Playing for Pizza

by dpurvis on Jan 12, 2008 11:04 AM MST Comment 7 comments

I recently finished a book my brother had bought me for Christmas. This is a short novel by John Grisham, that deviates from his normal style of novel.

The story revolves around a fictional third string quarterback, who plays for the Cleveland Browns, and is forced into action in a fictional AFC title game against the Denver Broncos. The story starts out with him in the hospital after the game, and his agent trying to get him a new job somewhere. Unfortunately, after a disaster in that AFC title game, no team is willing to touch him. Eventually, his agent gets him a job in an Italian football league, playing for the Parma Panthers.

The story is about his season in Italy, adjusting to the move, and trying to get his team adjusted to him. It's a great novel, that was fun to read. While the Broncos are only in the novel for background, I'd still recommend it.

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Sounds good!

Grisham also wrote a short novel (I can't remember the title but someone will) about a former HS QB that returns to his old town. You can see the ending coming from a mile away, but it is a good book for fans of the game too.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Jan 12, 2008 12:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Bleachers

I think the book you are talking about is Bleechers. Was it about a coach who dies and former players come back and reflect on their lives?

If so, it's probably Bleachers you are thinking about. Not a bad book, but Playing for Pizza was much better. Then again, I'm Italian, and played football at the HS and College level. So it covers two of my loves.

by dpurvis on Jan 12, 2008 1:04 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

That was it.

And while I'm not Italian, I love the culture and art of Italy. I'm pretty sure I'll get around to reading it this year.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Jan 12, 2008 1:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

If you're looking for football novels...

I've heard The Blind Side by Michael Lewis is also really good. I haven't read it, but I know some people who have and they really liked it. Good story with football as the centerpiece, as far as I can tell.

http://www.notthisday.com

by Squeaky on Jan 12, 2008 5:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs