Good read.

I enjoyed this book....it didn't seem to be the same as most of his books, very untypical of John Grisham....but the story was good.

I felt for the little boy in the story, but he probably didn't know anything else.

This book came to me very highly recommended. I had two friends who really really liked it and just knew I would love the story too. I suppose if it had been cleaned up a bit, I probably would have liked it more. The characters were engaging enough although the plot did seem to drag a little bit and left you feeling like the auther was searching for a plot in a rambling sort of way. I had a hard time with the language and violence; I'm a wouss I guess. I also couldn't get past the feeling that I was reading the thoughts of a teenage boy, not a seven-year-old. But I did finish it, because Grisham did a good job of making me really really want to see how it all turned out. So I will give that credit where it is due.

A gentle coming-of-age tale of a 7 year-old boy living on a family farm in Arkansas in the early 1950s. Much different from Grisham's thrillers and legal dramas, but enjoyable, even so.

Terrible. Perhaps even worse than Patricia Cornwell's "Isle of Dogs". Actually angry at myself that I finished it, when it was obvious early in the book that it was a complete waste of precious time.

This was my first book read by John Grisham and still is one of my all time favorites!!!

I listed to the audio version of the book.

It is full of suspense, drama and humor and there is not a lawyer in site. Written from the viewpoint of 7yr old Luke who is the Chandler family's son, the book covers a season of cotton picking along with all of the details and drama the cotton farmer experiences as a result of mother nature.

The family hires a crew of Mexicans and "hill people" to pick the cotton for the season alongside of Luke. Luke is witness to a serious of events between the Mexicans and hill people that will leave you reeling for more, honestly I know why there is not a sequel to this book because I don't really think you can top the drama that occurred on the farm.

The Chandler family struggles to get the cotton picked before the storms come which will wipe out the crops ... in the meantime, Luke convinces his father to purchase paint for the farmhouse (even though they cannot afford it) and the Mexicans agree to help paint the house.

465 pages of 100% pure boredom.....

This was fun to read about life in Arkansas, where I grew up. He did a great job with descriptions of land and such. It's a different kind of Grisham book, but it's worth the read.

I learned that John Grisham should write more books in this genre because this is his best work....forget all those clients, partners, pelicans. One night, with a bunch of old friends in an apartment above Times Square, we tuned in to tv before turning in and The Bill Moyers Report was being aired; his guest was John Grisham. From his first responses, it was obvious that he possessed "gravitas" beyond his public persona.
Grisham grew up in Arkansas, the son of a cotton farmer, and went on to Law School but swiftly left that field of endeavor. He was a born story teller and has used the law background to great advantage. The next week I read "The Partner" which was clever and classy and all those best-seller adjectives. However, as I started reading "The Painted House" it was a most touching, true and arresting book that deserves the most serious consideration. Not just a "coming of age" story, this book deals with so many universal themes that no one could read it without making contact. It is a beautiful book. Put it on your bedside table pile.

I couldn’t put this book down. Loved it. It’s a must read.

The Painted House by John Grisham is a departure from the author’s usual legal thrillers, offering a poignant and richly detailed coming-of-age story set in rural Arkansas in the 1950s. The novel is narrated by seven-year-old Luke Chandler, whose innocent perspective contrasts with the harsh realities of the world around him.

Summary

Luke lives with his family on a cotton farm, enduring the grueling work of harvest season. The Chandlers are a hardworking, close-knit family, struggling to make ends meet while relying on hired labor, including Mexican migrant workers and a group of rough hill people known as the Spruills. As the harvest progresses, Luke observes the tensions and secrets that arise among the workers, including fights, forbidden romances, and even a murder.

Beyond the labor conflicts, Luke’s narration delves into his family’s struggles with poverty, the harsh demands of farming life, and their dreams of a better future. Luke himself dreams of leaving the farm for a life in the city, far removed from the toil of cotton fields. Through his innocent eyes, we witness moments of tenderness, betrayal, and violence, as he navigates a world that grows increasingly complex and morally ambiguous.

Themes

Grisham explores several key themes in The Painted House, including:
t•tInnocence and Maturity: Luke’s journey from childhood innocence to a deeper understanding of adult complexities forms the emotional core of the novel.
t•tFamily and Survival: The Chandlers’ resilience and unity highlight the strength of family bonds in the face of hardship.
t•tSocial Divides: The novel examines class, race, and economic disparities in 1950s America, reflecting the tensions between landowners, laborers, and transient workers.
t•tDreams and Aspirations: Luke’s longing to escape the farm mirrors the universal desire for a better life.

Review

Grisham’s vivid descriptions and authentic portrayal of rural life transport readers to a bygone era, immersing them in the rhythms and challenges of cotton farming. The story is slower-paced than his legal dramas, but this allows for a richer exploration of character and setting. Luke’s voice is both endearing and insightful, capturing the innocence of youth while subtly hinting at the deeper truths he doesn’t fully comprehend.

While the novel’s plot is episodic and less driven by suspense, it resonates with emotional depth and nostalgia. Grisham skillfully weaves moments of humor, heartbreak, and tension, creating a vivid tapestry of small-town life. The Painted House is a beautifully written departure for Grisham, showcasing his versatility as a storyteller and offering a deeply human tale of family, hardship, and the loss of innocence.

It was... Interesting. Wouldn't really recommend it though.

Lume din jur devine complicată într-o singură toamnă pentru un băiețel de 7 ani. Viață lui se desfășoară în funcție de culesul bumbacului și sezonul de baseball, dar în 2 luni descoperă cât de complicată e lumea adulților. Păcat că nu au păstrat titlul original pentru că cel în română nu are legatura cu nimic, pe când originalul sintetizează toate schimbările din viața rurală a Americii.