Sooley

Sooley, first published in 2021, stands as a sports novel and piece of historical fiction by American writer John Grisham. Similar to many of his other works, Sooley achieved acclaim as a New York Times Best Seller.

By 2023, Grisham had penned over 50 novels, predominantly in the legal thriller realm. Sooley diverges from his usual territory, delving into the narrative of Samuel Sooleymon, a young man from South Sudan striving to realize his dream of playing in the NBA amidst the backdrop of civil unrest.

The story toggles between Samuel's journey in America and his mother's plight in a Ugandan refugee camp, shedding light on global disparities and the challenges faced by refugees, along with the perilous ramifications of sudden fame and fortune. The reference pertains to the 2021 DoubleDay eBook edition.

Content Warning: Sooley contains themes of drug overdose, racial stereotypes, and brief depictions of war and violence.

Originally hailing from the rural village of Lotta in South Sudan, Samuel Sooleymon emerges as a standout basketball player, earning a chance to try out for the under-18 national team bound for America.