Ford County

Stories

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: John Grisham

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

In his first collection of short stories John Grisham takes us back to Ford County, Mississippi, the setting of his first novel, A Time to Kill.

Wheelchair-bound Inez Graney and her two older sons, Leon and Butch, take a bizarre road trip through the Mississippi Delta to visit the youngest Graney brother, Raymond, who's been locked away on death row for eleven years. It could well be their last visit.

Mack Stafford, a hard-drinking and low-grossing run-of-the-mill divorce lawyer gets a miracle phone call with a completely unexpected offer to settle some old, forgotten cases for more money than he has ever seen. Mack is suddenly bored with the law, fed up with his wife and his life, and makes drastic plans to finally escape.

Quiet, dull Sidney, a data collector for an insurance company, perfects his blackjack skills in hopes of bringing down the casino empire of Clanton's most ambitious hustler, Bobby Carl Leach, who, among other crimes, has stolen Sidney's wife.

Three good ol' boys from rural Ford County begin a journey to the big city of Memphis to give blood to a grievously injured friend. However, they are unable to drive past a beer store as the trip takes longer and longer.

The Quiet Haven Retirement Home is the final stop for the elderly of Clanton. It's a sad, languid place with little controversy, until Gilbert arrives. Posing as a lowly paid bedpan boy, he is in reality a brilliant stalker with an uncanny ability to sniff out the assets of those "seniors" he professes to love.

Clanton is rocked with the rumor that the gay son of a prominent family has finally come home, to die. Of AIDS. Fear permeates the town as gossip runs unabated.

Featuring a cast of characters you'll never forget, these stories bring Ford County to vivid and colorful life. Often hilarious, frequently moving, this collection makes it abundantly clear why John Grisham is our most popular storyteller.

©2009 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2009 Random House

Enjoyed

Had this book for several months, but would not read it. I thought it would be boring. I was wrong. Instead, there were 7 entertaining stories.

Masterful Story Teller

Grisham is a master story teller who makes you feel and think about the issues he brings to our attention. You won’t be disappointed at all!

Not what I expected

The stories were of characters we have never met which makes the novel likable and not. I would have liked to have the stories be of the people we already know in Clanton from A Time to Kill but since the stories were enjoyable it's ok.

However, the Author should not read their own stories. Unfortunately, Mr Grisham is not an actor so all the people had the same voice. And his voice even though pleasant is monotonous which makes it hard to listen.

But overall the stories are good.

Gotta LOVE That Narrator

Fabulous! I only wish Mr. Grisham narrated ALL of his books! The best! Thank you!

Keep up the good writing

I do believe I have read or listen to every book John Grisham has written. I loved this book with the exception of the narrator. Michael back should always continue to read aloud for Audible John Grisham books. John Grisham is an awesome author but not so much with Audible skills.

Disappointing

This is one of the least enjoyable Grissom stories I’ve listened to. I found it somewhat boring and unimaginative.

not your usual Grisham book

I love John Grisham in his books. but I found this one book quite hard to get through and keep me entertained. it is a bunch of short stories and they leave you hanging most of the time.

Great stories but…..

As always, Grisham’s stories are the best! I have listened to almost all his stories. So thankful though, that he has other narrators! :)

A solid effort, it shows a different side of JG.

What made the experience of listening to Ford County the most enjoyable?

What I liked most was even though there was a legal element to most of the stories, it was more of a collection of small town snapshots. He's had much stronger work, but this emotionally driven tales that all could happen in one area. I like Harry Rex made an appearance. The novel is what Grisham is best at, but I believe it was nice to see this genre of his work also.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked the brothers arguing in the car, I liked the young man who was blew away by the trashy strippers, and I liked the nursing home con.

What about John Grisham’s performance did you like?

The variety of the stories and the raw emotions that each one brought out.

If you could rename Ford County, what would you call it?

I think the title fits perfectly.

great story...not so great delivery

This is one book I wished I would have read instead of listened to. John Grisham's talents as a writer do not cross over into reading aloud/storytelling. Great story...I won't quit listening. I'll just have to really focus.