Bleachers

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: John Grisham

Length: 4 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

High school all-American Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have gone by since those glory days, and Neely has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake, the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty.

Now, as Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach - and himself - before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high.

©2003 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2003 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Grisham]'s a sure-footed story-teller with an undeniable mastery of plotting, pacing and tone." (The New York Times Book Review)

Best book on two levels

I found this book very entertainingly on both a football and life level. A real good read or listen.

Engrossing story

I don't like sports. I don't like football, especially. I think people who are "stuck" in their high school or college years are silly and immature. BUT......it doesn't matter here. The story isn't just about football or sports or guys revisiting their youth. It's much more than that and the story of how one single man could influence the lives of so many was mesmerizing. Another wonderful story from John Grisham. The only negative was the narrator....John himself. He should leave the reading of the story up to a professional reader...one who can act, more or less. John reads in a very monotone like style and it made telling who was "speaking" in the story very difficult to figure out and it tended to tone down the emotion of the story too much. But a good story inspite of the reader.

Great football book.

Probably not for everyone, but if you played high school football, especially in the south, it's a must read. I could relate to so much of this book. The description of Coach Raike and his methods took me back to my playing days in the 1970s and my old Coach. The character of Coach Raike could've been based on my old Coach, minus some of the dramatic elements. The players feelings about their Coach, as players and then after they'd gone on in life, mirrored my own, as well as many of my old teammates. It was uncanny, but then again maybe all old players feel the same nostalgia about their playing days and their Coach.

The author's reading of the text could've done with a little more excitement. He was a bit flat. it was as if he were reading a stock prospectus and was bored with it. But it was ok.

Sounds like one of my high school coaches!!

Great short story only 4hrs it's a great book that has you from start to finish.The Bleachers take you back on a ride through highschool,all the games,girls,coaches,teachers and people that ment a lot to the school and you.John Grisham reads and wrote this book, he steps away from the usual John Griham story and he does a great job..The Bleachers is about a couple football players and a couple stars on the football team and their great coach.Over thirty years of a great highschool football program..Then thay get old and coach dies,they all come back and relive their past and remember coach.. great book try it out...

Wasn't expected to like it!!

Just decided to read a short book on the beach. Wasn't prepared to love it. Lots of thoughts about life's highs and lows

another story about an out if control Texas high

it another story told about an outrageous Texas HS football coach but thos one was told in a different point and was a goos listen

Always liked John’s books!

I was not impressed with this one though.
Just did not have the same quality to me.

I played high school football

if you played, you will love this read!! Sit back and enjoy it's quite a ride

Sports fan

I'm no sports fan, so I was dubious about choosing this title, but am heartily glad I did. John Grisham has proven once again, that he can write more than thrillers. And this time he also proved himself to be a superb reader! This book delved into the hearts of the people involved, fleshing them out in a planned and well timed narrative. While I did not understand the plays, etc in Cristil's portion, making the story lag for me, I definitely can understand why it was employed - a very good tool, much like Meatloaf's 'Paradise by the Dashboard Lights'. Great job! I'm sure sports fans would have given it a 5.

Strong Story

This book, one of Grisham?s best, uses just the right amount of mystery to recount a story in which the reader truly cares about and relates to the characters. Although I never played high school football, this book brought back plenty of nostalgia from my high school years. It allowed me recall several teachers and coaches whose encouragement & empowerment have helped shape me over the past decade. I would especially recommend this book to anyone who grew up in a one high school town where everyone rallied around the athletic events.