Sooley measures up to Grisham’s highly entertaining, thrilling, captivating standards exhibited in Camino Island, Camino Winds, Gray Mountain and A Time for Mercy. I would not compare this to Rogue Lawyer, which seems to have a different style that is not to my taste (though I didn’t get far in that book so probably shouldn’t judge).
The basketball game descriptions were thrilling. (I don’t watch sports on TV, but I enjoy playing sports and have some level of familiarity.) There’s more great shots than ways to describe them, but they never sound repetitious. Description of war and the refugee experience is gripping without relying on extraordinary events to make it so. The story of a young man with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while carrying the weight of his family back in his war-torn country is very touching and superbly executed. Samuel is dedicated, determined, fun-loving and naive. The workings of the plot isn’t very complex. On the other hand, it’s pleasantly not convoluted.
I listened to the audio book. What a treat! The narrator, Dion Graham, is wonderful. Can’t have asked for a better one. Deep, and pleasant timbre. Always clear who’s talking. Convincing southern US and Sudanese accents (though I don’t know what a Sudanese accent should sound like). Female voices also great. Even volume and pace.