In the summer of his seventeenth year, Samuel Sooleymon gets the chance of a lifetime: a trip to the United States with his South Sudanese teammates to play in a showcase basketball tournament. He has never been away from home, nor has he ever been on an airplane. The opportunity to be scouted by dozens of college coaches is a dream come true.
At least 400,000 people were murdered. At least four million, mostly women and children, were displaced and forced to scramble to safety in sprawling refugee camps.
John Grisham is virtually synonymous with the legal thriller, a genre he has dominated for decades. However, with Sooley, Grisham takes a significant and heartfelt detour, swapping the courtroom for the basketball court and delivering a story that is less about legal maneuvering and more about the human spirit, cultural assimilation, and the power of hope.
Sooley follows Samuel Sooleymon, a seventeen-year-old from a remote village in war-torn South Sudan. Discovered in a makeshift basketball tournament, Sooley’s raw talent and towering height earn him a scholarship to a small Christian college in North Carolina. Arriving in the United States is a seismic shift for Sooley – a world away from the violence and poverty he knows. He grapples with overwhelming culture shock, academic struggles, language barriers, and the constant, agonizing worry about his family’s safety back home.
Basketball quickly becomes Sooley’s lifeline and his driving force. He dedicates himself to improving his game, fueled by the desperate hope that success – specifically, reaching the NBA – will provide the means to help his family escape their dire circumstances. Grisham chronicles Sooley’s journey on and off the court, highlighting his rapid development as a player, his efforts to navigate American college life, and the emotional weight he carries.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is the character of Sooley himself. Grisham creates an incredibly sympathetic and resilient protagonist whose struggles and triumphs feel genuine. Sooley’s innocence, determination, and vulnerability are compelling, making it easy for readers to root for him despite the immense odds stacked against him. The novel effectively conveys the stark contrast between Sooley’s past life and his new reality, exploring themes of displacement, adaptation, and the enduring bonds of family.
Grisham’s writing style, known for its accessibility and straightforward pacing, serves the story well here. He moves the narrative along effectively, building empathy for Sooley and maintaining a focus on his journey. While the basketball elements are central, the book is less about intricate game analysis and more about the sport as a vehicle for hope and a means to a better future.
However, readers expecting the signature tension and intricate plotting of Grisham’s legal thrillers might find Sooley a different experience. The narrative is more character-driven and emotionally focused. Some might find certain aspects of Sooley’s rapid rise in basketball or his adjustment to American life occasionally simplified, though this doesn’t significantly detract from the overall emotional impact.
In conclusion, Sooley is a refreshing and moving departure for John Grisham. It’s a powerful story about resilience, hope, and the pursuit of dreams against the backdrop of immense hardship. While it may not feature legal intrigue, it offers a deeply human narrative that is both inspiring and thought-provoking. It’s a testament to Grisham’s ability to tell a compelling story outside his usual comfort zone and a worthwhile read, particularly for those interested in sports, coming-of-age stories, or tales of overcoming adversity.