A Painted House: A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: David Lansbury

Until that September of 1952, Luke Chandler had never kept a secret or told a single lie. But in the long, hot summer of his seventh year, two groups of migrant workers — and two very dangerous men — came through the Arkansas Delta to work the Chandler cotton farm. And suddenly mysteries are flooding Luke’s world.

A brutal murder leaves the town seething in gossip and suspicion. A beautiful young woman ignites forbidden passions. A fatherless baby is born ... and someone has begun furtively painting the bare clapboards of the Chandler farmhouse, slowly, painstakingly, bathing the run-down structure in gleaming white. And as young Luke watches the world around him, he unravels secrets that could shatter lives — and change his family and his town forever....©2000, 2001 Belfry Holdings, Inc. (P)2001 Random House, Inc. Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Characters that no reader will forget. .. prose as clean and strong as any Grisham has yet laid down ... and a drop-dead evocation of a time and place that mark this novel as a classic slice of Americana.”—Publishers Weekly

“Some of the finest dialogue of his career ... Every detail rings clear and true, and nothing is wasted.”—Seattle Times

Entertaining Story

When John Grisham spoke at my graduation from Arkansas State University, I felt a bit guilty for not having read any of his works. The truth is though that I am not a huge fan of fiction. As a historian, I find the truth to be much more interesting then anything which can be imagined. This book beckoned me though as it takes place in the state where I grew up. It was very entertaining to listen to Lucas' story of life in the cotton. One of my friends, a good bit older then myself, responded to my inquiry on whether he had read this book with, "I remember being one of the hill people." It's a simple, sweet, and warm little story about the rough but honest life that some folks in Arkansas still live. You can find this kind of poverty still if you go farther south into the delta. I'm not much on Lawyer stories but I think Mr. Grisham hit a home run with this one. Iwonder if it was a St. Louis Cardinals homerun.

Touching story

This book is about a young boy growing up on a farm in Arkansas. They grew cotton and didn’t have much money. I really enjoyed the story although it didn’t seem like Grisham’s other novels. It kept my interest and the narrator did a great job.

Wonderful Story

I listened to every word. A wonderful story of three generations of a family. Great performance by Mr. Lansbury!

Favorite book

Love it! Will always read it over and over again. Narration was nicely done.

Best of All

Love the narration,love the story. It’s like growing up all over again! A story for the ages!

adiffernent type of book from grisham.

What did you love best about A Painted House?

it was just a very nice story.

What other book might you compare A Painted House to and why?

well, not in story content but buddy,how a rooster made me a family man--because these two books were books that just told a nice story. with a satisfying ending.

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

no, but i enjoyed the reading.

Who was the most memorable character of A Painted House and why?

i think they all were. maybe pappy.

Any additional comments?

towards the end it got a little slow but not enough to ruin the book. i will read this again and again.

Great book

I was surprised how much I liked this book. Not what I expected from a John Grisham book. I felt like I was with the family in everything they experienced. A great story on the perseverance, and dedication of a family. I'm sure it was exactly how the people lived and worked in this time era, leaving me with much compassion and admiration. Well written and narrated. John Grisham is one of my all time great authors.

A Painted House

This book was a lovely walk down the lanes of the past to see the world through a poor family's eyes. Easy listen. Definitely recommend.

A Great Historical Novel

Up there with "Grapes of Wrath", and "Cannery Row" -John Stienbeck-

Not your average Grishom, just a warm story including the difficulties following the Depression, WW2 and the Korean War. An epic take of life on an Arkansas cotten field.
circa-1951.

Good Read!

Wonderful Story

I enjoyed the tale. It gave me a wonderful, peaceful feeling. I recommend it to anyone wanting relief from today's ugliness.