• Calico Joe

  • By: John Grisham
  • Narrated by: Erik Singer
  • Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,935 ratings)

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Calico Joe  By  cover art

Calico Joe

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Erik Singer
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Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A surprising and moving novel of fathers and sons, forgiveness and redemption, set in the world of Major League Baseball…

“Grisham knocks it out of the park.”—
The Washington Post

It’s the summer of 1973, and Joe Castle is the boy wonder of baseball, the greatest rookie anyone has ever seen. The kid from Calico Rock, Arkansas, dazzles Chicago Cubs fans as he hits home run after home run, politely tipping his hat to the crowd as he shatters all rookie records. Calico Joe quickly becomes the idol of every baseball fan in America, including Paul Tracey, the young son of a hard-partying and hard-throwing New York Mets pitcher. On the day that Warren Tracey finally faces Calico Joe, Paul is in the stands, rooting for his idol but also for his dad. Then Warren throws a fastball that will change their lives forever.

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

©2012 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Grisham knocks it out of the park.” (The Washington Post)

“An enjoyable, heartwarming read that’s not just for baseball fans.” (USA Today)

“Grisham has hit a home run.... Calico Joe is a great read, a lyrical ode to baseball, small-town America, youthful innocence and a young boy’s search for heroes.” (The Buffalo News)

What listeners say about Calico Joe

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,156
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
    42
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Performance
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,063
  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    174
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    26

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Great book with a baseball theme. You don't need to love baseball but a bit of knowledge on how the game is played would help. I enjoy books that are about interesting people and families, we can all learn fron these type of stories. This one teaches us that the love from a parent is not guaranteed, and that respect is something that is earned.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Pleasantly Surprised

The beginning of the book drags on a little with stats etc - more of a guys read, but just as I was about to ditch the book, I decided I had to finish just because I can't not finish a book. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending - and loved it. I would listen to it again to pay better attention to the beginning of the book. Loved it and was well worth it!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent listen for baseball fans

Any additional comments?

Grisham is an excellent storyteller, and as a baseball fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the backdrop in which the story takes place. Very entertaining.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Calico joe

I love John Grisham and he has good readers. This one was exceptional listed to it in one setting.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Started ok, slowed way down by the end

This is a sweet story and the first two thirds of the book are a pleasant listen. I was invested in the characters, I was was interested in hearing how it ended. Then things slowed way down and came to a coughing, grinding halt at the end. In the past, I have appreciated Grisham's non-traditional endings, but this one seemed like he needed to put a little more effort into it.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Pretty Good Read

Any additional comments?

Not your typical John Grisham book bit still good, especially if you are a baseball fan like I am.Good, simple characters. Good narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story by a Great Writer

What made the experience of listening to Calico Joe the most enjoyable?

it is a story i could relate too. in a lot of ways it was a story of my own childhood in baseball.

If you could rename Calico Joe, what would you call it?

NO

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Grisham shows again he is a terrific story teller.

What made the experience of listening to Calico Joe the most enjoyable?

Great plot, terrific baseball setting.

What other book might you compare Calico Joe to and why?

I usually prefer non-fiction. This story is so real it could be a true story.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Joe Castle tells Warren Tracy he is still batting a thousand against him!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Paul Tracy's recounting of how he knew Warren was going to bean Joe Castle...after the two fast balls outside the plate...just as his father told him to cruelly do after his 11 year old All Star game.

Any additional comments?

It is sometimes difficult to get into an audio book at first - not this book - I walked miles over the weekend to finish it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

greatest story in along time sports fan or not

What made the experience of listening to Calico Joe the most enjoyable?

it keeps you interested all through the book

What did you like best about this story?

the ending

Which character – as performed by Erik Singer – was your favorite?

joe

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, my wife and i listened to it on are way to cape cod

Any additional comments?

would recommend this bonk to young and old and sports fans or not

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Grisham hits one out of the park!

John Grisham writes a great story about character and values. Life throws many curve balls and this book nails down the fact that although bad things happen to good people, you must persevere through the tough times. Calico Joe is a refreshing story that points out how the hurt and pain of another doesn't have to destroy who you are and how you live your life. It also opens readers eyes to the redemptive value of what just saying 'you're sorry' can do for the soul - no matter your age. This is a book you will remember.

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