willoughbyreads 's review for:

A Painted House by John Grisham

5.0

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If you like the classic American novel style of writing / setting, you would like this book. Set in 1952 rural Arkansas and narrated by Luke (the 7-year-old son of the Chandler family), you get a glimpse of life on the farm in a simpler, yet still very complex, era of American history. Over the course of a very trying summer, Luke learns a lot about himself through the secrets that others entrust to him. I liked the subplot of the family settling on the front porch after supper each night to listen to Harry Caray call the Cardinals' games on the radio, wondering whether Stan Musial could lead the team to the pennant and the World Series. There's also the typical tension and suspense that you expect from Grisham's work. I enjoy his writing, especially the non-legal books that he pens.