12 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, April 30, 2001 House' of m:th: Grisham strikes back with new sty By Ryan Blay Daily Arts Writer As I was reading John Grisham's latest novel, "A Painted House," a friend of mine asked me what the book was about. I had just started it, so I vaguely told him it was ;.:t about a young boy growing up A Painted on a southern House farm during the John Grisham 1950s. Grade: A- My friend then Doubleday Books asked the obvi- A' ous question: "Does the boy grow up to be a lawyer fighting against an evil corporation?" Thankfully, the answer is "no." Narrator Luke Chandler spins the story much like Huckleberry Finn. The seven-year-old lives on his fami- ly's cotton farm in Arkansas during an eventful 1952. Caughtfbetween childish inno- cence and the troubles of adoles- cence, Luke must pick his share of cotton to maintain the struggling farm, keep some very high-stakes secrets and practice catching fly balls so he can eventually become a St. Louis Cardinal. September means picking season, and the Chandlers - Luke, his par- ents and his grandparents - recruit Mexican laborers and "hill people" from the Ozarks to assist in the pick- ing. A bad crop could ruin the Chandlers, but a good crop could provide them with enough money to pay outstanding loans on the farm. Grisham's best trick may be in the way he addresses racial and class ten- sions during that period of time. For example, Luke's grandmother is one rare individual who actually treats the Mexican farmhands with respect. The sharecropping hill people, the Spruills, are poorer than most of the land renters, but even they still have prejudices against the Chandlers. "Why don't you sodbusters paint your houses?" big Hank asks Luke. Paint isn't the only status symbol in the book. Television, telephones and cars also serve as reminders that the '50s are ushering in a new era for America, even in the most rural por- tions of the South. Hank's mother wants to move north and ensure Luke'saescape from the frustrating life of a farmer. As long as Luke gets to join Stan Musial and his Cardinals, he'll be content. But concerns of all sorts pose a threat to Luke's happy dreams. Hank Spruill has the unfortunate habit of killing people. If arrested, all of the Spruills would leave and the cotton can't be picked. The Chandlers' neighbors also have issues. Among the worst of them, Luke's best friend and 19-year- old uncle Ricky is fighting in Korea, with letters few and far between. This isn't to say Luke has it all bad. He still gets to go to the movies every weekend. And Hank's sister 17-year-old Tally, takes a shine to him and lets him watch her bathe. But with the Cardinals falling behind in the National League pennant chase, hushed whispers of money troubles, and secrets swirling, Hank's life is turbulent. It's hard not to love a boy who makes remarks such as "He [Pappy, Hank's grandfather] didn't like the Jordans because they were Methodists - and Cubs fans." Another gem: "... Satan was wait- ing with the likes of Hitler and Judas Iscariot and General Grant," reminds this Yankee reader where and when this story is set. As a Baptist, Luke makes very incisive yet innocent remarks about his church and the rival Methodists. He also reveals his crush on Tally through his innocence. Trying to keep pace with all of the scandals and action, while the Chandlers try and beat both nature and the river to secure their crop, is a rewarding challenge. Grisham should be applauded not just for trying a new style, but also for succeeding where many would fall flat. Making a town come to life during a church service or a town baseball game, Grisham, through Luke, relates a charming story. 'Metal Gear Solid 2' demo shows the future of PS2 gami wM wis - v, x ° . ~ F Sticking Around this Summer? Make Easy Money with FLEXIBLE HOURS a Michigan Telefund $7 per hour + bonuses 611 Church, 4th floor 998-7420 Apply On-line! www.telefund.umich.edu By Matt Grandstaff Daily Arts Writer In Hideo Kojima's latest game, "Zone of the Enders," gainers take the role of Leo Stenbuck, who fights off evil by commanding mechanized robots. The game features great graphics, dull gameplay ... yada yada yada. The real reason gainers pick up "Zone of the Enders" is to get a hint of what the biggest game of the year will be like, Metal Gear "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty." S olid 2: The good news is that this game is Demo going to rock. For Playstation 2 The demo begins with a 10-minute Grade: A movie showing our mullet-powered, stealth agent, Solid Snake, enjoying a Konami smoke as he walks down the George Washington Bridge. From here Snake pulls a 007 move as he puts on a stealth suit, bungy jumps off the bridge and lands on a freighter. Usine his Codec communicator, Snake learns of the newest Metal Gear (for those video game players that just awoke from a coma, these machines are capable of destroying the entire world ... oooo), and must make sure that it does not get into the wrong hands. As for the rest of story, it is not worth spoil- ing. In the final version of the game, fans of the series can expect more side stories and plot twists. Unfortunately, the final version of the game will not be released until October 15. The most impressive aspect of "Metal Gear Solid 2" is the game's jaw-dropping visuals and incredible atmos- pheres. Taking place in the middle of a storm, water flows naturally, raindrops appear to hit the screen and the omi- nous thunder will make you want to check the Weather Channel. You might also want to check your pants because intense moments in the gameplay might make you drop a load in your jeans. Loyal to the style of its successor, "Sons of Liberty" it features all the suspense of being chased down by special agents. Fortunately, director Kojima did not make this game a rehash of the original. The game features many new tricks, including lunging like a bowling ba enemies, hanging from rails and the ability to ft posters of bikini-clad women (yes really!). While these new elements are impressive, the i notable change to the game is the first-person m Gainers now have the ability to switch from over-th- angles to a first-person perspective. This addition s cially helpful in intense shootouts. Also from this pers tive, one has the ability to peer through lockers and c board boxes, threaten enemies by aiming between the (or between the balls) and even shoot gun radios fron opponents' hands. Overall, "Metal Gear Solid 2" looks to be the f video game ever put together. With an amazing story unprecedented visuals, humor and much more, it l be the benchmark for games of the future. With the lasting about 45 minutes without skipping story elem gainers will have something to help prepare themselve the actual game launch seven months from now. And m you are it, go ahead and try "Zone of the Enders," it's ty good. wui cay vi Aim for the balls... they're just mechanized robotsl $$$$$$$$$$$$$ $ S S ~S 5S ~~~ Aim for the baiis..they're just mechanized robots!