Playing For Pizza: A Novel

Playing For Pizza: A Novel
by John Grisham

Playing For Pizza: A Novel
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Book Summary Information

Author: John Grisham
Edition: Hardcover
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 2007-09-24
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: Doubleday

Book Reviews of Playing For Pizza: A Novel

Book Review: Outstanding! From an ex-American Football Player in Italy
Summary: 5 Stars

I never thought that any writer, much less one as talented as John Grisham, would have written and popularized a story regarding American Football in Italy. In writing "Playing for Pizza" he produced a very enjoyable fictional account of a phenomenon which was the cornerstone of my life for many years.

With the exception of my last two "comeback" games played in 2008, I played American Football in Italy with the Pesaro "Angels" from 1988-1993. I played against the Parma "Panthers" many times and had a few of their players as teammates when I played for the Italian National Team in 1992.

This book is also a story about cultural broadening, adaptation, and ultimately enrichment. Grisham tells a story I saw unfold many times. Being an American teenager playing in an adult amateur/semi-professional league I spent a lot of time with many professional American coaches and players. I witnessed many of them arrive in Italy focused solely on winning football games. At first they would struggle to communicate via interpreters such as myself and deal with the different "weekend-warrior" work ethic of the Italian players. In time, Italian cuisine, history, and culture became a part of their daily routine and they began to tolerate, accept, and ultimately love the slower pace of life in Italy. Grisham paints an endearing portrait of many players, fans, and team managers who take on American attitudes in their passion for the game in a charming Italian manner.

John Grisham does a great job of capturing the spirit of the American Football phenomenon in Italy. The characters he creates to me are an amalgam of many different people, both Italian and American, I played with and against over there. The book beautifully intertwines the story of people broadening their cultural horizons.

Summary of Playing For Pizza: A Novel

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. Great, says Rick?for which team?

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?not even where it is?has never been to Europe, and doesn?t speak or understand a word of Italian.

To say that Italy?the land of opera, fine wines, extremely small cars, romance, and Football Americano? holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement.


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.


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