Playing For Pizza: A Novel | John Grisham | This Book Should be Savored

Playing For Pizza: A Novel | John Grisham | While not the usual, it was enjoyable nonetheless

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Playing For Pizza:...

	Playing For Pizza: A Novel John Grisham Doubleday, 2007 - 272 pages average customer review:based on 269 reviews view larger image
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Rick Dockery was the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the AFC Championship game against Denver, 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, of course, was immediately cut by the Browns and shunned by all other teams.

But all Rick knows is football, and he insists that his agent, Arnie, find a team that needs him. Against enormous odds Arnie finally locates just such a team and informs Rick that, miraculously, he can in fact now be a starting quarterback. Great, says Rick?for which team?

The mighty Panthers of Parma, Italy.

Yes, Italians do play American football, to one degree or another, and the Parma Panthers desperately want a former NFL player?any former NFL player?at their helm. So Rick reluctantly agrees to play for the Panthers?at least until a better offer comes along?and heads off to Italy. He knows nothing about Parma?not even where it is?has never been to Europe, and doesn?t speak or understand a word of Italian.

To say that Italy?the land of opera, fine wines, extremely small cars, romance, and Football Americano? holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement.

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This Book Should be Savored

The main story in this book is interesting and enjoyable, but the best part of this book is that most of the chapters are self contained stories about various parts of Italian culture such as food, opera, or history. The reader feels the excitement and fear associated with foreign travel such as driving, food ordering, dealing with local police etc. I fell in love with many of the Italian Football players and actually felt some of the passion for the game and life that they experience.

While not the usual, it was enjoyable nonetheless

John Grisham is a talented writer who, even after becoming very predictable, can still tell stories in a manner that quickly captivates the reader. This book is quite a different approach altogether though from his usual lawyer formula. While I kept waiting for something to happen that never happens, I did very much enjoy the wait.

The story opens with the most unlikely of main characters, an NFL third string quarterback who after just having lost the Championship for the Cleveland Browns by throwing three interceptions in the fourth quarter, awakens in a hospital room with a concussion. He quickly learns that the entire city is calling for his head, and he is promptly cut by the team, and out of work. His agent is trying to find his next opportunity and the only one he can find is with an Italian Football team in Parma, Italy.

The remainder of the book is about how the main character adapts to life in Italy and slowly develops at least something of a sense of meaning in his life outside of self interest and doing as little as he can to get by.

The story itself doesn't really have a lot of surprises, and certainly the only mystery is in the expectations I had that there would actually be one. That said, I really enjoyed the book. It has a light breezy feel making it perfect for a lazy summer afternoon of reading. I read the book sitting next to the pool one quick afternoon, and to be honest was disappointed that it ended.

So, if you are looking for a tight suspenseful Grisham formula, you will not find it here. If you want to get a little taste of Italy and the fall and rise of an anti-hero of sorts, then you will enjoy this book as I did. I would agree with other reviewers who said it was basically young adult level, and in fact it reminded me of books I read as a kid. While that may be true I think most of us enjoyed those books and likely enjoyed this one as well, and isn't that the point?

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Actually Italy is very much like this

Being Italian and living in Italy, I was a bit opionionated about the possible clichés this book may contain.

I was proved wrong enough: it's an enjoyable although a bit flimsy tale set in a realistic nowadays Parma. Italy is very much like this, and I like the portrait Grisham offers of our country and ways. The protagonist, albeit inarticulate at times, is sweetly human and vital in his ability to adapt to the new contest.

Good work, I loved it!

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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