Helpful Score: 8
This book differs quite a bit from his usual lawyer tales, and is quite a bit slower. It's interesting to see a different side to his writing, but I did not prefer it.
Helpful Score: 8
I love Grisham's voice in all his novels. This was a departure from the legal mystery genre, but it was an easy, enjoyable read. Great for any football fan, anyone from a small town, or who feels nostalgic about their high school "glory days."
Helpful Score: 5
This is more literary than what John Grisham usually writes. Standing alone as a departure from his courtroom dramas with all the mystery and suspense, Bleachers shows a new side of Grisham as a writer. He can write in other genres and still be the well-loved author whose characters come off the page.
Helpful Score: 4
Even though I am not a football fan, this is an excellent book. Really captures the feeling of hometowns, team spirit and friendship in the face of adversity.
Helpful Score: 3
High School football team mates who return to their high school after their coach edies and the impact he had on each of their lives... very different John Grisham book!!! Quick read!!!
Helpful Score: 3
Bleachers is an OK book, but in my opinion, not one of Grisham's best.
Helpful Score: 3
I had a hard time getting started with this, but once I got into it, it was a decent book. I don't consider myself a big Grisham fan. The style of writing just doesn't work for me.
Helpful Score: 3
I hope this is one of the next movies made out of one of his books for the layout was very well done. I am not much of a football fan though I felt I traveled back in history as each character told their story.
Helpful Score: 3
Me and a couple of friends read this book for school and we all loved it. It's a sad tale of a small town losing they're amazing football coach, Coach Rake, that led them to many victories and an all-american quarterback, Neely Crenshaw, coming back to his small hometown to mourn the death of his coach. In this book the characters share many stories of thier times with Rake and what really went on in the locker room during the championship game.
Helpful Score: 2
A different Grisham book but a very easy read. About a group of football stars from a small town back for their old coaches funeral. I think guys would like this book for the play by play of the past games they played. Loved it myself, and I'm not a guy.
Helpful Score: 2
Different for Grisham...enjoyed reading from his different perspective.
Helpful Score: 2
A very small, but enjoying read. Certainly different from the other Grisham books.
Helpful Score: 2
It was not the crime novels I am used to by Grisham, but it takes us back to the teen years of his main character, and how he feels, and used to feel about someone.
Helpful Score: 1
Unlike John Grisham's typical legal thrillers, this is a nice surprise, with a hometown feel to it.
Helpful Score: 1
What a great read. I read this book in less than 48 hours...all while i was working and juggling several other appointments.
Far from the style we are used to from John Grisham but what a gripping story.
Far from the style we are used to from John Grisham but what a gripping story.
Helpful Score: 1
This is unlike most Grisham books. It's the story of a high school all American quarterback's return to his alma mater after 15 years because the coach is dying. The NY Times said, "Grisham makes the football game so real the reader can almost see/hear it." The story is very touching. It almost reads like a personal journey.
Helpful Score: 1
If you like grisham books its definately worth a read, not one of his top books though. A bit slow.
Helpful Score: 1
Probably my favorite John Grisham book! If you're southern and from a small (football) town you can definitely relate to this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
this book is for people that love football - i'm not one of them...
Helpful Score: 1
Different for Grisham but a pleasant read!
Slow beginning but great toward the end. Overall a fast read though.
Helpful Score: 1
I love Grisham, but Hate football. If you, on the other hand, LIKE football, this would be a great book for you. It needs an appreciative home.
Helpful Score: 1
Very different Grisham. A great book about toughness, relationships, regrets. An easy read.
Coach Eddie Rake is dying. He created a football dynasty in a small town, and his former players gather to say goodbye. They remember the games and try to decide whether they hate or love coach Rake. Neeley Crenshaw, the greatest quarterback they ever had has been gone for 15 years and must forgive himself and his coach before he can move on with his life.
Coach Eddie Rake is dying. He created a football dynasty in a small town, and his former players gather to say goodbye. They remember the games and try to decide whether they hate or love coach Rake. Neeley Crenshaw, the greatest quarterback they ever had has been gone for 15 years and must forgive himself and his coach before he can move on with his life.
Helpful Score: 1
A great tale about going home and dealing with the "ghosts" of one's past.
Helpful Score: 1
A good story about a high school all-American football player who returns to his home town for his 15th high school reunion to find that his old coach--the man he can't forgive--is dying.
Helpful Score: 1
Not a typical Grisham but interesting.
Helpful Score: 1
A little different type of book for Grisham than what I've been used to. Still a good read.
Helpful Score: 1
interesting
Helpful Score: 1
My husband loved this book. I myself did not read it as my husband was explaining every chapter to me. It sounded really good. He read it in a day. For my husband to read a book in a day...then it is good!
Helpful Score: 1
loved this book...great read
Helpful Score: 1
Loved it! Great football book.
Helpful Score: 1
A look at high school football, the coach and how it affects a town.
Helpful Score: 1
easy read football book good for teenage boy
Helpful Score: 1
Not Grishams usual subject (completely non-law related), but an outstanding read. Great book about coming back home. It struck a chord with me because I played high school football and lived in a small Texas town where half the population showed up for games. I think Grisham could write a story about baking cookies and make it exciting.
Helpful Score: 1
good book, held my interest.
Helpful Score: 1
Good book, not your typical Grisham.
Helpful Score: 1
have always loved John Grisham's novels in the courtroom and wasn't sure if I would like this one.
I shouldn't have been worried.
awesome story.
I shouldn't have been worried.
awesome story.
Helpful Score: 1
Grisham does a fine job of capturing the atmosphere in a small town where every store has the game schedule in the window and no one plans any other activities on Friday night.
Helpful Score: 1
excellent book, especially if your from a small town and enjoy high school sports! Its far from his normal law books!
Helpful Score: 1
I'm amazed at the many genres in which Grisham can write.
Helpful Score: 1
Grisham proves he can write great novels with other than a lawyer a central character.
Helpful Score: 1
Not his best work. Good but I like his mysteries better!
Helpful Score: 1
a great story and a quick read
Helpful Score: 1
A good read, but not the usual Grisham style. I really enjoyed it though.
Helpful Score: 1
Great quick read. I am not a sports book reader, but this book is a liitle more than that. Small town football hero gets revisits his past to change his life.
This book is a great read for the lover of football. It shows a truth to how a once loved football player can loose love and fail all without knowing it till the end when it is too late. John Grisham is a great writer and the book won't take long to get through it. I think every young football player should read it!
Helpful Score: 1
John Grisham lays off the law books to focus on the legacy of a football coach who laid down the law. The book is a description of the final days of a coaching legend in a small southern town. Bleachers tells the story of coach Eddie Rake through the eyes of his former superstar Neely Crenshaw who has come back to town in anticipation of the coach's death.
While much has been said how this is a departure from Grisham's legal thrillers, I am not sure it is that much of a departure. Bleachers in some ways is a legal drama. Eddie Rake's life is on trial. His methods, his achievements, his defeats, are all scrutinized. At the memorial service, several witnesses even take the stand for him. Crenshaw is part prosecutor, part star witness, and part jury and ultimately it is not only Rake's life on trial but also his own.
While much has been said how this is a departure from Grisham's legal thrillers, I am not sure it is that much of a departure. Bleachers in some ways is a legal drama. Eddie Rake's life is on trial. His methods, his achievements, his defeats, are all scrutinized. At the memorial service, several witnesses even take the stand for him. Crenshaw is part prosecutor, part star witness, and part jury and ultimately it is not only Rake's life on trial but also his own.
Helpful Score: 1
No legalese in this Grisham novel. Lots of nostalgia.
Helpful Score: 1
Football story. Not typical John Grisham novel.
Helpful Score: 1
I did not like one thing about this book. Might be a mans book since it is about men and sports. I was very dissappointed since I like Grisha
Helpful Score: 1
Good story, but sad.
Helpful Score: 1
A different kind of John Grisham book, but it was good.
Helpful Score: 1
A brief story following the obsession of a small town with football and the bonds between players and coaches. This is a short book that will be most of interest to those that played, had football in their family, or grew up in a town like Messina - where football was the one thing that the town had together.
Helpful Score: 1
Not a John Grisham typical book. I think he went home for his High School Reunion and Forgot how to write. I did not enjoy this one and I have Read ALL of his books.
Helpful Score: 1
I didn't really like this book, but I think it may just not be my kind of story. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and it just never did.
Helpful Score: 1
John Grisham goes outside his regular genre to write a book that basically takes place in only a few days. A beloved football coach is dying and the old team gets together to reminisce. That's it. But I loved the characters and their old stories and how they handle the final days of their coach and glory days.
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful book.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is a very accurate portrayal of high school footballl in the South both from the view of the player and then later on from the same player as they face life in the non-football world.I moved to Texas six years ago and if I would have read this book when I was still in California I would have thought it was an exaggeration to make a good story.It is not. I live in a small town in Texas and every Friday at least 1/4 of the town is out at the high school Football game. Elementary kids have spirit days where the highschool football players come and sign autographs. It was very well written, I agree with the 4 1/2 stars it was given because it does drag in places.
Helpful Score: 1
This was one of the few Grisham books I was not disapointed with. There was actually an ending! If you like this one try Skipping Christmas, it was really funny and not at all a Grisham read.
Helpful Score: 1
This was an okay summer read, but not much like John Grisham's other novels. Expect this to be different, but good.
Helpful Score: 1
Nice writing from John Grisham as always. However, this was by far my most favorite of his because it was out of the norm for him. Touching story of a high school football coach and the lives he impacted throughout his life, in a good way or a bad way.
Helpful Score: 1
different but good,a good description of small town life
Helpful Score: 1
I've read others by him I liked better, but if you like football you will probably love this one
Helpful Score: 1
Different book for Grisham, but not bad. I prefer his courtroom action over this though.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a different story for Grisham. A high school football coach, Eddie Rake, is dying. Over the years of coaching some of his players loved him and some hated him. As word gets out that he is dying players drift back to the school bleachers and relive the glory days. Neely Crenshaw is among them. He must forgive his coach and himself before he can get on with his life.
You will probably read this in one sitting; so don't leave anything on the stove!
You will probably read this in one sitting; so don't leave anything on the stove!
If you are from a small town where football means everything, this book will really resonate with you. It's a departure from Grisham's regular legal thrillers and a slower pace. It's like a reunion of the football players and their reminiscing of the old days.
fast & entertaining read
A young man's home coming to a small town helps him deal with his past and a future.
John Grisham takes a break from usual lawyer-in-peril thrillers to write a story about high school football and its effect on the people involved in it. Messina is a small town in an unnamed southern state where the football field holds more people than the town population. The tough-as-nails coach, Eddie Rake, drove his boys hard to win state championships and the hero worship and extra privileges that come with it. The coach is now on his deathbed, and his old players come back to Messina to say goodbye and relive memories of those days. It's a look at how a single-minded obsession and hero worship at a young age can affect many lives. Bleachers has received mixed reviews from "engaging little novel" (USA Today) to a "moribund and misbegotten little novel" (Entertainment Weekly).
Not his typical lawyer book. I liked this one because I love high school football, and the story was real for me.
I loved this book. Very different from Grisham's other books.
I've enjoyed his lawyer books more.
Great book, Anyone who loves footbal will enjoy this book...
Not your typical Grisham, but very well written and entertaining.
Not a typical Grisham book but enjoyable and well worth the read.
Not a great book, but is okay. Basically it's about a bunch of guys that were small town High School football stars who come together again as their legendary coach is dying. I didn't much care for it, but it was a great commentary on the 'glory days' fof High School athletes, and how seldom their stardom lasts for long, leaving them with nothing but the memories and a broken body to show for it. But, it's also a commentary on the lasting influence, whether positive or negative, a well-respected figure such as a coach can have on the young people they're around. Not a bad read, and it doesn't take long either.
Another great one by John Grisham!
Another great book by John Grisham.
Easy read, good story, I loved it.
This is a quick read, but it appears to be most interesting to those who enjoy reading descriptions high school football plays. The book does have some interesting messages, but I got bored reading the sports stuff.
very easy and enjoyable to read. I do recommend it.
This book was surprisingly good, even though I am not a big football fan. Very enjoyable.
This is a good book if you are very familiar with football.
If you are from a small town, you will enjoy this book. It's always about coming home.
This book is very good. Is is set with a sports like theme but has a deep meaning to it. I do not like sports in anyway but this book was excellent.
Men reliving their glory days as high school football stars. Poignant and realistic.
Awesome book - any football fan would enjoy it!
I really liked this book. Although not a typical John Grisham book, it provided plenty of suspense and entertainment.
John Grisham has experience as a prior QB on a HS football team and writes from those experiences. The perspective he provides gave plenty of references into the High School football persona.
Many of us misunderstand the revalance that HS football has provided to the typical adult in today's world.
Although I will have to admit that many readers will not appreciate this book (because it is not a typical John Grisham book) the contents within provide us with a notalgisic reference in which to relate.
If you haven't read it you may want to give it a try. I did laugh and cry throughout the book. It really brought back many memories of my High School Days for me.
Actually, order my book and I'll send it to you.
John Grisham has experience as a prior QB on a HS football team and writes from those experiences. The perspective he provides gave plenty of references into the High School football persona.
Many of us misunderstand the revalance that HS football has provided to the typical adult in today's world.
Although I will have to admit that many readers will not appreciate this book (because it is not a typical John Grisham book) the contents within provide us with a notalgisic reference in which to relate.
If you haven't read it you may want to give it a try. I did laugh and cry throughout the book. It really brought back many memories of my High School Days for me.
Actually, order my book and I'll send it to you.
One-dimensional characters gather to say farewell to their iconic high school football coach, Eddie Rake. This controversial figure touched the lives of all of his players over the thirty years that he coached the Messina Spartans. What makes the story appealing, is that the main character, Neely Crenshaw is so believable, the divorced, former All-American quarterback who suffered a career-ending knee injury.
It appears that this book is really a short story, an assignment from writing class that begins something like, pick a moment where you felt profound emotion and blow it up. This story is really one moment in time that is exploded over a course of three days.
It appears that this book is really a short story, an assignment from writing class that begins something like, pick a moment where you felt profound emotion and blow it up. This story is really one moment in time that is exploded over a course of three days.
This book is oh so true!
An excellent down to Earth story about life as it really is. Reliving what had been helps bring back good memories.
I did not care for this book. I'm not a big football fan, so I was kind of bored during the parts where they relived their football moments; but for those football fans out there you will probably enjoy this book.
Neely Crenshaw returns to his home town to bury the football coach. The boys, now men, struggle to decide if they hate or love their old coachand Neely struggles to forgive his old coach when the stakes are especially high
Great story!
Great story!
Another great John Grisham book.
Very touching. Reminds me somwhat of Remember the Titans.
This was not nearly as exciting as most of his books. The story was interesting and rather sad but I just wasn't thrilled about it.
Not Grisham's usual book. Good though.
A different but good book. A definite read for a Grisham fan.
what a wonderful story told by this author who usually writes legal thrillers. this is a beautifully written story - not just about football.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fairly "easy read," but it was a in-depth study of the complicated undercurrents of small-town football, and what happens after we supposedly "grow up."
Great Book. Nice story line.
A terrific All-American novel.
THIS WOULD BE A GREAT BOOK TO GET A TEEN BOY OR A MAN TO READ SOMETHING. BUT IT'S A WELL TOLD STORY AND GOOD EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT FOOTBALL. IT'S ABOUT WHAT THEY LEARN FROM BEING ON A TEAM AND FROM A SPECIAL COACH. RELATIONSHIPS AS IMPORTANT AS THE FOOTBALL ITSELF.
The impending death of their former high school football coach brings a group of men together to look back over their lives and the decisions they made. This has the feel of a padded-out short story.
Neither Paulette or Rick has read it.
A young man returns to his home town to attend the funeral of his high school coach. They didn't get along very well while he was in high school but the young man learned a lot about forgivness while was home. I really liked this book.
"As taut and twisting as a well-thrown spiral. Some of the best writing from Grisham...He makes Bleachers sing. Grisham makes this football game so real that the reader can almost see and hear it."
All of John Grisham is good reading!
High school all-American Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have gone by since those glory days, and Neely has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake, the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty." Now as Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake - or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach - and himself - before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high.
A legendary HS football coach is dying and ex-jocks come back to reminisce and await his passing. Their reliving the past brings up aspects of the coach's tactics that they've forgotten--or tried to. About sports, forgiveness, psychological damage.
Another winner from Joh Grisham.
Not the usual Grisham. The writing is good but I definitely prefer his legal books. This was too slow.
"You've read Bleachers, John Grisham's newest bestseller, many times in a thousand other books, many of them better than this somewhat undersized novel. The general atmosphere of high school football which consumes an entire town has been told better in Friday Night Lights. The harsh treatment of young football hopefuls by dictator-coaches was brought into cruel focus in the non-fiction Junction Boys, about Bear Bryant and a legendary sweat-box training camp for his players during his first summer at Texas A&M. And, of course, keeping vigil for an impending death has been literally done to death many times, notably in Edward Albee's Pulitzer-Prize winning play All Over. So, why read Bleachers? Because, once again, the fresh, newspaper-like quality of John Grisham's minimalist prose draws us into the story and makes us love and, in our own ways, relate to all the characters, saint and sinner alike. Here, we have Neely Crenshaw, the gifted ex-quarterback who can't forgive Coach Eddie Rake for one moment of locker room abuse; Cameron, the ex-girlfriend whom he jilted in high school and who cannot fully forgive him; Mal, the ex-player turned lawman who has his own chilling tale to tell; and finally, the ex-teammates who meet spontaneously in the bleachers of the old stadium awaiting news of the coach's impending death. They meet shyly, hesitantly at first, then start to drink and tell stories while listening to a tape broadcast of their most famous game. (Their shared stories as they relive this game are the undisputed high point of the book.) Yes, we even have the memorial service in which our ex-quarterback and (believe it or not) our dearly departed coach get the chance to have a final say. We know the outcome of this story as surely as Friday night football in the South. Why retell it? Because it is a very touching and human story and like all the best stories, deserves to be told again and again. (Besides, it's a short book, and quick readers will finish it in a matter of hours.) In short, a good reaffirmation of life, the human spirit, and football in all it's glory."
- Chris
- Chris
book about a football team
Bestseller. Grisham at his best.
****After fifteen years, Neely Crenshaw, high school all-American quarterback, has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake. As Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers, they rep;lay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they loved Eddie Rake or hate him. Neely Crenshaw must finally forgive his coach and himself before he can get on with his life.
john grisham enough said
High school all-American Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have gone by since those glory days, and Neely has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake, the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty. Now, as Coach Rake's boys sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach and himself, before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high....
"High school all-American Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have gone by since those glory days, and Neely has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake, the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty." Now as Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake - or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach - and himself - before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high.
High school all-American Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the Legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have gone by since those glory days, and Neely has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake, the nam who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty.
Now, as Coach rake\'s \"boys\" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake-or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach-and himself-before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high...
Now, as Coach rake\'s \"boys\" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake-or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach-and himself-before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high...
High school all-American Nealy Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. 15 years have gone by since those glorious days and Nealy has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty.
From my parents. They love John Grisham but they weren't crazy about this book. Deals with baseball.
This was a pretty good story...not great.
Not one of Grisham's best, but still excellent.
High school all-american Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have gone by since those glory days, and Neely has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake, the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty.
Now, as Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake--or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach--and himslef--before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high...
You enjoy this John Grishman book as much as all his others.
Now, as Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake--or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach--and himslef--before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high...
You enjoy this John Grishman book as much as all his others.
From Publishers Weekly: "...slight but likable novel of high school football, a legendary coach and the perils of too early fame. Fifteen years after graduation, Neely Crenshaw, one-time star quarterback of the Messina Spartans, returns home on hearing news of the impending death of tough-as-nails coach Eddie Rake. Neely knows the score: "When you're famous at eighteen, you spend the rest of your life fading away." It's a lesson he's learned the hard way after destroying his knee playing college ball and drifting through life in an ever-downward spiral. He and his former teammates sit in the bleachers at the high school stadium waiting for Rake to die, drinking beer and reminiscing. There is a mystery involving the legendary '87 championship, and Neely has unfinished business with an old high school sweetheart..." Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --
High school all-American Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have gone by since those glory days, and Neely has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake, the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty.
Now, as Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake-or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach-and himself-before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high.
Now, as Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake-or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach-and himself-before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high.
High school all-American Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have gone by since those glory days, and Neely has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake, the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty...For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach--and himself--before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high.
