How does it compare to audio works by the same author?
Not applicable
Advantages:
great read
Disadvantages:
none
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I have never read a John Grisham book before. "A Painted House" has been sat on my book shelf for a few months before I decided to give it a go. I receieved this book as a freebie from a book club. My friend loves his books but she already had it, so I couldn't pass it on to her. However no, I'm glad I didn't.
I always thought John Grisham wrote lawyer novels. This one is nothing about lawyers.
PLOT:
Set in the 1950's in Arkansas, a farm family are in the cotton trading business. Each year they hire Mexicans and people that live in the hills to pick their cotton. This one year, Luke Chandler (seven years old) sees and hears things he shouldn't. He is burdened with secrets and doesn'y know what to do for the best. The Chandler's consist of Luke, Mum and Dad, and Pappy and Gran. Luke's uncle Ricky is in Korea at war.
The Spruills (hill people) are made up of Mum and Dad, Hank (Nasty), Tally and Trot, Bo and Dale. Trot is quite simple and gets away without doing too much work.
Mexicans don't really come into the story too much excpet one, "Cowboy". Him and Hank hate each other. The situation comes to an end about half way through the book, but I wont give too much away.
Each year the Chandlers struggle to make ends meet. The crop of cotton is normally destroyed by floods before they can finish the harvest, and this year is no different. Each day is a struggle for them and John Grisham manages to get you completely gripped in their lives.
Other books John Grisham has written include, The Pelican Brief, The Firm, A Time to Kill.
My Opinion:
I didn't really want to read this book, but now I have I am truly glad I did. It surprised me a lot, and I will definately read another of his books now.
The Title:
It is aptly named because Trot paints the Chandler's house whilst they are staying there. In the 1950s in Arkansas not many farmers houses were painted. Hank made Luke feel bad about this and Trot secretly painted the house little by little until Luke persuaded his Dad he should finish the job.
It is definately worth a look.
More details
How does it compare to similar audio books?
Not applicable
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
shenanigans than with the roots of that country life which taught him much of what he knows about being human. In the early autumn of 1952, seven-year-old Luke Chandler is ...
very helpful
very helpful
helpful
