Finding the Good Life at the Bottom of a Career
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Those of you who are looking for a murder, a kidnapping, or a Mafia plot will be disappointed: Playing for Pizza isn't that kind of book. The book comes closer to Bleachers than to any other book that Mr. Grisham has written. But of his nonlawyer books, Playing for Pizza is definitely one of the more successful.
Young people often get caught up in what others want them to do . . . or what they simply do well. It often takes a while before it occurs to most people to choose a life they like. John Grisham explores this subject in a thoughtful and interesting way as he describes the lives of Rick Dockery, scapegoat of all NFL backup quarterbacks, and Livvy Galloway, frustrated college-student daughter of two warring parents in the middle of a divorce.
For those who love football, there's lots of action involving a semipro league in Italy where Rick grabs a last chance at glory. For those who love opera, arts, and architecture, there are lots of visits to cultural destinations that will give you ideas for your next trip to Italy. Those who love food will find their mouths watering at the delicious descriptions of Italian food in Parma and Florence. For those who enjoy a good laugh, there are merciless satires of sports agents, sports writers, sports groupies, team owners, and Americans in Europe.
The story moves along smoothly and in unexpected ways that will keep you interested. In many ways, you'll feel like you are Rick learning how to be at home in a new culture where he doesn't know how to speak the language, has trouble parking a car, and isn't sure how to meet women. After all, his Italian team doesn't have any cheerleaders.
As the book opens, Rick is in pain and in a hospital bed. But he can't remember how he got there. It must have been something special though; there is a lot of excitement going on around him. As the painful story unfolds, he realizes he would have been better off not being told what happened. In disgrace for his play in the fourth quarter of an important game for the Browns, the world is out for his blood. And the only team that wants him is located in Italy. Rick takes the offer and enters a world of expatriate football that provides new challenges, connections, and satisfactions. You'll follow Rick through a season in Italy and find a changed man.
Root for taking the right option!
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