45 pages • 1 hour read
A Painted House
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Book Brief
480
Novel • Fiction
Arkansas • 1950s
2001
Adult
14-18 years
780L
Super Short Summary
In A Painted House by John Grisham, seven-year-old Luke Chandler's life changes when he witnesses a murder by one of the workers on his family's cotton farm in Black Oak, Arkansas, during the 1952 cotton harvest season. As the only witness, Luke struggles with the moral dilemma of telling the truth, risking his family's livelihood, or lying to protect them and faces various personal and social challenges in a tightly-knit, patriarchal community. The novel includes descriptions of sexism, ableism, classism, and racism.
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
107,987 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
John Grisham's A Painted House offers a compelling departure from his usual legal thrillers, immersing readers in a Southern coming-of-age tale set in 1950s Arkansas. Praised for its vivid, nostalgic storytelling and rich character development, the novel occasionally suffers from a slow pace. Overall, it delights with atmospheric charm despite minor flaws.
Who Should Read A Painted House?
A reader who would enjoy John Grisham's A Painted House is likely a fan of Southern fiction and coming-of-age stories. This novel will appeal to those who appreciate vivid, rural settings and rich character development. Similar readers may also enjoy Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird and William Faulkner's The Reivers.
107,987 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Eli Chandler (“Pappy”)
Eli Chandler (“Pappy”)
Luke's grandfather and a disciplined, control-seeking farmer who influences Luke’s perspective on routine and authority.
Tally Spruill
Tally Spruill
A mysterious character who attracts the attention of both Luke and Cowboy, presenting an enigma with her unpredictable actions and decisions.
Kathleen Chandler
Kathleen Chandler
Luke’s mother, who aspires for her family to move beyond a life of farming and subtly encourages Luke's independence and connection to the wider world.
480
Novel • Fiction
Arkansas • 1950s
2001
Adult
14-18 years
780L
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