Calico Joe- Book

Calico Joe by John Grisham

Rating 8 out of 10

I have been a fan of Grisham's books since the beginning with mixed results.  Some I really liked ( The Firm, Painted House, the Appeal, the Summons, the Pelican Brief, the Rainmaker and Playing for Pizza to name a few) and some I did not ( The Testament, the Brethren, Skipping Christmas and most of his newer books).  I would put Calico Joe on the books I liked list.

The book parallels the lives of a would be great baseball player for the Chicago Cubs and a young boy who idolizes him while is own very abusive father is a major league pitcher for the New York Mets.  Joe Castle (from the small Arkansas town of Calico Rock thus the nickname of Calico Joe) starts is baseball career is historic fashion that Summer of 1973 when it is tragically cut short.

This is a book that is hard to describe without giving spoilers.  You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this book, but I would say it helps.  The book is a little slow to start and some of the baseball stories are a little far fetched (no rookie is going to hit 20 home runs in his first 50 at bats).  The book does wrap up all the loose ends and has an ending I think most all will be happy with.

It's not a very long book and is a quick read.  If you like Grisham books in general I don't think you'll be disappointed here.