A Painted House by: John Grisham
294 pages, hardback
2000
I have never harvested cotton, listened to a Cardinals game, painted a house, or written a letter to a solider serving in Korea but after reading John Grisham's novel it feels as if I have experienced all these things and more. (This is my second book from renown author John Grisham and neither involved a lawyer). Told from the perspective of a 7-year-old boy named Luke, the 6 weeks or so of harvest season in the Arkansas low-lands came to life almost as if I had lived it back in the 50's. Great story-telling, super character development and action I would not have guessed kept the pages turning. Before leaving on my trip to Michigan, Melanie gave to me this novel and another one called Winter Garden (I will also give my review on that novel) and I read one chapter from each book most nights before going to bed (sometimes I gave in and read more than one chapter). Luke, became like a son and I loved his relationship with his mother. Actually, as an only child living in the same home with his parents and his paternal grandparents, he had good and healthy interactions with his whole family. Life was far from dull and the secrets told and kept in this story made me feel like one with the inside scoop in this country/small town settling. The book contrasted interestingly with the other novel which was set present day on an apple orchard business in Washington state. Fun to read like that and Melanie I recommend both books...thanks for giving them to me to read!
