52 pages 1 hour read

John Grisham

Sooley

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Character Analysis

Samuel Sooleymon

Samuel Sooleymon is the tragic protagonist of the novel. Grisham’s plot-forward writing style leaves him a somewhat shallow character, even at the time of his death, but he is relentlessly hard-working and positive. Under the guidance of various mentors, Samuel travels from the known world of Lotta and South Sudan to the unknown world of America to try to make his fortune and find his place in the world. He sets out with three goals in mind: better outcomes for South Sudan, success in basketball, and safety for himself and his family. However, instead of ending on a triumphant, heroic note, Samuel reaches the apex of fame and fortune only to die suddenly at a festival mere days after being drafted to the NBA.

Much of Samuel’s story is also framed as a fish-out-of-water narrative. First, he goes to Juba and is awestruck by the sheer size and business of the city compared to his rural village. Next, he must adjust to life in America without his family and, later, learn to live with the attention that comes with fame. This journey to find a new home and sense of belonging is mirrored on the court.

Related Titles

By John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

A Painted House

John Grisham

A Painted House

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

A Time For Mercy

John Grisham

A Time For Mercy

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

A Time to Kill

John Grisham

A Time to Kill

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

Camino Island

John Grisham

Camino Island

John Grisham

Plot Summary

logo

Gray Mountain

John Grisham

Gray Mountain

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

Playing For Pizza

John Grisham

Playing For Pizza

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

Skipping Christmas

John Grisham

Skipping Christmas

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

Sparring Partners

John Grisham

Sparring Partners

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

Sycamore Row

John Grisham

Sycamore Row

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

The Boys from Biloxi

John Grisham

The Boys from Biloxi

John Grisham

Plot Summary

logo

The Brethren

John Grisham

The Brethren

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

The Client

John Grisham

The Client

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

The Confession

John Grisham

The Confession

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

The Guardians

John Grisham

The Guardians

John Grisham

Study Guide

logo

The Innocent Man

John Grisham

The Innocent Man

John Grisham