Calico Joe

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Erik Singer

Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins

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)

The type of story that stays with you for a long while

I absolutely LOVED this book! One of Grisham’s best. I found it most interesting because it does what so few books do - it breaks your heart all they through and at the same time provides hope in equal measure.

Certainly Not Your Usual Grisham!

This is a baseball story, but it is, mainly, a 'people' story. It brings together very different individuals, including the young, & impressionable, boy who idolizes Calico Joe, the young ball player just breaking into the big time. This boy is, also, the son of a Major League pitcher, who loves his son in his own way, but tries to instil his own values and beliefs into his son, through the use of force and strict discipline.
The boy's idol, Calico Joe, and the boy's father, are bound to cross paths, with their respective teams, during the Major League baseball season.
These three people are the main characters of the story, which takes place during one fateful summer, but actually unfolds over a period of years.

I found this a good listen, but be sure you are aware this is not the law-and-order Grisham writing.

John Grisham's baseball roots run deep.

Grisham's story telling impeccable. If you're looking for a crime or courtroom drama, you'll have to read between the lines - just where this game is played. The character development is just where it needs to be. The pacing and narration is like the game itself, with no clock compelling an end. Instead, the story of Calico Joe unfolds like life itself, full of cause and effect, decisions and consequences, always uncertain of resolution.

Calico Joe is a wonderful story.

The story, as in real life is made up of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. It's a gripping story about Baseball on the forefront but underneath its a story about a boy and his hero, his horrible wreck of a father, and the boy becoming a man to find closure amongst 30 years of shame.
I have to say "Calico Joe" has become one of my favorite novels. John Grisham writes of baseball with such sincerity and knowledge that you can visualize ever pitch described. The narration also is so well done by Erik Singer that the characters are represented perfectly. I will definitely be listening to this again. ( already waiting on the physical copy of the book to arrive.)

SPECTACULAR STORY

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

Great book unlike other Grisham novels very good baseball/human interest story

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

How his father affected him

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

Joe

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Kept me enraptured

Any additional comments?

Probably the best book Grisham has ever wrote and am listening to it for the 2nd time right now

Great Listen...

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

Hard to say.. but enjoyed listening to it!

What did you like best about this story?

The way the author weaved the real events into the fictionalized account made it so very enjoyable...

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

A great reader...

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

I wouldn't rename it... maybe The Pitch?

Fallouts, Baseball, & Redemption

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

I never got to read the print version but the audio edition was fantastic.

What did you like best about this story?

The best part of the story had to be when Warren & Joe got to sit down together and talk face to face.

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

My favorite character was Joe Castle.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book had many moments that made me laugh and also gave a profound sadness. As a huge baseball fan, it was a touching and nostalgic tale. It made you feel for Joe, seeing the potential greatness be destroyed by one man who was hurtful to everyone from family to teammates.

Any additional comments?

The only negative I would say is, leading to that critical turning point in the story, the narration could've been a bit more dramatic. Maybe add some kind of audio for the pitch, even a sound of the ball hitting Joe and the noise reaction from the fans in the stadium.

A little sappy but still enjoyable

Not a baseball book per se. The second half was a little ploddy, sappy and rather predictable. Best when baseball fans were talking about the game. Researched well enough that you sometimes forget it's fiction.

Excellent Read

This is certainly one if Grisham's best books. Extraordinarily well done in the plot, the characters and the subject matter. It is meaningful and highly entertaining,

Wonderful Story

Very engaging story. We listened on our vacation -my husband enjoyed it thoroughly. He didn't want to listen to it at first, but couldn't wait to get in back in the truck once he started.