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Title: Calico Joe
Author: John Grisham
Narrator: Erik Singer
Format: Unabridged
Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
Language: English
Release date: 04-10-12
Publisher: Random House Audio
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1101 votes
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Publisher's Summary:
A surprising and moving novel of fathers and sons, forgiveness and redemption, set in the world of Major League Baseball.
Whatever happened to Calico Joe?
It began quietly enough with a pulled hamstring. The first baseman for the Cubs AAA affiliate in Wichita went down as he rounded third and headed for home. The next day, Jim Hickman, the first baseman for the Cubs, injured his back. The team suddenly needed someone to play first, so they reached down to their AA club in Midland, Texas, and called up a 21-year-old named Joe Castle. He was the hottest player in AA and creating a buzz.
In the summer of 1973, Joe Castle was the boy wonder of baseball, the greatest rookie anyone had ever seen. The kid from Calico Rock, Arkansas, dazzled Cub fans as he hit home run after home run, politely tipping his hat to the crowd as he shattered all rookie records.
Calico Joe quickly became the idol of every baseball fan in America, including Paul Tracey, the young son of a hard-partying and hard-throwing Mets pitcher. On the day that Warren Tracey finally faced Calico Joe, Paul was in the stands, rooting for his idol but also for his dad. Then Warren threw a fastball that would change their lives forever.
In John Grishams new novel, the baseball is thrilling, but its what happens off the field that makes Calico Joe a classic.
Members Reviews:
Short but worth at least 2 credits
Would you consider the audio edition of Calico Joe to be better than the print version?
I haven't read the print version, but the audio could hardly have been better.
What other book might you compare Calico Joe to and why?
I've never read a book quite like it
What about Erik Singers performance did you like?
I can't put a finger on it. He just seemed perfect for the story. I have no idea how he would have done if he had to impersonate many characters.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
A story of baseball and redemption (though the word redemption might give too much away)
Any additional comments?
A wonderful story in every way. Suitable for all ages and tastes.
IN ORDER TO BE FAIR
What disappointed you about Calico Joe?
In order to be fair I will have to go back and rate many of Grisham's previous books as all five stars; but this one was terrible. It was shallow, predictable, grossly overpriced for a four hour book - and to a true baseball fan completely unbelievable.
Would you ever listen to anything by John Grisham again?
Sure; he is a great writer who had a bad at bat.
Did the narration match the pace of the story?
Yes, it was slow and boring too.
If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Calico Joe?
Everything after the title. It had promise.
Any additional comments?
My son played John Grisham's son Ty in a baseball game in Jacksonville in the early 90s. He clearly loves the game, and has done a lot of good things with his money for kids in general and sports in particular.
He is a wonderful man, an excellent author. . .this book is beneath him.
Baseball fans only
What did you like best about Calico Joe? What did you like least?
There is lots of baseball memorabilia with play by play descriptions.