Playing for Pizza by John Grisham

Author: John Grisham
Publisher: Dell
ISBN: 0440244714
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54

Product Description

Rick Dockery was the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the AFC Championship game, to the surprise and dismay of virtually everyone, Rick actually got into the game. With a 17-point lead and just minutes to go, Rick provided what was arguably the worst single performance in the history of the NFL. Overnight, he became a national laughingstock—and was immediately cut by the Browns and shunned by all other teams. But all Rick knows is football, and he insists that his agent find a team that needs him. Against enormous odds, Rick finally gets a job—as the starting quarterback for the Mighty Panthers . . . of Parma, Italy. The Parma Panthers desperately want a former NFL player—any former NFL player—at their helm. And now they’ve got Rick, who knows nothing about Parma (not even where it is) and doesn’t speak a word of Italian. To say that Italy—the land of fine wines, extremely small cars, and football americano—holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement. . . .

Review

I'm sure that many hardcore Grisham fans will not see this as one of Grisham's best books -- and they will be right, but I really liked this book. Yes -- it is true that the characters aren't as well crafted as many of his others are, but then these are really likeable people. Rick Dockery is just like the jocks you know -- a big goofy guy who isn't too deep but then he has a sense of honor and openness that makes it hard not to like him. He likes to play football and that is really all he knows so he is willing to play for peanuts -- not really Pizza but not much more. It is a wonderful trip watching him develop from the aging frat boy into a real man who finally sees himself and others as they truly are. I particularly liked his discovery of Opera, because it was similar to my own. I even sympathized with his view of all of those historical churches and cobblestones -- like him I loved Italy but there are more churches and cobblestones than I care to see. His girl friend is a little enigmatic but then she really drives him to a more mature view of himself and others. Grisham also captures the feel of Italy and the Italian attitudes better than any book I have ever read. The Italians have a view of life that is hard to beat and Grisham really captures that feel in this book and it is that Italian view of life that eventually captures Rick as well.

There is really only one bad guy in the book and he isn't all that bad -- he is more like pain in the neck and Rick deals with him very effectively and precisely like you would expect someone like Rick to deal with a pain in the neck -- as I said Rick is not deep or devious. I liked this book and highly recommend it even though it is a little fluffy compared to other Grisham works. If you want to read a feel good book -- buy this one. I would love to see the movie.

More helpful review

Those who read this book thinking it's another typical Grisham novel will be sorely disappointed, but for those of us who rely on an author's writing skills and storytelling rather than pigeon-holing him into one genre will get a kick out of this heart-warming football story.

Playing for Pizza takes the reader on a journey of personal growth and a true love of football. The main character, Rick Dockery, a third-string hack of a pro football player, begins the book in the most humiliating circumstances possible for a pro football quarterback. He loses the AFC Championship game in two bad throws when his team had a 17-point lead, and he's completely drubbed out of the pros. His adventures really begin when he goes to play for an Italian team.

I really enjoyed watching a down-and-out character drag himself up in the most unlikely circumstances, and his re-discovery of football and the meaning of the game makes for a lighthearted and entertaining read.

So, if you're looking for a legal treatise or some deep insight into the meaning of life, steer away from this book. If you're looking for an entertaining, well-written story, definitely pick up a copy of Playing for Pizza.

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