Calico Joe [Hardcover]

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Calico Joe [Hardcover]

Product Details

Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Doubleday (April 10, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385536070
ISBN-13: 978-0385536073
Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.9 x 8.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

By : John Grisham
List Price : ~~$24.95~~
Price : $13.97
You Save : $10.98 (44%)

Customer Reviews

This was really 4 1/2 stars for me. I love baseball and John Grisham's books, so I was not surprised at my response to this book.
Often, young athletes take plenty of sideline coaching,from their Dads, and it is not always positive. Paul Tracey had it harded than most as his dad was Warren Tracey, a major league pitcher. When Warren was playing for the Mets he hit an up and coming rookie in the head; and not any rookie, but one that was breaking records from his first at bat in the major leagues, Joe Castle aka Calico Joe.
The beanball ruin both careers and this is the story of what happened when the spotlight dimmed. 30 years later, Paul Tracey trys to re-unite the two players. Will both parties agree to meet? Will the truth be told after all these years? Will forgiveness be withheld or given? Will a father and son finally come to terms with their relationship?
To find out you will have to read this memorable story filled with wonderfully developed characters and love, hate, forgiveness, and redeemation.
It is not just a baseball story.

Warren Tracy was a pitcher for the Mets and being a New York die heart Mets fan I thought I would love this book but sorry to say I did not. I honestly think Mr Grisham should stick to mysteries as I also read Playing for Pizza and was disappointed.
Warren Tracy is a frustrated, cruel and vicious man. He beats his wife abuses his son and makes him want to not continue in baseball since he was eleven., plus he embarrasses him in front of others commenting on how awful he plays and when he is drunk which is often beats him up. He leaves the family and gets remarried and not just once but several times during his life.
Paul gets a call from his new step mother is she number five or six? She tells him that his father has pancreatic cancer and maybe he should call his sister Jill and his mom to tell them the news. Now Paul has to decide if he wants to rekindle a friendship with a father he cannot stand?
On one memorable day in history, according to Mr. Grisham the Cubs are playing the Mets in 1973 and Joe Castle is up to bat and Warren Tracy is the pitcher. One pitch and two lives are changed forever and will never be the same. Both are now living much different lives then they had expected.
Paul feels he wants his Dad to see Joe Castle before he dies and tell him what really happened that day as he feels it is something he wants to do. He refuses and so we think the story is over but being the wonderful story teller Mr Grisham is it does not end with that and continues with some changes and second changes. If you are a baseball fan your gonna love it but if you are a mystery fan as I am you might be a little disappointed.