Not really sure how I felt about this book. It was a very fast read. Definitely do not read if you do not like football. Only thing coming to my mind is ....eh

This is the shortest John Grisham book I've read yet, and it is by far the WORST!

I'm shocked that this book exists in his bibliography when I've read 15 other John Grisham books, all of which I have loved or at least liked. This book though, was a tremendous misstep in so many ways, I'm shocked the publisher let him get away with it. I believe that the only reason the publisher agreed (and the only reason that the book became a #1 New York Times Bestseller), is that it was written by John Grisham, and the fact that he wrote it was enough for them.

The book has two competing factors that make it difficult to reveiw. It has some of the most incredible themes that it tackles beautifully. It also has some of the most boring story I've ever read, so it feels so disjointed. I seriously would give the themes like an 8 out of 10, while I would give the story like a 2 out of 10.

The story...doesn't really exist. The first half of the book is just the main character (Neely Crenshaw) reliving his glory days from high school when revisiting his hometown when his old coach is on his death bed. The end of the book has a small semblance of a plot, but even then its paper thin and really wasn't even a great plot. If this idea had been condensed into a 50 page short story/novella, it might have been worth it in a collection like "Ford County". However, at 200 pages (and large print), it still meanders for too long and feels like Grisham just wanted to write about Football. At least Playing for Pizza was about football and had a compelling story! This just feels like a string of memories tied together by the idea that the main character needs to move on from his hayday and needs closure from the people he hurt...including his coach.

The themes about forgiveness and moving on were touching, and the themes about putting too much focus on Football and fame and Sex was also excellently handled. But there was still some room for improvement, and those themes don't work as well as they should because the story is so boring.

Overall, I'm very angry and frustrated at the development of this book, and it pains me to give such a low rating to one of my favorite authors. But this book gets a 3 out of 10. Yikes!

Ainda estou tentando entender como um livro de 186 páginas de conversas entre jogadores de futebol americano me prendeu tanto rsrs
Mas é o Grisham, né?

Claro que o livro é mais do que futebol americano. É como se Salomão estivesse personificado em jogadores que tiveram todo o holofote e sucesso. Estou vendo Eclesiastes em tudo? Com que frequência? O tempo todo!
Como não?

Tudo é vaidade, fumaça... correr atrás da bola.
Digo, vento.

Memorable Quotes

"If you’re winnin’, never quit. If you’re losin’, never quit. If you’re hurt, never quit."

"A long cancerous draw on the cigarette..."

A High school football star comes back to his hometown to bid farewell to his dying coach. The book is about group of friends reminiscing the glory days of playing together and their relationship with their coach.
n  Word of caution n : The book is centered around American football and their recollections of their memorable games (incl a long play by play commentary of 1 particular game). So if you have no idea about the game, you will find it annoying after a point.
Sadly,the relationship between the coach and the players and the players themselves is never fully explored and the emotional ending at the end feels totally flat. Overall 2/5

Ok this book touched me in the depths of my heart. Bleachers is a novel that reminded me of my high school years when I used to play soccer with my best friends. I treasure those years in the bottom of my heart and I will never forget them. This book made me remember old loves, friendships, rivalries, etc. Memories that will live in me forever.

This one won’t be for everyone but i loved it. It’s basically a short story about several past high school football players who come back to their hometown when they find out their coach is about to pass away. So much of the story is simply the former players sitting around remembering stories of their former coach. This is a dialogue heavy story and Grisham seems to do that well. Very quick read, under 200 pages. Highly recommended.

It took me awhile to get into the story, but once I did I enjoyed it.

I've had this book for a long time, probably since it was released in 2003. I knew it was about football and didn't expect it to be fast-paced or action-packed. It's not a John Grisham thriller, for sure. Overall, it's a nice story. Kind of dark, maybe a bit anticlimactic. But at the same time, it has a nice message that anybody who has ever played youth sports should be able to understand.

This is not the type of book that I normally read, however I did enjoy it quite well. It's a story of reminiscing and not being to let go of the past. I do think the reader must have a love for the game of American football to truly enjoy this book.

Good story even though I am not a football fan.

Another great book by Grisham.