert arrives. Posing as a lowly paid bedpan boy, he is in reality a brilliant stalker with an uncanny ability to sniff out the assets of those "seniors" he professes to love.

One of the hazards of litigating against people in a small town is that one day, long after the trial, you will probably come face-to-face with someone you've beaten in a lawsuit. Lawyer Stanley Wade bumps into an old adversary, a man with a long memory, and the encounter becomes a violent ordeal.

Clanton is rocked with the rumor that the gay son of a prominent family has finally come home, to die. Of AIDS. Fear permeates the town as gossip runs unabated. But in Lowtown, the colored section of Clanton, the young man finds a soul mate in his final days.

Featuring a cast of characters you'll never forget, these stories bring Ford County to vivid and colorful life. Often hilarious, frequently moving, and always entertaining, this collection makes it abundantly clear why John Grisham is our most popular storyteller.

From the Hardcover edition.

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Quotes

  • -

  • Grisham shows off his literary chops: He can do wry, emotional, funny, serious.

    - USA Today 

  • The best writing John Grisham has ever done.

    - Pat Conroy 

  • Terrifically charming . . . You absolutely can’t stop reading.

    - The Washington Post

  • “The best writing John Grisham has ever done.”

    - Pat Conroy

  • “Grisham shows off his literary chops: He can do wry, emotional, funny, serious.”

    - USA Today

  • “Terrifically charming.”

    - Washington Post

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller
  • A USA Today bestseller

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I got this book for Christmas and finished it already. I love John Grisham's writing so I was really looking forward to reading it. Although not all of the stories have lawyers as the main characer all of the stories deal with the judicial system in some way if only in a minor way. Unfortunately, many of the lawyers are a little, and sometimes alot, shady in their dealings with clients and other parties. This makes me a little sad because I want lawyers to all be good guys or to at least try to be ethical. One story, Michael's Room, made me think a bit about what Grisham was trying to say and how I feel about our judicial system. In this story the lawyer is accosted and actually kidnapped by a father that sued a doctor for malpractice several years before. The lawyer represented the doctor and his insurance company and won the case. No money for the poor family, and that is probably how you are suppose to feel. This poor family was beat up by the judicial system and this lawyer in Court. The father goes through the "lies" that the lawyer either told or facilitated during the trial. Most, however, are a matter of competeing expert opinions such as how long the father's child would live, how expensive future treatment would be and what level of care would be required. There was not even a hint of withheld documents or purjured testimony or anything like that. So the lawyer was not really lying, he was wrong. It's easy to see that 8 years after the trial but that's not really fair to the process. The family certainly had a lawyer and experts as well at trial but the jury sided with the doctor and the insurance company. Our judicial system is an aversarial system where both lawyers zealaously represent their clients and the truth should come out. I'm not going to say that the system is fool proof but what other system would you like? I know that in a close or complicated case that the best lawyer often wins not the best case. I also know that the best lawyers are often the most expensive lawyers so that rich people or comapnies with deep pockets get "better" justice. But how would you fix that? We could make all lawyers public employees and pay them all the same and just assign the cases out. Of course, the best lawyer will still win the close or complicated cases. We could make the system non-adversarial and just have one lawyer or a judge that just decides who is right but how do you do that? Then we will have stories written about how unfair that system is. I like mediation but it only works if the parties are both really willing to see the other side. I think until we enter Christ's Millenial Reign we are stuck with people doing the best that they can and a judicial system doing the same thing. I liked the book I just wanted to get on my soap box about this one thing. I wonder if Grisham, who practiced law at one time but is now a full time author, even likes lawyers. "

    - Todd, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " All the stories were entertaining but the last one was outstanding, absolutely loved it! "

    - Deena, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Excellent; collection of short stories set in Mississippi "

    - Joe, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is a collection of short stories based upon a cast of characters in Ford County, Mississippi but could be really any small town, USA. Grisham does a good job of developing the story and drawing the reader into the characters. If you've ever lived or are from a small town you will immediately relate to the stories. The stories are a fast read, I blasted through the entire book in quick sessions over a span of three days. "

    - Ricky, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was a nice collection of short stories. It's been ages since I've read Grisham. He never disappoints "

    - Tom, 12/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Easy to read...never read any John Grisham before but liked this! "

    - Jen, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Several short stories from one of the best writers around. Grisham tells the tale masterfully, and adds just enough irony to make you smile. This is a re-read--my first time was a few years ago. It was worth it! "

    - George, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I am usually not that interested in short stories but this has been a good choice. "

    - Sheila, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " A collection of short stories based in same town as Grisham's classic "A Time to Kill". I found myself reading to get to the end of each short story; but didn't find any of them particularly memorable or intriguing. "

    - Caroline, 12/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Terrific collection. A very easy and fun read. I think this is the best writing yet for Grisham. By the end of the last story I really had a feel for Ford County and its residents. I highly recommend this. "

    - Kevin, 12/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The last story in this collection is the standout. John Grisham seems to have an appreciation for the "rural" intellect, but I don't think he likes his characters very much, otherwise. "

    - Jo, 12/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book! Short stories that are totally different from each other but very Grisham-ish in story line an surprise. Sometimes almost too close to reality to be a novel .... "

    - Eric, 11/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " As always, Grisham is one of the "best" storytellers. "

    - Mark, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Nice collection of human interest stories by a master story teller. "

    - Mike, 8/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " In a series of seven short stories, John Grisham creates and develops a community of characters in Ford County, Mississippi. At times funny, introspective, sad, and irreverent, each story is a gem on its own. "

    - Helena, 8/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Several short stories. "

    - Joyce, 7/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " one of the best books by Grisham "

    - Nadis, 5/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Why did I pick up a John Grisham book? Because I thought it would be cool to read stories about Mississippi, and because that Tom Cruise lawyer movie was pretty good? This was not for me. "

    - Alison, 4/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The stories were very interesting. I would rather have read a novel. "

    - Martha, 3/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I think John Grisham is a great story-teller, but this book was not my favorite of his. It's his first colleciton of short stories. Maybe I just not a short-story lover, but I found the stories unsatisfying; I didn't find the characters likeable.. "

    - Janine, 12/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Short stories about good ol' boys and their exploits in Ford County. One as poignant as the next. "

    - Eileen, 9/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good read. Really enjoyable. "

    - J.t., 8/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I needed an engrossing, quick read at the lakehouse and this fit the bill. You've got to give it to him, Grisham is a good storyteller and there are some memorable ones in this little collection. "

    - Idonia, 7/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is a collection of 7 short stories all of which take place in Ford County, Mississippi. I liked just a couple of them, the rest I was not impressed with. "

    - Yulia, 3/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A pleasant read with a few highlights here and there. Apart from the last story about a young man dying from AIDS it was difficult to identify with the characters. The short stories seemed more like a fly on the wall documentary. "

    - Rod, 11/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Pretty good bunch of short stories I listened to on audio book. Enjoyed the Author as the person reading. "

    - Cindy, 10/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I'm enjoying his collection of short stories. "

    - Linda, 8/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Classic wonderful Grisham writing. He tells the stories of the salt of the earth with all of the shortcomings and flaws in plain view, but still treats these people with fundamental respect. "

    - Patricia, 6/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The first and last stories were by far the best, others only so-so. "

    - Babette, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was my very first John Grisham novel and I loved it! There were times I was laughing out loud and at other times, very saddened by the life of his down trodden characters. Fun, quick read and great for a weekend or vacation! "

    - Marcia, 5/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " read 3 of the short stories. rather dull and mildly depressing stories about people with little going for them and the crimes they commit "

    - Madeline, 4/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " audiobook. Abandoned after 4 discs. boring "

    - Mary, 4/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " So far, I've read the 1st short story. Grisham's writing has improved since his first books, or maybe he tells better stories when they don't deal with lawyers. Enjoyable. "

    - Trudy, 4/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Don't bother unless you're bored out of your mind. "

    - Jessica, 4/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Really shitty redneck stories. Don't waste your time. "

    - Prashant, 4/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A good book of short stories. I had forgotten about the way people with AIDS were treated when it was first brought to light until I read the last story in the book, it angered me again. I like a story that can bring emotion like that out. "

    - Carrie, 4/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Fun easy compilation of short stories. "

    - Esther, 3/31/2011

About the Author

John Grisham is the author of more than thirty-five novels, one work of nonfiction, a collection of stories, and seven novels for young readers. Thirty-three of his crime thrillers have made the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list