Sooley: The Gripping New Bestseller from John Grisham Hardcover April 27, 2021

Review of "Sooley" by John Grisham John Grisham, known for his legal thrillers, has released a heart-wrenching novel about a 17-year-old basketball player named Sooley from South Sudan who dreams of playing college basketball in the US. The book delves deeply into the African conflict and the intricate world of college sports recruitment. Readers hail it as a masterpiece, it's a great all-around book that tackles the reality of life, achievements and setbacks, hopes, disappointment, and triumphs. Sooley showcases how hard work and focus can get someone through tough times, and it left readers feeling emotional and appreciative of life's ups and downs. Some reviewers praised Grisham's ability to tell a powerful story outside of his usual legal-centered world, as well as his attention to dissecting the issues of disaster and resilience in South Sudan that is presented through the eyes of a hopeful and passionate young athlete. Others say that basketball was just a scaffolding device to set up the larger story in the book. The grief and difficulties etched into the characters may not be understood by the readers if basketball was the main focus of the book. A few readers were disappointed, saying that the book was not uplifting or entertaining at all, and found it depressing. Some found that there were too many vague endings or rushed details, allowing for a messier plot.