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Summary: He does it again!
Review: John Grisham never ceases to amaze me. I read that someone compared this book to Terri Bailey's, "Cries of the Orchids." I agree that it's definitely a contender! Both are gripping, well written, and filled with emotion and suspense. Yet, they are very different. Kudos to both authors!
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Summary: A nice enough story....but where is the John Grisham....
Review: ....that wrote novels that I could hardly wait to get my hands on? I used to cringe at the though of having to wait for my next Grisham-fix!Bleachers is a pleasant enough tale with a somewhat interesting, albeit annoyingly predictable storyline, I will give it that. But I'd be willing to bet that for those of us who remember the spell-binding and positively riveting storylines of his earlier novels, the fact that Bleachers is somewhat interesting is of very little solace. Those of you who know his work, know just what I'm talking about. I don't know exactly when it started, maybe it was with Painted House, but Grisham's novels have become absolutely forgettable. I used to have no qualms with parting with my hard-earned dollars on hardbacks of his stuff so I wouldn't have to wait a whole year for the paperback to come out! Now, I feel like I got taken for the $5 I paid for the paperback version of Bleachers at my local WalMart! If Grisham's the next effort is as innocuous and cookie-cutter as Bleachers was, I'll keep my money and look for his next attempt as I'm sifting through the inevitable stack of unwanted books at my neighbor's future garage sale.
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Summary: Cokerthekid reviews
Review: Bleachers is a book about football and for this alone I thought that it would be at least entertaining. I was not in the least disappointed in the plot of the story or the eventual turn out of events that lead to a closing that is less than Chaucer like in composure.
The whole idea of a town, Methesdia,(please forgive the towns spelling) having an over zealous love for football seems like an ingredient in many other stories that have discussed the negativity of placing such inportance on one activity alone. Although this is true and is usually a good message Mr. Grisham does more than that he tackles the issue of the psychological effects it has on a adolesent to be revered as a super star. The effects of this are less than admirable. In fact in the middle of the week Neely does much short of rave about havig to live a life in the shadow of his teenage self.
What exactly was the town thinking when they started raising young men for a football team run by a man that tormented most if not all of his players for the rest of their natural born lives??? I myself was indeed not supprised a Rake's brazen lack of disreguard for his players. Bad things happen when all you want is that next streak for the town to get happy.
I thnk that part of the thrill of reading this and other Grisham novels is the ending when you can sit back and take a couple of minutes and complete the ending in your head and make it nice and neat. As a matter of fact I found it quite enjoyable to see all the changes of Neely the star quarterback... even if some of those, awe who am I kidding, most of which came from me.
I would in most every case recommend that you and others you know should read this novel. It is a short read and it is something that is a real conversation piece ... trust me anyone who has read this novel definitely has something to share!!
This review written by: A Timber Creek H.S. Student
Rating:
Summary: WORTH A READ
Review: Bleachers is Grisham's second novella in as many years. Again he proves he can write something other than a legal thriller, but again, you wish he would flesh the story out a bit more than the meager 163 pages offered here. The impending death of the Messina Spartans' football coach Eddie Rake is the focus, as seen through the eyes of a high school football hero has-been by the name of Neely Crenshaw. Crenshaw grudgingly returns to Messina awaiting the death of his former coach. He spends his time reminiscing with former friends and players and enjoys the brotherhood of all who played for coach Rake. Crenshaw reexamines his life since the high school gridiron and attempts to right a wrong with a girl from high school. There is a bit of intrigue, as Grisham waits well into the story to explain "what happened" to sour Crenshaw to Rake. Much of the criticism of this book has been harsh. Though I would love to have seen something more the length of THE PAINTED HOUSE I enjoyed the telling of this story. Grisham's prose pull you in. You realize how well this book is written when you consider the whole story about football is told with 90% of the action occurring in the bleachers. Bottom line: This is worth reading.
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Summary: A Delightful Departure for The Legal Beagle
Review: Bleachers is John Grisham's second departure from the legal genre and in it, he produces a wonderful, homespun, yet complicated story about a town that takes their football a little too seriously. At first glance, this book seems a departure for Grisham. There are no corporate fat cats, no pragmatic laywer heroes, no high-stakes, big money, accounts-in-the-Caymans courtroom dramas. And yet, what remains of Grisham is the heart and soul of all of his literature, what makes him an endearing staple for his fans: rich character development. Eddie Rake is a well-developed, southern, take-no-prisoners football coach who has left a mark on a tiny town. The other characters are rich and full, with regrets, imbedded memories, and a sense of belonging to a tight football fraternity. Bleachers is a welcome read, a delightful piece of literature, especially for those who have at one time played competitive team sports. The dialogue between formerly ego-centric, hard-hitting alpha males brought back my own memories of playing on our high-school basketball team. I also thought this book was very similar to another wonderful tale by another best-selling author, Jerry Jenkins. Hometown Legend has similar plotlines, developed around the unique passion of southern high-school football. I applaud Grisham for reaching beyond his legal niche and producing a delightful read. Go get this book and put it on your nightstand today.
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Summary: Best Sellers Review
Review: Bleachers, by John Grisham is a story of the Messina Spartans High-School, whos football team created a dynasty behind the head coach of Eddie Rake. This book is about Neely Crenshaw, an All-American quarterback for the Spartans and his story of lost love and lost fame. With Eddie Rake about to die from sickness, Neely returns to his hometown, as do all of the other Spartan players. He has a strong internal struggle on whether or not he loved or hated Eddie Rake. As you read, you hear details from his past life and learn stories about many of the other players, as they sit in the bleachers and remember the good times of playing football for Eddie Rake.
-By Jonathan Ahlers
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Summary: Inspiring and Uplifting
Review: Departing from his legal suspense novels, Bleachers, is a wonderful change of pace for Grisham. I love Grisham's non-legal books and have found them all to be wonderfully entertaining and this book is no exception. The scene where the football players were reminiscing over a past played game was wonderful and the reader felt "right there" reliving it all with them. Grisham reminds us that people are not what they seem. Appearances can be and are deceiving as we see with Coach Eddie Rake. Inspiring each and every one of his players, Coach Rake's influence flowed into all of their lives long after the glory days of high school football playing was over. It isn't until Rake's impending demise from cancer that most of his former players gather for the inevitable and reminiscent over their "glory" days and what Coach Rake has meant to each of them and to their small town as well. Coach Rake has touched each life that was under his tutelage and more often than not, left an indelible and lasting impression. The former players also get to see a more compassionate side of Coach Rake that many did not know existed! I found the book to be not only humorous, but uplifting and inspiring as well. Grisham reminds us that we all make mistakes throughout the course of our lives - what we decide to do with those grievous errors either makes us or breaks us. Highly recommend!
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Summary: Solid writing...refreshing and sharply drawn characters
Review: Grisham steps out onto the field and throws a touchdown. A solidly written book...sharply drawn characters...Grisham knows football.
His main character, Neely Crenshaw, comes home to say good-bye to his coach and discovers more about his own character and his life choices and finally lets go of the past. A departure from most books since Grisham's protagonist is never directly part of the dialogue...The story is told in vivid flashbacks of games never-forgotten, memories never out of reach and lessons that are kept for a lifetime through Coach Eddie Rake's players. This book will be read in an afternoon and is a nice introduction to Grisham's books that don't have a courtroom involved in the main plot. (But never fear, there is a lawyer in this story, too.) :-)
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Summary: Regrets, We all have a Few
Review: Harsh memories assault Neely Crenshaw, memories he'd rather forget when he arrives in Messina after a fifteen year absence. His high school football coach is on his deathbed and Neely, like many of the coach's former athletes, is coming home to spend his nights at the Messina Stadium waiting for the inevitable. Neely hated Coach Eddie Rake during high school, but football offered him a future and under the coaches grueling demands, he became the team star with a promising career in the pros, but an injury playing college ball left him with a ruined knee. So why did he come back to Messina, to make up with a girlfriend he'd left long ago, to see old friends, or to make peace with the coach? That's a question that Neely probably couldn't answer, but it makes for a wonderful book. This is a story of paths not taken, regrets and forgiveness. I laughed, I cried and I wondered what my life would be like now, if I'd taken a different path. I loved this book. Reviewed by Vesta Irene
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Summary: No Legal Stuff!
Review: I always been under impression that Bleachers like any John Grisham would be a Legal stuff but to my surprize the book had a say of broken dreams,reunion and emotionally twined tale with regrets. Neely Crenshaw comes back to the town after a long gap when his former Football coach was on death bed. He meets the football members and each has a say on their ups and downs. Past memories reel back to Neely as he meets all players and visits places in the town where he'd been a Hero. The sports spirit revives as all of them consoled another and past mistakes were forgiven. After the death of the Coach, the players depart and go their own life's normal ways. An unlike John Grisham but a pleasant surprize as the Pick is quite Good for a Read, esp if you are a Sports fan.
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