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Playing for Pizza
by: John Grisham

Amazon.com's Price: $7.99

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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780440244714
ISBN: 0440244714
Label: Dell
Manufacturer: Dell
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 320
Publication Date: July 22, 2008
Publisher: Dell
Release Date: July 22, 2008
Sales Rank: 1096
Studio: Dell

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Editorial Review:

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. . . .

Amazon.com Review:
Playing for Pizza: A Q&A with John Grisham

Q: American football in Italy seems like an unlikely subject for a John Grisham novel. What was the inspiration for Playing for Pizza?

A: Three years ago when I was in Bologna researching 'The Broker', I discovered American football. One of my guides in the area played football for the Bologna Warriors for 10 years. I couldn't believe that American football actually existed there, but the more I heard about it the more intrigued I became.

Q: There is some great football writing in this novel. What kind of research was involved in capturing how this American institution is played in small town Italy?

A: The only way to research the book was to go to Parma and watch a game. The coach is an American who played at Illinois State, and he proved to be extremely valuable. I met many of the Italian players and the story simply unfolded.

Q: Speaking of research, you write lovingly of Italian food and wine in this book. What's your idea of the perfect Italian meal?

A: First course: prosicutto and melon; second course: stuffed tortellini; third course: roasted stuffed capon, all served with a great Barolo wine.

Q: Without giving away too much of the plot, your protagonist falls in love by the novel's end. Did you know when you started writing that Rick would get the girl?

A: Of course.

Q: You have a new legal thriller coming in January 2008. Can you give us any hints about what to expect?

A: I really don't like to talk about a book until it's finished. Sorry. But it will not be another work of non-fiction, nor will it be about football. Lots of lawyers in the next one.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME
If John Grisham hadn't written this book, the author would have certainly been laughed out of the publishers' meeting. Playing for Pizza reads as if it were written in a week by an amateur. No depth, no real conflict/resolution, and certainly no suspense. As for the games, the first halves of each are described vividly, but we get none of the same for the second half; just a rundown of a couple plays and the final score. The ending of the last game was predictable, boring and too "Disney." At least it's a quick read, and a football novice can read it without too much trouble following. Very disappointing.

Rating:

- strong start, gives up in 2nd half
It starts out interesting with tantalizing details of Italian food and culture and a flirtation with an exotic opera singer. But when Rick picks up an American girlfriend, the book comes to an abrupt end. After that we get dry listings of the couple's tours and sexcapades. It seems Grisham lost interest at this point (like the reader) and just finished out the predictable sports story.

Rating:

- Playing for Pizza
Not your normal Grisham novel.

What a name for a book? Actually, the name says it all.

Rick Dockery is a 3rd string NFL quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are winning 20-0 when the top two quarterbacks are injured leaving Dockery to play the game. He frets and the Browns lose the game. Dockery is hated in Cleveland and laughed at. His agent finds a team that might actually want him, the Parma Panthers in Italy. The Panthers play for the love of the game and the pizza and beer afterwards.

This novel is very entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and learned a lot about Italian food. Great plot and better than the normal lawyer novels. Glad to see Grisham coming out of the box.

Rating:

- made me want to be there
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story contains some vivid and evocative images to life in Italy for an American ex NFL'er trying to get a grip on his life. The fun, food and football and of course drinking are wonderfully described by John Grisham. I really felt like I knew each of these characters by the time the book was finished. More than once the episodes and encounters of the american ex-pat and his teammates brought a smile to my face.

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