John Grisham Discusses Publishing His 50th Book, ‘Camino Ghosts’ | The View
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
📚 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.
🗣️ 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
💡Camino Ghosts
💡Slave Trade
💡Audiobook Narration
💡Legal Thrillers
💡Independent Bookstores
💡Supreme Court
💡Book Signings
💡Accessibility
💡Fiction
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'.
Transcripts
GET SHOPPING NOW.
>> Whoopi: WELCOME BACK.
JOHN GRISHAM IS ONE OF OUR
FAVORITE PEOPLE ON THE PLANET
AND ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL
AUTHORS OF ALL TIME WITH 49
CONSECUTIVE BEST-SELLERS AND
COUNTING.
>> Sunny: YEAH.
>> Whoopi: SO --
[ APPLAUSE ]
[ LAUGHTER ]
I WAS THRILLED TO NARRATE THE
AUDIO BOOK TORE HIS LATEST
NOVEL, "CAMINO GHOSTS."
TAKE A LOOK.
>> IT WAS AFTER ALL A BEACH
WEDDING AND MERCER MANN, THE
BRIDE WANTED SAND BETWEEN THE
TOES.
THE SUGGESTED ATTIRE WAS BEACH
CHIC WHICH MAY HAVE HAD ONE
MEANING IN PALM BEACH AND
ANOTHER IN MALIBU AND PROBABLY
SOMETHING ELSE IN THE HAMPTONS,
BUT ON CAMINO ISLAND IT MEANT
ANYTHING GOES.
>> Sunny: NICE.
>> Whoopi: PLEASE WELCOME BACK
THE MOST MAGNIFICENT JOHN
GRISHAM.
>> THANK YOU.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> Whoopi: SO, THIS IS YOUR 50th
BOOK.
>> Joy: MY GOD.
>> Whoopi: I MEAN --
>> WHO'S COUNTING?
WHO'S COUNTING.
>> Whoopi: BUT IT'S AMAZING.
SO, HOW DOES IT TEAL TO BE ON
TOP OF YOUR 50th BOOK?
>> WELL, IT'S OVER 35 YEARS SO
IT'S BEEN A LODGE TIME.
PROBABLY WAY TOO MUCH.
>> Joy: IF YOU GAVE ME 300 YEARS
I COULDN'T COME UP WITH 50.
>> IT'S STILL FUN.
I LOVE THESE STORIES, THE
BOOKS -- THE LEGAL THRILLERS ARE
STILL FUN, THE SPORTS BOOK, THE
KIDS BOOK, THEY'RE ALL FUN
WRITING AND I'M HAVING FUN AND
AS LONG AS I STAY HEALTHY I'LL
KEEP WRITING, I HOPE.
>> Sara: WHERE DID THE IDEA COME
FROM GETTING WHOOPI TO READ?
DID SHE HAVE YOU AT "GHOST"?
>> NO, WE GO THROUGH THIS EVERY
YEAR AND SEND ME SAMPLES OF
PEOPLE WHO READ PROFESSIONALLY
AND MY AGENT, DAVID, WHO DID A
SMART GUY, BEEN WITH HIM FOR
OVER 35S SAYS LET'S GET WHOOPI,
WHOOPI, DON'T MISPRONOUNCE IT.
I MISPRONOUNCED IT THE FIRST
TIME WE RECORDED IT AND GO BACK
IN THE SOUND ROOM TO GET WHOOPI
CORRECT.
THEY SAID IT'S NOT WHOOPI.
IT'S WHOOPI.
SO I HAD TO RERECORD THE WHOLE
DAMN THING.
WHOOPI WAS CORRECT BECAUSE I
DIDN'T WANT TO PISS OFF WHOOPI
SO HE SAID LET'S GET WHOOPI TO
READ IT AND I SAID, GREAT, IF
SHE'LL DO IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT
EASY.
IT TOOK YOU EIGHT DAYS.
>> Whoopi: YEAH.
>> I READ "BLEACHERS" 0 YEARS
AGO AND I WAS IN A SOUNDSTAGE
FOR FOUR DAYS.
I LOST MY VOICE.
>> Sunny: YES.
>> YOU REALIZE IT TAKES A
CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TALENT AND
FLAIR AND I DON'T HAVE ANY OF
THAT, RIGHT?
AT THE END OF "BLEACHERS" IT'S A
FOOTBALL SCENE, THE OLD COACH
DIES, FUNERAL, VERY EMOTIONAL,
IT WAS WRITTEN TO BE EMOTIONAL
AND AS I WAS READING IT I KEPT
BREAKING DOWN AND CRYING AND I
SAID, WHO WROTE THIS CRAP?
[ LAUGHTER ]
I SAID, WHEN I WALKED OUT, I
SAID NEVER AGAIN.
I'LL NEVER RECORD ANOTHER BOOK.
IT'S HARD WORK.
>> Whoopi: IT IS.
>> Sunny: THIS NOVEL IS SO
WONDERFUL.
IT'S THE THIRD IN YOUR CAMINO
SERIES AND HAS A LITTLE BIT OF
EVERYTHING, BEACHY, SPOOKY, AND
IT'S ALSO ROOTED IN THE ERASURE
OF SLAVERY AND BLACK HISTORY IN
THIS COUNTRY WHICH IS SUCH A
PROFOUND THING AT THIS MOMENT IN
TIME.
BACK WITH A VENGEANCE TODAY.
DID THAT SERVE AS INSPIRIT WRAGS
FOR THE STORY?
>> THE INSPIRATION CAME FROM A
PIECE OF HISTORY, I DIDN'T KNOW,
WE VACATION ON AMELIA ISLAND IN
FLORIDA AFTER 25 YEARS AND
CAMINO ISLAND IS BASED ON AMELIA
ISLAND, BEEN FICTIONALIZED AND
THE FIRST BARRIER ISLAND IN
FLORIDA, GEORGIA IS RIGHT ACROSS
THE INLET AND BACK DURING THE
SLAVE TRADE THE SHIPS WOULD COME
IN TO THE INLET TO THE LEFT WAS
FLORIDA, WHICH WAS RULED BY THE
SPANISH, NO SLAVERY AND TO THE
RIGHT WAS GEORGIA, RULED BY THE
BRITISH AND AMERICANS WHICH WAS
SLAVE -- SO THEY WENT TO GEORGIA
AND THE SLAVES WOULD LONG TO BE
OFF THE BOAT AND GOING TO
FLORIDA SO FOR YEARS SLAVES
WOULD TRY TO ESCAPE.
THEY WOULD DREAM OF GOING TO
FLORIDA AS OPPOSED TO THE
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.
GREAT PIECE OF HISTORY AND I
READ THAT YEARS AGO AND SOME OF
THOSE BARRIER ISLANDS WERE
SETTLED BY SLAVES, FREED SLAVES
FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
THAT WAS KIND OF THE INSPIRATION
FOR IT, A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY.
>> Sunny: GOOD.
>> Joy: SOMEBODY HAS TO WRITE
THE HISTORY.
>> Sunny: YES.
>> Joy: YOU'RE IT.
>> WHEN YOU READ HIGH HISTORY
YOU BETTER BE CAREFUL BECAUSE
I'M NOT REALLY NOTED FOR
ACCURACY.
DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU
READ, OKAY?
>> Joy: YOU'RE ART IMITATING
LIFE IS WHAT YOU'RE DOING BUT
RIFE RIGHT NOW IN A COURTROOM IS
GETTING A LITTLE SCARY.
LET'S TAKE THE SUPREME COURT
RIGHT NOW.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ISSUES WITH
THEM.
THERE ARE SOME SCANDALS PLAGUING
THE SUPREME COURT.
DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT
OR WRITE A BOOK --
>> I WROTE "THE PELICAN BRIEF."
>> Sara: YES.
>> Sunny: YOU SURE DID.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> Joy: YEP.
>>?
WHICH TWO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
WERE ASSASSINATED.
>> Joy: I KNOW.
>> AND I THOUGHT ABOUT DOING IT
AGAIN.
>> Joy: NO.
>> WRITING THE BOOK.
>> Whoopi: HE'S TALKING ABOUT
WRITING PART 2.
>> IT'S ALL FICTION.
IT'S ALL FICTION.
DON'T GET UPSET.
>> Joy: IT'S JUST FICTION.
IT'S MADE UP STORIES.
>> THE COURT HAS NEVER LOOKED
THIS BAD.
>> Joy: NO.
>> IN MY LIFETIME.
SOME OF THE RULINGS, THE ETHICAL
CHALLENGES, THE -- IT WENT
DOWNHILL IN 2000 WHEN FIVE
REPUBLICANS ON THE COURT CHOSE
TO ELECT A PRESIDENT.
THAT WAS THE MOST POLITICAL BUSH
VERSUS GORE AND THAT'S WHEN IT
ALL STARTED GOING DOWNHILL.
>> Joy: I AGREE WITH THAT.
>> THE 5-4 DECISION AND THE
COURT GETS WORSE EVERY TERM.
>> Sunny: WOW.
>> SO I HAVE NO SOLUTION BECAUSE
YOU CAN'T GET RID OF THEM.
THE SOLUTION IS MAKE THEM ALL
RETIRE AT THE AGE OF 75.
EVERY FEDERAL JUDGE SHOULD HAVE
TO RETIRE AT THE AGE OF 75.
>> Joy: HOW ABOUT -- THE
PRESIDENT GETS TERM LIMITS.
WHY DO THEY HAVE --
WONDER WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
>> Alyssa: I DID WANT TO ASK
ABOUT THE BOOK.
>> NOT POLITICS.
>> Alyssa: ALSO A BEAUTIFUL
TRIBUTE TO INDEPENDENT BOOK
STORES WHICH YOU SPENT SO MUCH
OF YOUR CAREER TRAVELING,
VISITING AND HEARD FROM A LITTLE
BIRDIE, SOME OF THESE BOOK
SIGNINGS WOULD GET SO INTENSE
YOU'D HAVE A ICE BUCKET THERE
BECAUSE YOUR HAND WOULD START TO
HURT.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT AT?
>> BACK WHEN WE WERE STUPID,
BACK IN THE EARLY DAYS, WE WERE
BLINDSIDED WITH THE FIRM, THE
PELICAN BRIEF, THE FIRST WAVE OF
BOOKS, THE SIGNINGS WOULD GO ON
FOR 10 TO 15 HOURS.
>> Sunny: OH, MY GOSH.
>> AND REALIZED PEOPLE WOULD
WAIT IN LINE -- I WOULDN'T WAIT
30 MINUTES TO MEET MARK TWAIN
BUT PEOPLE, LOYAL FANS AND I
JUST COULDN'T DO IT FOR MORE
THAN 10 OR 12 HOURS.
I USED ICE BUCKETS, ICE PACKS,
HAD A MASSEUSE AND SAID, THIS IS
NO FUN.
WE'RE JUST NOT HAVING ANY FUN SO
I HAD TO STOP DOING IT THAT WAY.
I STILL SIGN A LOT OF BOOKS
EVERY YEAR BUT NOT THE
MARATHONS.
IT WAS FLATTERING TO A POINT.
WE HAD A LOT OF HUMOR, A LOT OF
GOOD TIMES BUT I DON'T MISS
THOSE DAYS.
>> Alyssa: I'D RATHER YOU FOCUS
ON WRITING.
>> Joy: SO MUCH TO WRITE ABOUT
RIGHT NOW.
>> Whoopi: THERE IS AND IF
ANYBODY CAN DO IT AND MAKE IT
UNDERSTANDABLE, IT'S YOU AND
THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I
THINK PEOPLE LOVE YOUR BOOKS
BECAUSE YOU DON'T TALK DOWN TO
PEOPLE.
YOU KNOW, EVEN YOU'RE TALKING
ABOUT THE LAW, YOU'RE TALKING
ABOUT ALL THESE THINGS THAT
ALWAYS SEEM TO BE OUT OF OUR
REACH.
YOU MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE AND
THAT'S WHY WE LOVE YOU.
>> Joy: THAT'S RIGHT.
>> Whoopi: SO OUR THANKS TO YOU
JOHN GRISHAM.
THE NEW BOOK, "CAMINO GHOSTS" IS
OUT KNOW SO DON'T START CLAPPING
TILL I'M DONE, OKAY?
EVERYONE IN THE STUDIO AUDIENCE
IS GOING HOME WITH A COPY.
WAIT, WAIT, NO.
[ APPLAUSE ]
DID I NOT SAY DON'T DO THAT?
[ LAUGHTER ]
BECAUSE YOU'RE ALSO GETTING
Voir Plus de Vidéos Connexes
Les confidences d'un passionné avec André-Carl Vachon
Arthur C. Clarke & Roger Ebert Chat About Artificial Intelligence
Architect Michael Graves interview (2001)
Edward P. Jones talks about "The Known World" and his Washington, D.C., short stories
Isaac Asimov's Vision Of The Future | Letterman
The Interview Class 12 animation in English
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)