Book Review: Calico Joe by John Grisham

    While I am familiar with film adaptations of John Grisham’s novels and watch his interviews on writing, I had never actually read one of his books, until now. This was my first exposure to his writing and I’m pleased to say I really enjoyed it. Calico Joe is one of those stories like Forrest Gump that is so real you almost forget it’s fiction. The story follows an adult Paul Tracy, remembering his childhood years during the rise of the most exciting and promising rookies in baseball history, Joe Castle. Paul’s father, Warren Tracy, is a professional pitcher for the Mets, but his heavy drinking and abusive treatment of the family threatens everything Paul loves about baseball. At moments, it is painful to read, especially for victims of abuse, but the resolution is worth the read.

 

The Good

    Calico Joe is an incredibly easy read that crosses fiction with factual baseball history and figures. Grisham’s characters will rub elbows with legends like Willie Mays, Yogi Berra, Tom Seaver, and many others breaking the boundary between fiction and reality. The journalistic style of writing forced me to google whether some of the characters were real or not. Grisham demonstrates great versatility as a writer who can tell more stories beyond law and intrigue. For someone who reads a lot of modern and postmodern academic literature, this is a perfect break to enjoy a good ole American story about America’s favorite pastime.

The Bad

    There are not a lot of bad things to write about this novella. If anything, I had a pretty good idea how the story was going to pan out early on. Grisham was not sneaky about foreshadowing how the characters would collide in the plot. Otherwise, this is a good, concise short story with a straightforward message about the freedom of forgiveness. Grisham is careful not to indulge his characters too much by keeping the resolution realistic. The world is not saved, and everyone is not healed in the end, but the resolution is satisfying enough. There are instances of child abuse that may be triggering for people who have experienced parental abuse. I’m sure there will be better Grisham books, but this is a great introduction to his body of work.

Who Should Read It?

    John Grisham is known more for his lawyer fiction, but he has taken a few swings at short sports novels. This may not be Grisham in his element, but the simplicity of his storytelling makes it a pleasurable read anyhow. Readers who enjoy historical fiction like The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom or Forrest Gump, where fictional characters interact with famous people of the past, then this book is a real treat. This book is a cathartic experience for people with daddy issues holding on to resentment or bitterness. It is a testament to how hatred hurts the hateful person more than the people they hate. If you are looking for a book that will propel you into deeper philosophical ideas, this book is not the one. Calico Joe is a simple book for a reader who wants to enjoy a story about the legend that never was. Calico Joe offers a straightforward narrative, ideal for readers seeking an uncomplicated story centered on a forgotten baseball legend.