Sooley: A Novel

While John Grisham is mostly known for his legal thrillers, he has also written some popular novels centered around sports such as Bleachers, Playing for Pizza and Calico Joe. Now he turns to basketball with Sooley, a novel about a young man who escapes war-torn South Sudan by making a basketball team that would be playing in a tourney in the United States. Samuel Sooleyman, a 17-year-old with raw but untapped basketball talent, was the last player selected for this team. Considering this a lucky break, he gets even better news when he learns that he will be provided a scholarship to play basketball at North Carolina Central. This was done by the school's coach mainly as a favor to the coach who brought the team from Sudan to America. While at NC Central, Samuel's family is fleeing their village which has been burnt by the fighting. His mother Beatrice and two siblings find refuge at a camp in Uganda, but Samuel is anguished at their plight. In the meantime, his basketball skills improve greatly and he becomes an instant star as NC Central makes an improbable run for a great season. Two main thoughts on this very good novel for basketball fans: one is that for his first basketball story, Grisham writes about the college basketball landscape like a seasoned veteran. Whether it was about recruiting, early practice, redshirting promising freshman who likely will not play (which was going to originally be Samuel's situation) or the NCAA tournament, nearly every basketball passage is written with clarity and depth that will make basketball fans happy. In fact, these were so good that at times I forgot this was a fictional book. This was the case when NC Central makes the tournament as a 16 seed and it is mentioned that no #16 seed has beaten a #1 seed and the same for #15 over #2 and #14 over #3. I thought, "Wait that HAS happened, what is he talking about?" Then I stopped and remembered this is fiction. Speaking of fiction, all of the elements that one would hope for in a good fictional story – good character development, an interesting story and side story and an ending that leaves the reader satisfied. While one might say the story of Beatrice and her family's survival during the fighting and subsequent life at the refugee camp may be the more important story than that of Samuel, it is written with the same care that Samuel's basketball life at NC Central is. Both Grisham fans and basketball fans will enjoy this book.

John Grisham has abandoned his usual legal thriller format with this haunting story of Samuel Sooleymon, nicknamed “Sooley,” a teen basketball phenom from the war-torn African nation of South Sudan. His improbable journey takes him from his home in South Sudan to America as a member of the South Sudan national under-18 basketball team and on to a university basketball scholarship and stardom on his college team. Simultaneously, in his South Sudan homeland, the raging civil war brings tragedy to his family. His meteoric rise is chronicled in alternating chapters with chilling scenes of conditions in a Ugandan refugee camp where his mother and brothers have fled for their lives. Sooley’s overriding goal in life becomes rescuing his family from that camp and everything he does is for that ultimate purpose. I always find Grisham’s novels enlightening as well as entertaining. An avid basketball fan, he actually made every aspect of the game -- techniques, strategies, game plans, etc. -- understandable, even exciting. But this novel, as almost every other Grisham novel, had a much deeper underlying purpose than mere entertainment. He builds every story around some form of compelling societal injustice, filling it out with factual details presented through an engaging central character. This novel was particularly compelling with its depiction of the plight of war refugees, especially when juxtaposed against the abundance of American life and the ultrawealthy world of professional athletes. Key scenes layered into this story spotlighted the dangerous culture around casual recreational drug use and the tragedies that sometimes result for those who indulge, either knowingly or unknowingly. Grisham’s novels always close with an unexpected twist that brings a satisfying but often bittersweet resolution to the storyline. This one fell into the bittersweet category and it will stay with me for a very long time.

Really different Grisham novel! If you don't like basketball before reading this, you'll definitely be a fan afterwards! Grisham's adept storytelling plays out well in this intense Cinderella sports thriller about a seventeen-year-old boy from South Sudan, who dreams of playing basketball in the United States. This poignant story begins in Africa and follows Samuel Sooleman ("Sooley") pursuing his dreams in his own country amid armed conflicts between government and rebel forces. The story splits to follow Sooley on his life-changing adventure, while also sharing his family's horrific experiences in the region's many humanitarian crises. The unusual plot and storyline doesn't fit most of Grisham's traditional genre of legal thrillers, but it's compelling story is both inspiring and heartwrenching with its many twists and challenges. I didn't want to put it down once I started. Grisham's well-developed characters and detailed storyline are so believable it's hard to think this is a fictional tale. Vivid story details and descriptions are well researched, giving life to the narrative that seems like it taken from a first class sports magazine or news magazine. A worthwhile read for entertainment, filled with emotion and energy, while motivating reflection. Several important social issues add depth and interest to a memorable reading experience. I bought Audible's narration supplement separately to add life and personality to my reading enjoyment. A nice touch. Definitely 4.5 Stars!

This is a well-written novel about a South Sudanese family involving two plot lines that head in totally different directions. One choice is highly sought after and embraced by all and the other is forced upon them with tragic circumstances. Both plots revolve around the reality of how hard it is to escape this war torn country. John Grisham has woven these two story lines into an intricate and involving tale addressing the good and the bad in this world. Anticipated outcomes don't always result in expected results and collateral damage is always lurking in the shadows. Nothing good comes without effort but you have to be careful with whichever path you choose to take. As always, the author presents the reader with well developed characters and detailed scenes. His knowledge of college basketball and early-in NBA draftees is well presented. But his gripping detail about the Sudanese war and refugee camps is a real eye-opener. The plight of so many African refugees is both sad and horrific. Readers might wonder what they can do to help without their donations getting into the wrong hands. One path leads down a path of tragedy while the other flies toward success. Leave it to John Grisham to show you how each of them works out. Well worth reading!

At first I was a little disappointed that this book was not going to be about attorneys and crimes and a look into the real life of people who are not what they appear to be. But I was very, very pleasantly surprised by this book from the opening chapter to the end. I think it might be my very favorite of all of his books. I should have known that John Grisham never disappoints. I am a basketball fan, and his descriptions of the plays in the games and practices made the game come to life, as though I was there watching it. There was not one boring part in the whole book. Basketball lovers will love it, but you don’t have to be one in order to enjoy this book fully. I don’t know how he still manages to come up with surprising plots and endings, no matter what subject about which he is writing. I rarely read a book twice, but I’m sure I am going to read this one again. I can’t get enough of the character of Sooley. You don’t want to miss this powerful story. I can’t wait to read his next book. I have pre-ordered it already. Thanks, John Grisham, for a fantastic book.

Never finished

Quite a different novel by Grisham. If you are a basketball lover this book is for you. Excellent story line which I much enjoyed.

This Grisham novel is an excellent read of the story of an African young man thrusted into college athletics. The way the story unfolds had the reader going back and forth between the plight of war raged South Sudan and Durham, NC. The story deftly navigates the pressures of a freshman basketball player to find a way to rescue his family from a refugee camp. The hard work of the player results in rewards of become a national sports phenom. The story takes a tragic turn but the quest of the player comes to fruition in the end. The use of athletics at an Historically Black College and University (HBCU) shows the empathy of the giving the underdog a chance, as done throughout the history of these fine institutions. As a graduate of and having taught and performed research at two HBCUs the story is very uplifting. The basketball accomplishments in the story may be deemed a little over the top, but they can happen as many talented players do don the colors of HBCUs 😊. Overall, a well developed story by a well-renowned author.