Playing for Pizza

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Christopher Evan Welch

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

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: for 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 he 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 holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement.

©2007 Belfrey Holdings Inc (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Go for it!

This is only my second Grisham book. I’m hooked. “Pizza” is much more than football book It touches all the bases(sports pun not intended). The story was compelling and the reading top-notch. Trust me on this one...go for it!

Playing for pizza

Story was unusual for Grisham. It was fast paced and the narrator made you feel the pain, wonder, and peppered with sexy moments. The southern accent was a bit off.

A Pleasant Listen

I enjoy football and traveling to Italy so this book was perfect for me. The book is not going to win any awards. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it entertaining. I recommend it.

Great light hearted read

This was a great story that was light hearted and engaging. I enjoyed every minute of this book.

Fun read

This attempt by Grisham to move from suspense is good by not his best. It is enjoyable but perdictable.

Enjoyable

This book is a slow beginning but picks up a little later on. The book itself didn't capture my interest as I thought it would.

For the third time

I read this story a number of years ago then re-read it a year or so after. I liked it so well I downloaded it here. Grisham is a great storyteller.

A Nice Diversion

Having spent time in Italy & having observed the passion of the Italian people, I appreciate Grisham's appraisal of the players love of the game. The childlike desire to fully engage for nothing more than beer & pizza should be the mantra for all professional athletes. However, the need to exceed the trivial trophies for more tangible rewards has driven the sports world into a business & not just sport.

Not a bad light read

I got it on Audible for my long commute to work. it served the job well. I thought it was light and entertaining and didn't require too much attention and thought. I will admit I could have easily skipped the never - ending descriptions of food and architecture. the authors obsession, love affair, with all things Italy is quite apparent.

Unlike other reviewers, I liked the main character.

Love foot. Love Grisham!

I was quite surprised at how much I loved this story. Full confession - I have bought Grisham books, always hardcover so I can read them over and over, for the legal suspense and entanglement they offer. When he unravels it, it’s like a tall, icy glass of water on a hot day.

So I was very surprised at how quickly I became engaged with this quarterback and his Parma team. It was so descriptive and well written that I’m planning an eating tour to Parma (well, in my mind anyway.)

I fell for Rick right away. But the development of the other characters actually made me fall for them too; with the exception of the sports writer, which I think was the point!

Don’t be afraid to switch this book on with a bottle of wine and some good eats. It’s totally worth it; football fan or not.

Thanks John, I’m not easily surprised.