Rating: Summary: A Funny Satire Review: A friend recommended me this book because she believed it was simply a satirical look at the crazy world of sports. She was right. And sadly, that's all it is.Lupica's modernistic approach to writing is at some times refreshing but for at least most of this book, takes away from potentially what could have been a better plot with funnier characters. This book is an excellent weekend read for anyone looking for a few chuckles, but is certainly not worth the investment at face value. (However, I would recommend buying the bargain price now offered.)
Rating: Summary: Mike Lupica = Dan Jenkins. (Not this time) Review: First off let me say that I am a big fan of Mike Lupica's. I read everything he writes and I buy the Daily News whenever I see he has a piece in that paper. That said.......... I was disappointed in Bump & Run. I did it find it somewhat entertaining and an easy read but I never felt engrossed in the story. At times I felt that I was reading it just to get through it. I always felt that I was just reading a book. The weaving of the fictional with the factual although done seamlessly made the story seem more fictional than had he used fictional names for the teams, owners, and the never ending parade of celebrity references. I felt the story line followed fairly predictable patterns and what plot twists there were resolved themselves quickly, with no further complications and no real bearing on the story. I felt that the resolution to "the Jammer's" problem was predictable and evident fairly early in the story. Many of his other works rate ahead of Bump and Run. It is an easy read and probably a perfect beach book but little more. Don't let this book dissuade you from reading his other works.
Rating: Summary: Lots of Fun Review: I had fun reading this story. I especially enjoyed Lupica's thinly veiled real people, who he lampoons and gives ficticious names. (His portrayal of the Patriots owner as the tampon king is beautiful). This is also a highly cynical, sarcastic look at pro football. If pro football as a business, wasn't so tight-assed, the cynicism would be less amusing. But since it is so tight-assed, it begs to be made fun of, and Lupica does a great job of it. The characters are a mixture of real people (Al Davis, Pat Summerall, etc) and ficticious people like ATM Moore, the pass catching combination of Keyshaun Johnson and Randy Moss, among others. Mo Jiggy is a great fake for Puff Daddy and he and his posse are the best thing about the book. This is a really light, funny read, perfect for an airplane, the beach or anyplace you want to relax and have a good time with a story.
Rating: Summary: lack of imagination Review: I have two of Lupica's books, acquired after seeing him touted on the Don Imlus show. This one I got through the other one I had to quit. His writing style bothers me in that his character development, plot and story line are mediocre to poor. ...
Rating: Summary: lack of imagination Review: I have two of Lupica's books, acquired after seeing him touted on the Don Imlus show. This one I got through the other one I had to quit. His writing style bothers me in that his character development, plot and story line are mediocre to poor. ...
Rating: Summary: summer read Review: I took me 3 months to get thru this boring book.I thought would have some exciting stuff. Just some dumb stories about how some kid got his dads football team and some dumb BS stories with some underworld king. Hated it... A S
Rating: Summary: A solid support for a lightweight story. Review: Lupica's ability as a sportswriter serve him well in this slightly odd and occasionally humorous look at the NFL. Lupica excels at exposing the current state of the game with its out of control players and the bizarre world they inhabit. The thinly veiled references to current celebrities and players is fun to read, but the story itself,about a prodigal sun taking over his father's franchise, is not particularly intriguing and the ending is extremely predictable. A good page turner for the beach or the plane, but not something that will stick with you.
Rating: Summary: The NFL According to Lupica Review: Professional sports at the NFL level are so full of people as are depicted in this book that I was tempted to look at it as a very funny work of non-fiction. It is populated with characters - funny ones - serious ones - dangerous ones - stupid ones and many very curvy ones. As usual, Mike has an ear for how people in this genre carry themselves and while the plot of the story - whether or not Jammer Molloy, son of the owner of the New York Hawks will be allowed to become an owner of the team after his daddy dies and leaves it to him, is never in serious doubt, it is the "how" of making this happen that is entertaining and not "whether.". No one writes this kind of book better than Mike Lupica. At least not yet!
Rating: Summary: Lupica Hits the Nail on the Head Review: This is considered a fiction work, although it is probably a documentary of the NFL. This book will keep you entertained and guessing what happens all the way to the end. It is extremely funny, yet very whitty and observant. From hypocritical self-proclaimed 'Christians' to ultra-ego football players to backstabbing sibblings, this book has it all. This book is even better if you are an avid sports fan who has kept up with football news and events the last two or three years, as "Bump and Run" is a parody of a lot of events that have happened recently. A definite must-read.
Rating: Summary: sophmoric sports novel Review: This novel was advertised as being funny but most of its humor is more stupid than funny. The basic idea of a LasVegas casino geter becoming an NFLowner had promise but Lupica just goes over the top in his satire. Good satire requiresat least some nuance as well as a degree of moral seriousness and Lupica displays none of this in the novel which was full of cariacatures but no characters. I will continue to read his nonfiction but I doubt I will ready any more of his novels.
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