BKMT READING GUIDES



 
Fun,
Optimistic,
Interesting

3 reviews

Playing for Pizza: A Novel
by John Grisham

Published: 2012-01-31
Mass Market Paperback : 320 pages
1 member reading this now
6 clubs reading this now
6 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 3 members

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Rick Dockery is the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the AFC Championship game, to the surprise and dismay of virtually everyone, Rick actually gets into the game. With a seventeen-point lead and just minutes to go, Rick provides what is ...

No other editions available.
Add to Club Selections
Add to Possible Club Selections
Add to My Personal Queue
Jump to

Introduction

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Rick Dockery is the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the AFC Championship game, to the surprise and dismay of virtually everyone, Rick actually gets into the game. With a seventeen-point lead and just minutes to go, Rick provides what is arguably the worst single performance in the history of the NFL. Overnight, he becomes a national laughingstock—and is 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.

Editorial 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.


Excerpt

No Excerpt Currently Available

Discussion Questions

No discussion questions at this time.

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Eat it with Italian Food
by mlj1954 (see profile) 05/13/15
The book will give you all kinds of ideas about what to eat.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "not your typical John Grisham"by Mary Lynn J. (see profile) 05/13/15

This is a quick, fun read. Perfect for a summer vacation. In fact, I read it on vacation then handed it over to my husband. He liked it more than I did.

 
by Phyllis K. (see profile) 04/19/15

 
  "Everything Italian <3"by Jennifer G. (see profile) 08/31/10

"Playing for Pizza" by John Grisham

You don’t need to love football or even know much about it to enjoy this wonderful Grisham novel. I am a huge John Grisham fan. I have read each and

... (read more)

 
  "Playing for Pizza"by Lee Anne M. (see profile) 06/02/10

This was a fun book to read, unfortunately I was unable to finish it due to time constraints.

 
  "Italy, football and italian food"by Jennifer D. (see profile) 05/19/08

I agree with swarner87's review. I was very disappointed.

 
  "Italy, Food, & Football...and not much else"by Shelly W. (see profile) 05/11/08

I haven't read much of Grisham over the past several years and guess I was just expecting something quite different. This book really failed to hold my attention because of the lack of relatable characters... (read more)

 
  "Good book - but not one of Grisham's best"by Wendy G. (see profile) 10/17/07

This book was a nice easy read - but too predictable.

Rate this book
MEMBER LOGIN
Remember me
BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Book Club HQ to over 88,000+ book clubs and ready to welcome yours.

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search
Search




FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...