Journal Entry 1 by debrayn from Saint Marys, Georgia USA on Saturday, September 07, 2002

Different type of mystery from Grisham - more about family ties - still engrossing. 

Journal Entry 2 by debrayn from Saint Marys, Georgia USA on Wednesday, October 15, 2003

mailing to Rendiru - part of phillycarol bookring 

Journal Entry 3 by Rendiru from Carmichael, California USA on Wednesday, October 22, 2003

Received in the mail today. I'll start it as soon as I finish the book I'm currently reading. I've never read a John Grisham book, so I'm curious about how I'll react. Thanks for sharing this book, debrayn! 

Journal Entry 4 by Rendiru from Carmichael, California USA on Sunday, October 26, 2003

This book was both intriguing and disturbing. It showed some of the best and the worst of a rural farming community back in the 50's. I was often disturbed by the things that Luke witnessed, and I felt like he reacted in ways that were a little older than I would expect for someone his age. Still, I was glad to have the chance to read this - parts of the story really touched me because they reminded me of stories my family tells of farming in Texas and Oklahoma during the same years as this novel. Thanks for sharing, debrayn!

I'll get this in the mail to brideofmessiah this week (arugh48187 asked to be skipped). 

Journal Entry 5 by brideofmessiah from Hillsboro, Missouri USA on Friday, January 16, 2004

Eeeeep! This just surfaced on my computer desk! I know I received it looooong ago! I'm sure I stuck it on the desk "to register later" when I got online & it must subsequently have become covered w/other junk. Since I thought I was bookring bookless at present I'm acutally happy that I found this! :) I'll start on it just as soon as I finish Four to Score. 

Journal Entry 6 by brideofmessiah from Hillsboro, Missouri USA on Monday, January 19, 2004

Wow! It wasn't what I was expecting, although I'm not sure quite what I was expecting! I, too, found it difficult to believe that Luke was only 7 years old. That's quite a stretch - I would have believed maybe 10 or 12. This was a beautifully written story. I especially liked all the bits about Cardinals baseball & listening to Harry Caray on the radio, etc. Having grown up in St. Louis gave me quite a connection there! I have fond memories of us & the neighbor kids playing baseball in our back & front yards! 

Journal Entry 7 by phillycarol from King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania USA on Saturday, January 31, 2004

Received in the mail yesterday. I have 1.5 books in front of it but I should get to it shortly. :) 

Journal Entry 8 by phillycarol from King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, February 09, 2004

John Grisham continues to surprise me. Skipping Christmas was the first non-legal-thriller of his that I read and I enjoyed it but found it to be a little hokey. Now with A Painted House I am even more pleasantly surprised with the depth of the story and how well it is told. The only problem I had is believing that Luke was only 7 years old. His reactions and expressions seem to belong to an older boy. Nonetheless, the story was excellent.

I'll get this book in the mail to Lizanne by the end of this week. Thanks for sharing this one, debrayn! 

Journal Entry 9 by Lizanne from Madison, New Jersey USA on Thursday, February 12, 2004

Just received in mail today! I hope to get it started this weekend. 

Journal Entry 10 by Lizanne from Madison, New Jersey USA on Tuesday, February 17, 2004

I very much enjoyed the story. Hard to believe this all happened in one harvest! Setting was wonderfull and detail was a great change from the fast paced action.

Off traveling. 

Journal Entry 11 by jennyscott from Asheville, North Carolina USA on Sunday, February 22, 2004

Got this in a bookring and it's a good thing I am last because I have several books in front of it. Will journal more when read. It sounds good.

3-8-2004---Starting this today.


3-14-2004----Just finished this enjoyed the story of the little boy and his family. At first I felt like another of the journalers that the story was told as if by more than a seven year old but then as I read it and thought about an adult looking back the story would take on those qualities because feelings could be analyzed and put into words better. I enjoyed this and was glad to get another chance to read Grisham. This is only the second book by him that I have read.