Book Review: Calico Joe

Calico Joe

By John Grisham

Published 2012

Doubleday

198 pages

I listened to this book on my phone, having downloaded it from my local library.  Of course, I didn't think it was about a calico cat, but I was hopeful.  John Grisham is a favorite author, having written "The Firm", "The Pelican Brief", and "The Client", just to name a few.  His books tend to translate well into Hollywood movies, with stars such as Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Cruise.  "Calico Joe" is about baseball, professional and little league, and how the game and it's players can take root in one's soul.  The story is mostly written by Paul, whose father is a failing starting pitcher for the New York Mets.  Then, in 1973, a phenomenal young player is pulled up from the minor leagues to play for the Chicago Cubs, and the baseball world is set on it's ear by Joe Castle and his record-breaking rookie season. When Warren Tracey, Paul's dad, and Joe finally meet in a game, every thing in their respective worlds change...drastically.  For Paul and his family, for Joe and his family...things are never the same again.

John Grisham can tell you a story in a way that sweeps you along, makes you sit up late into the night turning pages, or in my case, listening to the book while commuting, while out walking for exercise, and even while taking a bath!  The feel of "Calico Joe" can be compared to A Field Of Dreams movie, with it's ability to convince the reader that baseball is ethereal and ruthless, at the same time.   I guess that's a bit cat-like.