Sooley

Sooley, originally published in 2021, is a sports novel and work of historical fiction by American author John Grisham. Like most of his novels, Sooley became a New York Times Best Seller. As of 2023, Grisham has written over 50 novels, mostly in the legal thriller genre. Sooley is one of the few examples of Grisham writing outside his area of expertise; the narrative follows the story of Samuel Sooleymon, a teenager from South Sudan who is separated from his family because of an ongoing civil war while pursuing his dreams of becoming an NBA player. The text jumps between Samuel’s experiences in America and his mother’s experiences in a Ugandan refugee camp. The novel focuses on global inequality and the difficulties facing refugees, as well as the potentially dangerous consequences of a sudden rise to fame and fortune. This guide refers to the 2021 DoubleDay eBook edition.

Content Warning: Sooley depicts a death by overdose, racist stereotypes, and brief moments of war and violence.

Plot Summary

Samuel Sooleymon is from the small rural village of Lotta in South Sudan. After establishing himself as the best basketball player in his village, he is invited to try out for the under-18 national team that will travel to America for a showcase tournament.