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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
The beginning of the story was captivating. It isn't often that I read a plot line that involves war-torn African countries and refugee camps. The hope of turning a budding talent into a better life for one's self and family is a draw.
I realize with a sport being the way out of poverty the book is going to have to cover some games, but good lord the blah-blah-blah describing the intimate details of a bunch of overtall men running back and forth in a rectangle after a round ball was excruciating. There was so much sportsball lingo that even when I tried to read those sections I couldn't tell what was going on. Is a "bomb" a good thing or a bad thing?
Back to the real plot. The twist at the end was sad and from there the book got stuck in the typical John Grisham rut: characters snap their fingers and things just happen that should get bogged down in logistics, brief descriptions of richness and power and fancy lunches and the world bending to the will of good. I realize that the elements of his writing that I can overlook or enjoy in a vintage book like The Firm don't age well here. In particular the casual misogyny of all or most of the characters being powerful men and women being relegated to inconsequential roles described only by their looks or sexually servicing men. The 18 year-old males of the sportsball team are "men" while the 20s females who hang on at the parties are "girls". It feels like he tries with the Miss Ida character but then falls back into unthinking 1950s gender roles as soon as the plot focuses on other things. It took me until this book to realize that I just can't overlook that anymore by telling myself the sucker was written 20 years ago.
I realize with a sport being the way out of poverty the book is going to have to cover some games, but good lord the blah-blah-blah describing the intimate details of a bunch of overtall men running back and forth in a rectangle after a round ball was excruciating. There was so much sportsball lingo that even when I tried to read those sections I couldn't tell what was going on. Is a "bomb" a good thing or a bad thing?
Back to the real plot. The twist at the end was sad and from there the book got stuck in the typical John Grisham rut: characters snap their fingers and things just happen that should get bogged down in logistics, brief descriptions of richness and power and fancy lunches and the world bending to the will of good. I realize that the elements of his writing that I can overlook or enjoy in a vintage book like The Firm don't age well here. In particular the casual misogyny of all or most of the characters being powerful men and women being relegated to inconsequential roles described only by their looks or sexually servicing men. The 18 year-old males of the sportsball team are "men" while the 20s females who hang on at the parties are "girls". It feels like he tries with the Miss Ida character but then falls back into unthinking 1950s gender roles as soon as the plot focuses on other things. It took me until this book to realize that I just can't overlook that anymore by telling myself the sucker was written 20 years ago.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very evocative. Dion Graham’s narration was moving. I felt connected with the main character and his family and invested in them. While I don’t follow sports, because I felt so invested by the narrator and John’s writing, the basketball related sections were very exciting. Seeing a more realistic portrayal of the underdog rising up due to undying persistence was touching and inspiring.
3.5 ⭐️ There were parts of this that were a 5 star read; other parts that weren’t. With as much detail given to the actual basketball games, I wish just as much detail was given to what happened to Sooley.
I don’t like basketball so found all the play by plays boring. I also think that while this is a good story, Grisham’s writing style is better suited to his typical legal thriller fare.
Also I did not sign up for this tragedy.
Also I did not sign up for this tragedy.
A solid 3.5 stars. Though I didn’t read reviews before, and was surprised it was not a legal thriller- Grisham’s usual genre. But, the characters were likable and interesting. I enjoy basketball
Thank you to Goodreads, Penguin/Random House - and John Grisham for the free book to review. I read it in two days, I couldn’t put it down. The first few chapters set the background tone, involving life in South Sudan. As time went on, the emphasis switched more to basketball games, and made me understand the preparation of the elite athletes, much better. Any basketball fans out there would love this book. It had nice switches in location, to develop various characters. Shocking twists in the plot, took my breath away. I hope they make this into a movie. Wow this would make a great movie. Thanks again!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Interesting, entertaining, heartbreaking - in spite of not being a huge basketball fan, found the characters and the book's story to be quite inspiring.