Calico Joe by John Grisham.
This book came across my desk because as required summer reading for Mississippi State (the university Mr. Grisham attended. I’m not attending State, but my brother is, and he arrived home with Calico Joe from orientation. And, because I don’t let words in the house without reading them, added another book to my “currently reading” stack. I was not disappointed.
Calico Joe is my first adult John Grisham novel. Up until this point, the only Grisham experience I have had is is Theodore Boone series (which is amazing, by the way). Always meant to try one of his adult books, but never got around to it. Known for his courtroom and legal stories, Mr. Grisham changes things up with the story of a baseball game that changed lives. This tear-jerking story is not one you want to miss.
Paul Tracey is older now, married with children, when he gets the call that Warren Tracey is dying of cancer. Warren, the father that left him bruised and broken years ago. The husband that never loved his wife. The pitcher that ripped apart a man’s life and dream. Warren is dying. So Paul decides to attempt the impossible, and see if Warren can talk to the one person who has no reason to forgive him. The man he ruined back in 1973.
The Home Runs
This is a beautiful story of seeking closure and forgiveness, even at the end of life. It is terribly obvious that Warren Tracey deserves no forgiveness. Besides, by all appearances he’s too late. But that’s the beauty of forgiveness – we never deserve it and it is never too late.
While Warren’s former wife and daughter have refused to see Warren in years, Paul is still attempting a relationship of some kind with his father. It is terribly sobering to read the deep desire this son has to have a father – even in the face of all that his dad has done. In addition, Joe Castle is an amazing example of unconditional forgiveness.
The Strikes
Several instances of language (moderate), references to infidelity (moderate), violence and abuse (mild to moderate).
The Score
Incredible book that draws you in, and keeps you hanging onto each word. You are desperate to find out where Joe is and what he’s doing now. Interesting to read Calico Joe after recently viewing “I Can Only Imagine.” Both focus on the relationship of a son with his abusive father. But while the film is telling a story from a Christian worldview, the novel ends with the lack of hope that hallmarks a life without Christ.
It is a terrible thing to watch Warren come to the end of his life and find that there is nothing he can do to change the choices he made. Read Calico Joe knowing that we are all Warren.
That’s why we need the Lord. But for Him, we all would be like Warren – coming to the end of life where we got all that we wanted and find we have nothing. But for the Lord.