Favourite Books discussion
Distain For Grisham?
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He might write an interesting story but he doesn't write well. Why waste your time - there are so many incredible writers out there telling interesting stories but doing it with some finesse, intelligence, panache, just a pure joy to read.
I must agree with Elove... I really enjoy reading Grisham's books... He is one of my favorite authors... I don't usually read books of famous authors that write each month a new book, but I really like his writing style and the type of books he writes...
He not only managed to give us a modern Huck Finn tale, seen through the eyes of a 7 year old boy in a first person narrative. A difficult writing task in itself, but more so since it maintains believability even with a 7 year old protagonist, while remaining complex, and yet is melliflously flowing with readability. I'm talking, of course, about A Painted House, Mr. Grishams 1st foray into a totally new genre. Poor overall donned characters struggling to survive as cotton farmers, and their even poorer, itenerant cotton pickers, are a far cry from corporate higherarchy, and the slick dressed silver tongued lawyers who represent them.
In the very same year as A Painted House, he gave us a refreshingly concievable satire on the modern rigors of Christmas. The reader actually empathizes with the villains of this story, and in many cases even sides with them, wishing that they could "Skip Christmas," and go to a sunny paradise with the Kranks as well. Though the Kranks are no Ebenezer Scrooges, there's no mistaking that they are the villains. They are ruinning Christmas for everyone with their selfishness. Grisham provides us with far more than any satirical writer has ever given us. The title, "Skipping Christmas," is undeniably thought provoking. Guiding readers thoughts is one of Grishams most notable trademarks. The movie producers would have done well to leave the title as it was. Strictly adhearing to the original writing, as was necessary for the movies success, left them feeling that they needed to change at least something.
Recently Grisham has delved into non-fiction with an Innocent Man. In 1996 he came out of retirement from practicing law to win his largest settlement ever. He obviously did not need this case or the money. Seeking new challenges though, and honing old skills that most would consider to have already been mastered, is what sets John Grisham apart as the most diverse and prolific writer of our time. He will go down with the likes of Mark Twain, William Faulkner, and the many others who came before, and from whom he has drawn his inspiration.
So, unmentionalbe? Hardly. Holding distain for someone because they have sold hundreds of millions of books is not a valid reason for questioning their writing skills. Its actually rather inane. John Grisham has paid his dues. If you read his bio. you will find that he has taken no formal creative writing courses. Ever. Life, hard work ethic, and natural abilities are his secret to success. These are qualities one must be born with or develope in childhood, in order to inherit such greatness.