Playing for Pizza: A Novel | 
 enlarge | Author: John Grisham
Creator: Christopher Evan Welch
Publisher: RH Audio
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $4.34
You Save: $25.61 (86%)
New (35) from $4.34
Avg. Customer Rating:  265 reviews
Sales Rank: 56899
Format: Audiobook, Unabridged
Media: Audio CD
Edition: Unabridged
Number Of Items: 6
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.3 x 5.5 x 1.1
ISBN: 0739359096
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780739359099
ASIN: 0739359096
Publication Date: September 24, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: New Book! Excellent Condition! Usually ships same or next business day!
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Amazon.com
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.
Product Description
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 heads off to Italy. He knows nothing about Parma, 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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 260 more reviews...
 Un-engaging August 1, 2008
The best way to describe this book is un-engaging. It seems Grisham overextended his stay in Italy after finishing 'The Broker' and had some time and energy to put together this book about an American football player who is looking for a new beginning.
The story wavers between the ups and downs of the player in a foreign country, learning about the food, the culture and...in reality this is one of Grisham's lows.
 Warmed Up Chef Boyardee July 27, 2008
Sorry John - you called this one in. You really didn't seem interested in cooking up an interesting recipe- or doing the work. Can a book (or pizza)really be this bland?
 Good, easy read July 26, 2008
This book was well written with a storyline that was easy to believe. I'm not usually much for fiction, but after reading this, I might try more books by Mr. Grisham.
Should be in the Young Adults section July 25, 2008
I haven't read a Grisham novel in years but found them to be nicely plotted. albeit dry, thrillers. "Playing for Pizza" however, is an absolute mystery to me. The writing is so simple I truly thought it was designed for the adolescent reader. A linear, simple, predictable plot, one dimensional characters..I could go on. If he didn't have his name attached to it there is no way a book like this would get published.
Playing for Pizza July 25, 2008
I have never actually read a Grisham book until now, and I imagine Grisham fans are a little let down by this one. This is a story that would succeed as a movie and not as a book. The book itself lacked depth and resulted in a rather boring, at times disconnected, read. I love food (who doesn't?) and football (most of America), therefore I was initially attracted to the book. In the end, it only made me wish I was in Italy eating Italian food and not reading about it.
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