Playing for Pizza by John Grisham

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd (5 Jun 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0099519881

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With many books still to read and review as well as a new book to finish writing, i decided to close the pages and put my pen down. I decided to pause and take a thought for John Grisham's novel Playing for Pizza. I finished reading this novel a week ago and i had to take a moment before making any comments. I had to sit and ponder over the experience of reading this 336 page novel.

This was my first John Grisham novel to read. I had watched the movie adaptations of his novels "A Time to Kill" and "The Pelican Brief". I must say that i was incredibly impressed and was fascinated by the plots. In a nutshell- incredible. Therefore, you must imagine the excitement i had when i decided to pick up and read Playing for Pizza. So the question now is "Why did i choose Playing for Pizza?", considering John Grisham has many novels to choose from. Well, the answer is that whilst standing in Waterstones Bookstore, i was hooked after reading the first two pages.

Rick Dockery is an NFL Quaterback for one of America's most famous football teams, the Cleveland Browns. The story opens with Rick on a hospital bed after being injured at one of his teams most crucial games. Unfortunately his team has lost the game and it's his fault. As he lies on his back in the hospital, Rick watches as his career takes a nose dive. The team does not want him back. The fans want him dead and the press repeatedly crucify him.

Rick's agent struggles to find him a job as America no longer wants to tolerate the disgraced Quarterback.However, in the midst of all of this humiliation, a glimmer of hope opens up for Rick. His agent finds him a job to play for a little known team called the Parma Panthers.

Rick is delighted that at least someone wants to give him a second chance however, his hopes are deflated when he realises that the Parma Panthers are in Parma, Italy.

Rick has never been to Italy and he has never in his life earned as little as 2000Euro's. This offer seems riduculous to accept however, Rick is quickly persuaded when he realises that he has to escape the insults of Sports reporter Charley Cray. As Cray is out to murder Rick's career, Parma Italy begins seems like an inviting offer.

As Rick arrives in Parma, Grisham provides vivid imagery of the scenery in utterly beautiful language. Rick meets the Parma Panthers and their American Coach. They are a group of individuals who play the game not for a salary like Rick. They play the game for the passion of it and for the free Pizza and beer after the game - Playing for Pizza !

Rick soon gets used to the passionate nature of the Italians. Grisham's writing is often amusing as he graphically describes the Italians, their city of Parma and their strong love for Pancetta ham, Pasta, wine and cheese.

The goal of the team is to win the Italian Superbowl and their hopes lie in Rick Dockery helping them achieve this.

This is a story about their successes and their failures. It's about how an Italian team in Parma Italy taught an egotistic American Quarterback that there are more important things in life than money, power and prestige. Rick Dockery learnt about honour, loyalty, friendship and buckets of passion.

Playing for Pizza is not an intricate plot like the "Pelican Brief". Neither does it have emotionally wrenching moments like "A Time to Kill". Instead, it is a simple story with a simple lesson that many may fail to identify. The lesson is an initiation into life and coming to maturity.