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Summary: Smalltown , USA
Review: It didnt matter that I am a female and have never played the game of football- this book was about me and my small hometown. Most people will recognize it: a town obsessed with high school sports, a town you cant wait to leave, a town full of best friends and your first love. IT's all about coming home again.
This book will forever be one of my favorites.
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Summary: Real people. real images. real emotions....real good!
Review: I can not express how much I truly loved this book. I thought it would be very similar to Conroy's "A Losing Season", and, albeit a reminisence of a youth long gone, Grisham packs an emotional whollop unlike any other I have experienced with a novel. I am usually leary of books on tape read by the author, but Grisham, as only an author could, knew when to impact and when to lighten up. As the mother of a long-done football player, I think anyone who ever played, watched their child play, dreamt of playing,or classifies themselves a Monday Morning coach, should read, or listen, to this fantastic book. I have loved Grisham's writing ability for years, and althought this strays from his norm, it has only enhanced in me my love for his ability to turn prose into real emotion.
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Summary: A great book - why the carping??
Review: This is a GREAT book - why the carping? Just because it is refreshingly different from his crime books, that is no reason to criticise it. Stop being obtuse and buy it!
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Summary: Short? Simple? So What!
Review: All the accusations are true. This book is short and simple. (As if you didn't notice its trim length when you took it into your judgmental little hands?) I've always approached Grisham's writing with an open mind, and, although I've trashed one or two of his books at this site--think, "The Brethren"--I've applauded when he tries something different and pulls it off."Bleachers" is a basic story of forgiveness and regrets. As football players from a small town's past gather to honor their dying coach, they swap tales and a few secrets. They reconnect. Forgive and forget. Remember and relive. The ideas are straightforward, yet told with wit and wisdom. Sure, some of characters may seem like stereotypes, but these are stereotypes we all know personally--if you grew up in a small town, at least. My wife and I read this together in three short sittings, laughing, and reminiscing ourselves after closing the covers. I am glad to see Grisham's pattern of stretching the mold he created. Rather than remaining trapped by expectations, he continues to broaden and expand them. If you want "War and Peace," don't pick up a 163 page novella. If you want an entertaining and heart-warming tale that you can digest quickly, this is the story for you.
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Summary: Huge Grisham Fan
Review: Although this is unlike Mr. Grisham's prior works, I still found this book enjoyable. This book contained sporatic humor and shows the human side to the characters that Grisham is notorious for accentuating in his books.
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Summary: Where he gets his stories
Review: John Grisham writes these small novels whenever a story enters his mind. There are far more that he has written, he has thrown most of them away. After he writes the draft, he presents them to his wife. Who then reads them and gives her opinion. If they stink, he throws them out. If they are liked, he sends them to the publisher. Yes they are a lot smaller and less intense than his previous 500 page novels, but they are a good break and a way to intice new readers.
Everyone has an imagination and little stories are written in our minds. John Grisham just writes his down and shares them with others.
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Summary: Average Football Story
Review: This is a good story of love, regrets, and football. True, it is not Grisham's best work, but I would prefer Bleachers over any five hundred and some page book. Bleachers offers an interesting story, although the conclusion is a little flimsy. This is a fast read. It is only a hundred and some pages. Not the greatest book ever, but if you have some time on your hands, I would recommend this novella.
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Summary: Long time Grisham Fan
Review: Grisham returns to producing riveting novels with this book. It wasn't a suspense driven thriller like his early novel but he establishes excellent characters that drive the entire story. A must read for any Grisham fan.
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Summary: Reconciling your past
Review: I absolutely loved this book on many levels. First of all, I can relate to the main character's love/hate feelings for his high school football coach. Anyone who has played sports, or has had children who played sports has at some point encountered a sports fanatic. One who is totally unreasonable in his expectations of others to the point of abusing those he coachs. Usually, as is the case in this book, it is young people being bullied, as adults would probably fight such treatment. Words that were used to set particular scenes, or to describe particular people , (such as the sheriff, Mal) were so well placed that you could almost see/hear and smell the characters. "Naw. The State boys got him." Mal shifted his weight and reached for a cigarette. There was a story to tell so he limbered up. (can't you just SEE this macho sheriff..sniffing..and fluffing his feathers before telling his tale????) Also..I understand Neely trying to reconcile all the hurts of his past that pushed him away from his small town for 14 years. You can either bury your past, and truly not remember it, or face it and get over it. I loved this book...it was touching, humorous and most of all
so realistic and close to life that you could taste the coffee made in Neely's gay friends shop. To some how weave this story to the point where you cared for this nasty man (Eddie Rake, THE coach) took some creativity and skill. Unfortunately, in real life these types don't have a "good side". And if this man were in my hometown, I'm sure some MAD Mom would have taken him out of commission. A very entertaining, touching story, nonetheless. Hat's off to you John Grisham.
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Summary: It's Grisham, but thats about it...
Review: As an advid Grisham reader, I read all his books (Yes, I even finished The Painted House). However, I sometimes wonder why he puts out these small little books every now and then that are such a simplification of his immense talent. It is almost as if while he is writing a really good book, he takes a lunch break, and writes a story during lunch; slaps his name on it, and print. This book is a horrible representation of his talent. The only readers who will like this book, are Grisham's die hard fans. But of course, he could slap his name on a calander with a couple of Thomas Kinkade pics in it and they would buy it. Can someone please tell me why he even bothers with these planar books. This book is like getting a salad, and then just forgetting about dinner. Total worthless. Please, John, do us all a favor; Write what your good at. Your an amazing author, when you stick to what you know best. Take a leason from Chris Raines and use a alias if you want to go out on a limb, for no perfectly good reason. This way people would know ahead of time, that this was not done with all your heart and talent.
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