John Grisham Discusses Publishing His 50th Book, ‘Camino Ghosts’ | The View

Summary

In this engaging interview, Whoopi Goldberg welcomes the renowned author John Grisham to discuss his 50th book, 'Camino Ghosts.' Grisham reflects on his prolific writing career, spanning over 35 years, and shares the inspiration behind his latest novel, rooted in the history of slavery and the erasure of Black history. The conversation also touches on Grisham's experience with book signings, the state of the Supreme Court, and his commitment to making complex legal topics accessible to readers.

Takeaways

• 📚 John Grisham, a renowned author with 49 consecutive best-sellers, discusses his 50th book, 'Camino Ghosts'.
• 🎧 Whoopi Goldberg narrated the audiobook for 'Camino Ghosts', marking a significant collaboration.
• 🏖️ 'Camino Ghosts' is set on Camino Island and incorporates elements of beach culture, mystery, and history.
• 📖 The novel is the third in the Camino series and touches on themes of slavery and black history in the United States.
• 🗣️ Grisham shares the inspiration behind 'Camino Ghosts', stemming from historical events involving slavery and the slave trade.
• 😅 Whoopi humorously recounts her experience narrating 'Bleachers', highlighting the emotional and physical demands of the task.
• 🤔 Grisham reflects on the current state of the Supreme Court, mentioning his previous work 'The Pelican Brief' and its relevance to current events.
• 👵 Whoopi and Joy discuss the idea of mandatory retirement for federal judges at age 75 as a solution to some of the issues within the judiciary.
• 📜 Grisham pays tribute to independent bookstores and shares anecdotes from his extensive book signings, including the physical toll they took.
• 👏 The studio audience is gifted copies of 'Camino Ghosts', demonstrating Grisham's popularity and the show's appreciation for his work.

Q & A

Who is John Grisham and what is his significance in the literary world?

John Grisham is a highly successful author with 49 consecutive best-sellers, known for his legal thrillers, sports books, and children's books. He has been writing for over 35 years and continues to be a prominent figure in the literary world.

What is the title of John Grisham's 50th book?

The title of John Grisham's 50th book is 'Camino Ghosts'.

Who narrated the audiobook for 'Camino Ghosts'?

Whoopi narrated the audiobook for 'Camino Ghosts'.

What was the setting and theme of the novel 'Camino Ghosts'?

The novel 'Camino Ghosts' is set on Camino Island and has a beachy, spooky theme. It also explores the history of slavery and black history in the United States.

What was the inspiration behind the story of 'Camino Ghosts'?

The inspiration for 'Camino Ghosts' came from a piece of history related to the slave trade and the barrier islands of Florida and Georgia, where slaves would try to escape to Florida, which was under Spanish rule and did not allow slavery.

What was John Grisham's experience like narrating 'Bleachers'?

John Grisham found narrating 'Bleachers' to be a challenging experience, requiring four days in a soundstage and resulting in him losing his voice. He described it as hard work and emotional, especially during the reading of a funeral scene.

How does John Grisham feel about the current state of the Supreme Court?

John Grisham expressed concern about the current state of the Supreme Court, mentioning ethical challenges and rulings. He particularly pointed to the 2000 election case as a turning point when the court became more political.

What is John Grisham's opinion on the length of service for federal judges?

John Grisham suggested that all federal judges should retire at the age of 75 as a solution to the issues he sees with the court.

What tribute does 'Camino Ghosts' pay to independent bookstores?

The book pays tribute to independent bookstores, reflecting John Grisham's history of visiting and supporting them throughout his career.

What was the atmosphere like at John Grisham's early book signings?

John Grisham's early book signings were intense, lasting 10 to 15 hours, with fans waiting in line for long periods. He used ice buckets for his hand and had a masseuse on hand due to the physical demands of such long signings.

How does John Grisham make complex topics accessible to his readers?

John Grisham is known for making complex topics like law and politics accessible and understandable to his readers without talking down to them, which is one of the reasons people love his books.