A Painted House: A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: David Lansbury

Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Until that September of 1952, Luke Chandler had never kept a secret or told a single lie. But in the long, hot summer of his seventh year, two groups of migrant workers —and two very dangerous men—came through the Arkansas Delta to work the Chandler cotton farm. And suddenly mysteries are flooding Luke’s world.

A brutal murder leaves the town seething in gossip and suspicion. A beautiful young woman ignites forbidden passions. A fatherless baby is born ... and someone has begun furtively painting the bare clapboards of the Chandler farmhouse, slowly, painstakingly, bathing the run-down structure in gleaming white. And as young Luke watches the world around him, he unravels secrets that could shatter lives—and change his family and his town forever....

Don’t miss John Grisham’s new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM, coming soon!

©2000, 2001 Belfry Holdings, Inc. (P)2001 Random House, Inc. Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Characters that no reader will forget. .. prose as clean and strong as any Grisham has yet laid down ... and a drop-dead evocation of a time and place that mark this novel as a classic slice of Americana.”—Publishers Weekly

“Some of the finest dialogue of his career ... Every detail rings clear and true, and nothing is wasted.”—Seattle Times

Loved it!

Mr. Grisham certainly knows how to tug at the heart strings the master of nostalgia. Mr. Grisham also remembers what it was like to be a little boy
This book was an unexpected surprise

lovely

This is not the average John Grisham book. A fascinating look at the farmers of the old South.

Different story about life in the south

Enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the past history of our country. Looking forward to another one.

Great narration

I had visuals throughout this book. With the authors words you can easily place yourself into the setting. Also a great insight into farmer’s struggles.

One of his best!!!

One of his best novels! I felt drawn into every minute of the story. The details of each character made it easy to visualize every page of the novel. Loved it!

Entertaining Story

When John Grisham spoke at my graduation from Arkansas State University, I felt a bit guilty for not having read any of his works. The truth is though that I am not a huge fan of fiction. As a historian, I find the truth to be much more interesting then anything which can be imagined. This book beckoned me though as it takes place in the state where I grew up. It was very entertaining to listen to Lucas' story of life in the cotton. One of my friends, a good bit older then myself, responded to my inquiry on whether he had read this book with, "I remember being one of the hill people." It's a simple, sweet, and warm little story about the rough but honest life that some folks in Arkansas still live. You can find this kind of poverty still if you go farther south into the delta. I'm not much on Lawyer stories but I think Mr. Grisham hit a home run with this one. Iwonder if it was a St. Louis Cardinals homerun.

Touching story

This book is about a young boy growing up on a farm in Arkansas. They grew cotton and didn’t have much money. I really enjoyed the story although it didn’t seem like Grisham’s other novels. It kept my interest and the narrator did a great job.

Wonderful Story

I listened to every word. A wonderful story of three generations of a family. Great performance by Mr. Lansbury!

Favorite book

Love it! Will always read it over and over again. Narration was nicely done.

Best of All

Love the narration,love the story. It’s like growing up all over again! A story for the ages!