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amstandley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jamiehandy's review
4.0
I have always loved short stories and most of the time wish many novels would have been handled as such, but THEY JUST DON'T MAKE MONEY for the publishing houses so unless your name is John Grisham, the editors and agents will take a good short story and S T R E T C H it out until it is novel length.
So it was fun to read these 6 stories. You are able to get such a glimpse into small town Mississippi life through the eyes of vastly different charachters in such a short time. Ultimately these stories are the stories of ordinary people showing that even the ordinary life is interesting.
I laughed at the immaturity of the 3 boys headed to the big city as "soon to be heroes".
I found myself liking the swindler and even feeling like he deserved the money he swindled.
I found the mother's devotion to her rotton death row son inspiring.
I felt immense sadness at the family whose son was wrongfully injured during birth and the burdens they carried.
I like reading about anyone who figures out how to win at blackjack.
And the story of the man with AIDS returning to his small (and still very ignorant town) a sad statement of how most people are so willing to find an excuse for bigotry.
Nice themes to ponder, a few corny moments, 1 ridiculous ending (the casino one), a bunch of sad people, sprinkled with humor and charm.
Sounds a lot like real life to me.
So it was fun to read these 6 stories. You are able to get such a glimpse into small town Mississippi life through the eyes of vastly different charachters in such a short time. Ultimately these stories are the stories of ordinary people showing that even the ordinary life is interesting.
I laughed at the immaturity of the 3 boys headed to the big city as "soon to be heroes".
I found myself liking the swindler and even feeling like he deserved the money he swindled.
I found the mother's devotion to her rotton death row son inspiring.
I felt immense sadness at the family whose son was wrongfully injured during birth and the burdens they carried.
I like reading about anyone who figures out how to win at blackjack.
And the story of the man with AIDS returning to his small (and still very ignorant town) a sad statement of how most people are so willing to find an excuse for bigotry.
Nice themes to ponder, a few corny moments, 1 ridiculous ending (the casino one), a bunch of sad people, sprinkled with humor and charm.
Sounds a lot like real life to me.
syndi3's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
John Grisham. The name commands me to pick up the book and read it. What I like from his book is the moral sotries about how justice is blind. He delivers it with no apology. And yet somehow, my heart breaks for the injustice of it all.
the_enobee's review
3.0
While not the typical Grisham fare, this book is quite enjoyable if approached with no expectations of the legal thriller. This is Grisham's ode to the South, specifically Ford County. The book consists of 8 short stories, some comedic and full of hijinks, others serious in dealing with cultural and family issues. I enjoyed all 8 and would recommend this book to anyone wanting to see John Grisham stretch out and enjoy some southern story telling.
spiderfly's review
3.5
I think this is the only Grisham book I've read. The writing was very good, and the characters were memorable. The stories were all pretty depressing, but several were also quite funny. I can't say I enjoyed the process of reading it, but I'm really glad to have read it.
dmwade's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
turtlesreads's review
4.0
Asked my dad what book has made a lasting impression on him and he said one of his favorites was a book of short stories by John Grisham called Ford County.
Great choice dad. These short stories were like none that I've read before and I was pleasantly surprised.
My favorites were probably the last two- Quiet Haven and Funny Boy. Quiet Haven is about a guy that gets hired at a retirement home and Funny Boy is about a man during his last days with AIDS.
Great choice dad. These short stories were like none that I've read before and I was pleasantly surprised.
My favorites were probably the last two- Quiet Haven and Funny Boy. Quiet Haven is about a guy that gets hired at a retirement home and Funny Boy is about a man during his last days with AIDS.
fi1964's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I’m 59 snd this is the first time I’ve ever read anything by John Grisham and I thoroughly enjoyed it!