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

The View

29 May 202408:19

Summary

TLDRIn 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.

Outlines

00:00

📚 John Grisham's 50th Book and Audiobook Narration

Whoopi Goldberg welcomes John Grisham, the renowned author with 49 consecutive best-sellers, back to the show. Grisham discusses his 50th book, 'Camino Ghosts,' which is part of his Camino series and features a blend of beachy, spooky elements, and a profound connection to the erasure of slavery and Black history. Whoopi shares her experience narrating the audiobook, highlighting the challenges and the emotional intensity of the material. Grisham also talks about the process of selecting Whoopi as the narrator, including a humorous anecdote about correcting his mispronunciation of her name during recording.

05:01

🗣️ Grisham on Supreme Court, Book Tours, and Writing

The conversation shifts to Grisham's views on the current state of the Supreme Court, with Joy Behar noting the ethical challenges and political decisions that have marred its reputation. Grisham humorously suggests a solution of mandatory retirement at age 75 for all federal judges. The discussion also includes a reflection on Grisham's past book tours, which were so demanding that he used ice buckets for his hand and had a masseuse on standby. He shares anecdotes about the intense experiences, including the 10-15 hour signings and the decision to stop such marathon events. The panelists express their appreciation for Grisham's ability to make complex subjects accessible and engaging, and Whoopi announces that the studio audience will receive copies of 'Camino Ghosts.'

Mindmap

Keywords

💡John Grisham

John Grisham is a renowned American author, known for his legal thrillers. In the script, he is celebrated for his 50th book, 'Camino Ghosts,' which is part of the Camino series. Grisham's work is characterized by its accessibility and ability to make complex legal matters understandable to a broad audience. His books often explore themes of justice, ethics, and the legal system, as evidenced by his previous works like 'The Pelican Brief.'

💡Camino Ghosts

'Camino Ghosts' is the 50th book by John Grisham and the third in his Camino series. The novel is set on Camino Island, which is based on Amelia Island in Florida. The story incorporates elements of beach culture, mystery, and history, particularly relating to the erasure of slavery and black history in the United States. The script mentions that Grisham was inspired by the historical context of the area during the slave trade era.

💡Slave Trade

The term 'slave trade' refers to the historical transatlantic trade where enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas. In the script, Grisham discusses how the setting of 'Camino Ghosts' was influenced by the history of the slave trade, especially the fact that slaves would try to escape to Florida, which was under Spanish rule and did not allow slavery at the time, as opposed to Georgia, which was a slave state.

💡Audiobook Narration

An 'audiobook narration' is the act of reading a book aloud to create an audio version for listeners. In the script, Whoopi Goldberg narrates the audiobook for 'Camino Ghosts.' The process of narrating an audiobook requires talent and flair, as it involves not only reading the text but also bringing the story to life with voice inflections and emotional expression, as evidenced by Whoopi's experience narrating 'Bleachers' and the emotional toll it took on her.

💡Legal Thrillers

Legal thrillers are a genre of fiction that combines legal drama with elements of suspense, crime, and courtroom proceedings. Grisham is known for writing legal thrillers, and the script mentions that he enjoys writing in this genre. His books often involve intricate plots that explore legal issues and ethical dilemmas, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking.

💡Independent Bookstores

Independent bookstores are locally owned and operated bookstores that are not part of a larger chain. In the script, Grisham pays tribute to independent bookstores, reflecting his support for these businesses and the role they play in the literary community. He shares anecdotes about book signings at these stores, highlighting the personal connections authors can make with readers.

💡Supreme Court

The 'Supreme Court' is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States and has the final say on legal matters. The script includes a discussion about the current state of the Supreme Court, with references to ethical challenges and political controversies. Grisham's previous work, 'The Pelican Brief,' also involved the Supreme Court, indicating his interest in and influence on legal-themed narratives.

💡Book Signings

A 'book signing' is an event where an author signs copies of their book for fans. In the script, Grisham recalls the intensity of early book signings that lasted for 10 to 15 hours, requiring ice buckets for his hand and a masseuse. These events were a testament to his popularity and the dedication of his readers, but he eventually stopped doing such marathon signings due to the physical strain.

💡Accessibility

Accessibility in literature refers to the ability of a writer to convey complex ideas in a way that is understandable to a general audience. The script praises Grisham for his ability to make legal and historical topics accessible, which is a key aspect of his writing style. By doing so, he ensures that his books are engaging and informative for a wide range of readers.

💡Fiction

Fiction is a form of literature that tells a story not based on real events or people. Grisham's works, while often inspired by real-world issues, are classified as fiction. The script emphasizes that his stories are fictional creations, even when they touch on real societal concerns, which allows him to explore themes and scenarios in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Highlights

Whoopi welcomes John Grisham, a successful author with 49 consecutive best-sellers.

Whoopi narrated the audiobook for Grisham's latest novel, 'Camino Ghosts'.

Grisham discusses the setting and attire for a beach wedding in 'Camino Ghosts'.

Whoopi praises Grisham's 50th book and his long career.

Grisham shares his passion for writing and plans to continue as long as he stays healthy.

The decision to have Whoopi narrate Grisham's audiobook is discussed.

Whoopi corrects Grisham's pronunciation of her name during the recording.

Whoopi reflects on the emotional challenge of narrating 'Bleachers' and its impact on her voice.

Grisham's inspiration for 'Camino Ghosts' comes from historical events related to slavery.

The conversation touches on the current state of the Supreme Court and Grisham's previous work, 'The Pelican Brief'.

Grisham humorously suggests a solution for the Supreme Court's issues: mandatory retirement at 75.

Alyssa asks about Grisham's tribute to independent bookstores in his new book.

Grisham recalls the intense book signings in the early days of his career and the need for ice buckets.

Whoopi expresses gratitude to Grisham for making complex topics accessible in his books.

The studio audience is gifted with copies of 'Camino Ghosts'.