Calico Joe, John Grisham’s novel about a rookie baseball player whose career is cut short, is currently enjoying its fourth week on the New York Times bestseller list. I also predict it will soon get another boost for Father’s Day. As Martin Brady writes in his BookPage review of the novel:
“Beneath all the baseball lore and Grisham’s obvious affection for the game, Calico Joe offers a sad but real tale about fathers and sons and the difficulties family members can experience when attempting to re-establish severed bonds.”
I recently gave a copy of the book to my mom, and she responded with a bit of local news. I am from Little Rock, and the main character in Grisham’s novel is from Calico Rock, Arkansas—a small town that’s home to about 1,000 people. It’s practically up the street from where my dad grew up.
My mom sent me a quote from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, from columnist Linda Caillouet:
“[Calico Joe is] really helping to put our little historic town—which is almost totally dependent on tourism to keep old historic Main Street alive—on the map,” Matthews says of the book. [Matthews is a business owner in Calico Rock.]
In March, the town’s museum (created with the help of a generous donation from Grisham) saw an increase in visitors and April promises to be even better, says Matthews, whose rustic lodge overlooks the White River.
Apparently Grisham’s ancestors were early pioneers of the small town. Who knew?
I love books where I can claim a personal connection to the setting, like The Homecoming of Samuel Lake or The Lions of Little Rock. What book did you enjoy that is set in your home state? Will Calico Joe inspire you to make a pilgrimage to Calico Rock?
I truely love reading John Grisham’s Books,I really never read to many books until i met John now i read all of his books,And have all of them.I really like the Painted house because my parents lived near his Grandparents when i was younger.
I am a native of Salem (Fulton County) Arkansas and now live down the road in Izard County. Grisham’s description of Calico Rock was spot-on. I have fond memories of spending time with my great aunt and great grandmother on the bluffs of White River. It is always great to read about my home state . . . Thanks John Grisham for painting our ‘Hills’ and her folks in their true, beautiful and positive light!
I remember visiting Calico Rock when I was younger…great little town and super fishing area as well. Also, I understand that John is from a little town called Black Oak, and that is where my husband was born. I’ve read several of John’s books, and plan to pick this one up as well.
All of us from Black Oak, indeed Arkansas, are indebted to John Grisham and some of his family members for the upbringing and moral values which he obviously absorbed and now assist him in he professional life. I grew up with him and was a very close friend when younder and still have the fond memories of our childhood. I probably know your husband as well. Keep reading, it never grows old.
No spellcheck…..younger…..