Playing for Pizza

I was really looking forward to this book for several reasons. First of all, I'm a big fan of John Grisham (or I was, at any rate) and secondly I would read anything about Italy. But boy was I disappointed. The story is basically about an American footballer who is dropped by his team after a disastrous performance in a crucial game. His agent finds him a position on a team in Italy, where American football is an emerging, but still minority, sport. So far, so good, but it seems to me that Grisham didn't really know what he wanted the story to be. It's part sports writing (which will be incomprehensible to anyone without a good knowlegde of American football), part love story (blecch, Grisham can't write a love story to save his life) and part travelogue. These parts just don't gel. All in all, it's lazy writing and one to avoid.

I'd play for pizza! (2/2 people found this helpful)

As with the other reviews this isn't your typical John Grisham book. Yet, I thoroughly enjoyed it. So much I was disappointed when I had finished reading it! The idea of this book is based upon a washed up American footballer,giving his career a go in Italy. However, this doesn't mean you have to be interested in American Football to like it. Grisham, sets the scenes brilliantly, and makes you think you are actually in Parma, and want to be Italian. It really gives you a feel for what living in another culture is like,, the American Football is there because it's something that is an unusual and unexpected thing in this part of the world! Great stuff, a good change from the court room battles of previous novels.

Mr Grisham should be ashamed of himself! (1/1 people found this helpful)

Until now i was a huge fan of John Grisham, now I will never buy any new novels from him. It appears he has a contract to write a novel and just can't really be bothered. Possibly as a result of writing The Broker he realised it is much easier to write a travel book instead of a thriller. so once again we have interminable descriptions of Italian cuisine, architecture, culture and customs (much of it I think just cut&pasted from The Broker). At least with that novel you had a reasonably interesting plot but this one! American Football played in Italy! Yawn! Yawn Yawn! I kept reading because a) I was on a plane and all i had to read and b)I kept hoping it would get better. IT DIDN'T! I think i will write to Mr G and ask for my £11.99 back.

Way off the mark (1/1 people found this helpful)

I bought this as a long term fan of Grisham's page-turning novels. However, I had to force myself to finish it as it is dull, dull, dull. In addition, if you don't know anything about american football (which is not a very good game in the first place) you will be bewildered even more by the non-plot, tortuous characterisations, terminology, game blow-by-blows and the thought of starting such a game in a big way in Italy - in competition with soccer!

I can't imagine why the book was written in the first place and I would expect that, if it has any fans at all, they will be in the USA

Sorry that I can't find a single positive word to say. Even the romantic element was clumsy and spiritless.

Grahame

Boring boring boring boring (2/2 people found this helpful)

not enough space on the subject heading to add more

THis has to have been the most boring and mindless peice of tosh he has churned out todate

Normally Im reading his books front to back in a few days, this took a week or more to force myself to read. No I lie, I actually missed out huge chunks of the book, Im sure to US Football fans this might be a readable book.

Personally Im dithering over buying his next one.

I really didnt want to give a star it wasnt worth it. Save your money and borrow it from the library.

John Grisham

Reader Reviews:

Very disappointing (0/0 people found this helpful)

I'd play for pizza! (2/2 people found this helpful)

Mr Grisham should be ashamed of himself! (1/1 people found this helpful)

Way off the mark (1/1 people found this helpful)

Boring boring boring boring (2/2 people found this helpful)

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