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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
The action in this Grisham book takes place on the basketball court, not a court of law. The game descriptions are so realistic I forgot that this was fiction. There is a rather abrupt twist after which the book comes to a predictable but satisfying finish. I listened to the audiobook, which was well narrated except for overdoing "Soo-ley, Soo-ley, Soo-ley" chants.
I feel like this book had more potential. While I enjoyed it for the most part, I felt like it lacked real depth and just skimmed the surface of both the characters and the topics. So a good read, but not great.
I’m not understanding how this book gets so many high ratings. While the story was interesting and somewhat compelling, it was some of the worst writing I’ve read. Short, simple sentences and little to no character development. The raging civil war in Sudan gets passing notice. Grisham spends pages and pages describing basketball games. It was just…ugh. I kept reading, waiting for it to get good, and it just never did. Meh.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the first 2/3, but the trajectory of the last 1/3 was hard…not necessarily because of what happened, but how. Doesn’t seem super believable based on the character development.
I debated about reading this one because I’d heard so much about it. Many people disliked this one but I found myself enthralled and I devoured it.
Yes, the ending was heartbreaking and tragic but I think it was part of a larger “agenda” and was important to the story. The entire story was one of struggle and sacrifice for love of family. When Sooley learned of the devastation of his village he chose to stay in the US in order to attempt to give his family a better life by bringing then over eventually. When in school Sooley fought to improve his basketball skills because he understood that was what was going to help get his family to the US. He found joy in the simple things because he knew what it was like to do without. He wanted his family safe and his death was able to make that happen. AND the people he met along the way were forever impacted by his brief place in their life. Not everyone gets a happy ending in life. People are dealt shit cards but it’s what you do with them that counts. Sooley ultimately made a mistake but he touched so many lives before that.
I think it’s also important to note that many professional basketball (or any sport for that matter) players often have to choose education vs. money and they get judged for it. The author made a good case for the thought that goes into making the decision and I appreciated that insight.
Yes, the ending was heartbreaking and tragic but I think it was part of a larger “agenda” and was important to the story. The entire story was one of struggle and sacrifice for love of family. When Sooley learned of the devastation of his village he chose to stay in the US in order to attempt to give his family a better life by bringing then over eventually. When in school Sooley fought to improve his basketball skills because he understood that was what was going to help get his family to the US. He found joy in the simple things because he knew what it was like to do without. He wanted his family safe and his death was able to make that happen. AND the people he met along the way were forever impacted by his brief place in their life. Not everyone gets a happy ending in life. People are dealt shit cards but it’s what you do with them that counts. Sooley ultimately made a mistake but he touched so many lives before that.
I think it’s also important to note that many professional basketball (or any sport for that matter) players often have to choose education vs. money and they get judged for it. The author made a good case for the thought that goes into making the decision and I appreciated that insight.
Favorite book club pick to date this was a great book to listen to on audio with the descriptions of basketball games.
Extremely touching story, engaging from start to end. Left me crying my eyes out, but totally worth the read, especially if you are a basketball fan.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
I love, love, loved this book. Devoured in a day.