Calico Joe

This new book by John Grisham is an absorbing story about a son who tries to reunite two baseball players after a hiatus of 30 years! The catch in the story is that the baseball pitcher who intentionally beanballed and hit a promising young player, Joe Castle alias Calico Joe, on the head and ended his career is his Dad,who is terminally ill and for whom he has no feelings, but as a witness to the game thirty years back, he feels dutibound to bring his father to apologise to Joe, before he dies. Does he succeed in doing so?
This book is a book filled with emotions like love-hate,forgiveness-retribution and redemption. This is not a typical Grisham novel, where you have lawyers, law firms, law suits, litigation, mass torts, but only has human emotions! Though Grisham devotes an entire chapter in explaining the game of baseball, Indian readers might find it difficult to understand the intricacies of the game. But even if you don't, it doesn't matter because love, hate,revenge and redemption, mercy are human emotions which touches all of us!
This is not just a baseball story, but a story of humanity!
A must read for all Grisham fans!

the story builds up quite well.the characters are wonderfully crafted.The plot is interesting-Sports rivalry , Cheating , abused childhood and a son trying to "do right" by the sins of his father. The narration is fast and gripping and until the first half ,it holds suspense. But once the reason for the protagonists travel is out,the book meanders towards a well known certainty. You can guess the ending and if you have watched enough hindi TV soaps with your folks..even the last final scene. :-) for die hard Grisham fans , must read,nothing more..Nothing less

This book is different from the books that I read from the author John Grisham. This book revolves around the son, father and the title character Calico Joe. This really portrays different emotions of human beings, particularly sports persons. For the followers of John Grisham this is different side of the author for different set storyline. Happy Reading

This novel narrates some beautiful teachings of life. This isn't related strongly to baseball & you would be fine if you don't even knew ABC's of the game just like me. The buildup to the climax is impressive & the climax will surely set you thinking about your life & your outlook towards your life.

Calico Joe is a very simple novel, unlike what he usually writes: full of twists and turns. Grisham is a master of writing thrillers, most especially legal thrillers. I liked this novel for its simple plot and the story of redemption and forgiveness that runs through it like a warm sunshine on a wintry day.