• 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
  • 5 Stars
    1,156
  • 4 Stars
    517
  • 3 Stars
    188
  • 2 Stars
    42
  • 1 Stars
    32
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,138
  • 4 Stars
    432
  • 3 Stars
    112
  • 2 Stars
    14
  • 1 Stars
    11
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,063
  • 4 Stars
    402
  • 3 Stars
    174
  • 2 Stars
    33
  • 1 Stars
    26

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

Good story of redemption.

If you could sum up Calico Joe in three words, what would they be?

Hope, atonement, grace

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joe. His heart was huge.

What about Erik Singer’s performance did you like?

Very good.

Any additional comments?

I needed to know at the beginning whether or not it was a true story, fact-based story, or fiction.

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

Another great book from Grisham.

Would you listen to Calico Joe again? Why?

The intensity of the story.

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

Any Grisham book. His style is excellent.

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

Outstanding as usual.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Keep the audio books coming.

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

Could be edited

Storyline interested reader but too much unnecessary reflection. More baseball. Story could have been called Paul/Warren's Story.

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

A Brief Baseball Lover’s Dream

Grisham’s brilliance and versatility are on display in this wonderful historical fiction written primarily for the nostalgic baseball fan. It reminded me of that fateful evening in 1967 when Jack Hamilton ended for all intensive purposes Tony Conigliaro’s career. While the main characters are fictional, players are generally the ones active in the day surrounding the Joe Castle and Warren Tracy era. I highly recommend this to baseball fans everywhere.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • AJ
  • 05-20-12

Very "Un" Grisham

I have enjoyed every John Grisham book I have read or listened to.... and this one is unlike any other. Not a lawyer on these scene. Instead it is a tale of 2 times. The story slips seamlessly from current day to events 30 year old. the history of baseball is so convincing I went to google to check the facts.... lots of them were accurate. This book is a very easy listen, brief and to the point, great story of life and tragedy with a thoroughly satisfying conclusion. Enjoy

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

Good Story from a great storyteller!

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

Did not read the print version.

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

Meeting of Joe and Warren

What does Erik Singer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Did not read the book so cannot compare

If you could take any character from Calico Joe out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Newspaper Editor

Any additional comments?

No

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

Great book,for everyone especially baseball fans

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

Just a good easy and enjoyable read. Gentle laughs, tears and compassionate feelings.

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

Good Read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It is a good read for baseball types. However, there are some areas in the story that have to be "filled in" by the casual baseball observer.

What did you like best about this story?

Good character development.

What three words best describe Erik Singer’s performance?

No value added.

If you could take any character from Calico Joe out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Yogi Berra

Any additional comments?

none

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

Great Baseball Story

I really enjoyed listening to this book. When listening it felt as though the narrator was just
telling a story that actually happened to him. I believed every word and found myself wondering at the end if the story was true or just a work of fiction. I really wanted to go and research this "Calico Joe" for myself and learn more about him as well as Paul Tracy! A great book of regret and forgiveness.

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

Good read

Barely woke. Has no obvious agenda. Just a plain good story. Easy to follow with great characters.

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