• 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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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    26

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  • Overall
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Worth hearing time and time again

Would you consider the audio edition of Calico Joe to be better than the print version?

no

What was one of the most memorable moments of Calico Joe?

the healing of spirit when the 2 old men meet again

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

the healing of spirit when the 2 old men meet again when they neet and talk in the baseball field.

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

Very entertaining

Very good book, narrator takes you inside the head and game of baseball. A must for All baseball fans

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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

great

it was great. Grisham has done it again. going to continue to get all he has.

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

baseball nerddom as vehicle for growing up.

Well written story about addressing a bad childhood/parent relationship. Must tolerste baseball nerddom, but not stats heavy.

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

LOVE THIS STORY

This was a great story. Well written and delivered perfectly! If you enjoy the game of baseball you should read this one.

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

Strong Feelings

Where does Calico Joe rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Sweet story of redemption in the context of baseball

What did you like best about this story?

The ending and the stories of baseball

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

Not what I expected from Grisham

What did you love best about Calico Joe?

The narrator really conveys the sense of joy and intense interest of a little boy growing up with baseball. Listening to the stats as he performed them made them interesting!

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

I loved the scene where Mickey Mantle sits down next to him and just talks to him like a person.

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

Baseball Redemption

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

Just when I thought the story was so predictable and I knew what would happen, it took several unforseen turns and the ending was very inspiring. The mix of real baseball facts and players with fictional characters and events was fun.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Calico Joe turned out to be an even more amazing person than he was an amazing baseball player

What about Erik Singer’s performance did you like?

He was very convincing as the narrator--as if he'd sat down to personally tell you his own story.

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

I can't even imagine having enough time in my life to listen to an entire book at one sitting.

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

Wonderful!

Would you listen to Calico Joe again? Why?

Yes. I loved the characters and remember that time in baseball.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Calico Joe?

When Joe and his brothers walked into the funeral.

Which scene was your favorite?

Those describing the fans listening and watching the games.

Who was the most memorable character of Calico Joe and why?

Joe.

Any additional comments?

Loved this book!

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

good listen

Where does Calico Joe rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

good listen kept our interest

Who was your favorite character and why?

the reporter that had followed the story

Have you listened to any of Erik Singer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

That's the way the game is played

Any additional comments?

I liked the voice of the narrator

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