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Bleachers: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 17,796 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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.
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"I read this book in High School my senior year and loved it. I remember thinking my teacher did an awesome job finding a full class reading that all the students would enjoy. The story draws you in, and you find yourself as conflicted as the main character over many of the same events."
— Crystal (4 out of 5 stars)
Bleachers Listener Reviews
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Colleen Kelly, 9/2/2022
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Mike Corney, 6/13/2022
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" This book is unlike most that I've read and certainly not the traditional Grisham novel. It is essential the memories of small town football players that have come home to await the passing of their terminally ill football coach. It has a good message and is a quick read. "
— David, 2/18/2014 -
" Should be read by anyone who thought they were a big deal in high school. "
— Hapzydeco, 2/5/2014 -
" Decent. This might have been a bit better had I played or had a passionate love for high school football. It also made me glad that I didn't play high school football. "
— nate, 1/28/2014 -
" I like Grisham's football tales. He does a good job capturing the truth in small town atmospheres. "
— Joshua, 1/26/2014 -
" I didn't even give it one star. It just reminded me how much I dislike football, and I never did finish this book. "
— Nicole, 1/23/2014 -
" not the usual Grisham book, but I did enjoy it. "
— Judie, 1/22/2014 -
" If you have played a down of football in your life, whether it be 1st grade Pee-wee league or the NFL, you will love this book. If you haven't dont bother picking it up. "
— Kev, 1/20/2014 -
" Not Grisham's usual. A little disappointing. I couldn't finish it, not because it was that good, but I wanted to get to the end and start a different book. Names were a little weird too: Silo, Hindu, Neely..who names their sons that? "
— Dottie, 1/18/2014 -
" growing up - everyone had their equivalent of "eddie rake" - thought this book was wonderfully nostalgic and did a nice job of capturing the impact that certain people have had and continue to have on our lives... "
— Erin, 1/18/2014 -
" A great quick read that gives a look at some interesting characters. After reading the book, I feel like I was one of the boys playing football on that field. "
— Kyle, 11/26/2013 -
" Very good story line about coming home again. A big change from his courtroom thrillers. "
— Debebete, 10/13/2013 -
" Grisham has done better work. "
— John, 9/30/2013 -
" I usually love John Grisham books, but I couldn't really get into this book. An ex all american quarterback goes back to his hometown when he hears his coach is dying and talks to old players. Thats about all that happens. It was a quick read, but overall boring. "
— Rachel, 9/27/2013 -
" I had to fight my way thru this book. I guess I was expecting more excitement but I didn't ever find it. Sort of a reminiscence story looking back on the old High School days "
— Scott, 9/25/2013 -
" Very un-John Grisham like! It was a great football story. "
— Aletha, 9/13/2013 -
" *** definitely a 'GUY' book, women probably won't get it. Nice look at the 'glory days' of youth. "
— lunaticprophet, 9/9/2013 -
" Grisham kept me reading even-though it isn't my genre. I do live in a small town and my son was an athlete and so it took me back. "
— Grace, 8/15/2013 -
" I'm a fan of everything John Grisham writes. This is one of the few books out of all books that I've read, that brought tears to my eyes. I'll read it every 5 years or so. "
— Bruce, 7/27/2013 -
" Fun diversion from Grisham's great novels. Short and sweet. Very enjoyable. "
— Brandon, 4/14/2013 -
" I believe this book will be liked by the guys who had passed a great amount of time in the field rather than class. A good book to cherish missing moments of a game played in school days:) I liked it:) "
— Pawan, 1/20/2013 -
" One of my favorite books of all time -- this book defines my town to a tee. John Grisham makes the reader feel good at the end. Excellent job by Grisham. One of the best books he has written - if not the best. "
— Brandon, 10/17/2012 -
" My all time favorite Grisham "
— Jonathan, 9/4/2012 -
" This is a great book for guys, especially football players. "
— Janet, 8/28/2012 -
" Reminds me of the old glory days. "
— Chris, 8/18/2012 -
" completely opposite of what you'd expect from him...but still great "
— Ingrid, 7/21/2012 -
" I usually don't read Grisham, but this was very different from his usual books. I enjoyed it, though after reading, I read a lot of reviews that said I wasn't supposed to have liked it. I guess I've always been a contrarian! "
— Nancy, 3/24/2012 -
" All of my John Grisham reviews, no matter what the genre of the book, will be the same. Well-researched and well-written they make a fantastic read, no matter if it's law based or not. Don't worry about the jargon, you'll soon get used to it. "
— Sarah, 12/9/2011 -
" It took me a while to get interested in this book - and I LIKE football. I persevered though and it ended up being a very emotional ride. Grisham is really good at making you care about his characters that way. "
— Lora, 5/26/2011 -
" Not too bad, but it was kind of slow. "
— Kierstin, 5/20/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Neely, was well constructed. It was one of those books where I am left wanting it to be a series so I can read more about the lives of the characters. "
— Katherine, 4/28/2011 -
" An interesting book. Not much plot depth, but interesting characters. A good, short read. Not your typical Grisham novel (this coming from someone who has now read to Grisham novels). "
— Graham, 4/25/2011 -
" different than most Grisham books, but was still worth reading. "
— Tyler, 4/19/2011 -
" This is about a tough football coach. I am not into football so it didn't interest me much, but people who are into football might enjoy it. "
— Kirei, 4/19/2011 -
" Not one of his better books. "
— Cactuskid2, 4/19/2011 -
" An extremely quick & easy read. A good simple story that reminds me of one of those old after-school specials that I used to get sucked into. The ending could have been developed much better than it was. "
— Tracy, 4/4/2011 -
" Story was very predictable but as always, well written. "
— Linda, 4/2/2011 -
" It is a short read, in somewhat of Grisham's story telling fashion. I enjoyed this book and though <br/>not the page burner some of his are, it is pleasant, has a little intrigue, and faces/challenges the main characters personal demons he is dealing with on a personal basis. Ok Read. "
— Carol, 4/1/2011 -
" This novel is a quick read.. God, I did not like it at all! I thought that it was good, and that it may even be compared to Grisham's other novel involving football, "Playing for Pizza," which I like very much. I just finished it because I already started reading it. "
— Raul, 3/13/2011 -
" This book was a quick read, and it was not a bad read. It was about football, which I'm not really into, but it was also about life, which I am really into. If half stars were allowed i would give it 2 1/2 stars...half way between "it was okay" and "I liked it." "
— Dee, 3/12/2011 -
" I'm a fan of everything John Grisham writes. This is one of the few books out of all books that I've read, that brought tears to my eyes. I'll read it every 5 years or so. <br/> "
— Bruce, 3/5/2011 -
" If I didn't know better, I'd say John Grisham played football at Warner Robins High School! "
— Debbie, 3/5/2011 -
" Audio more like a short story about a high school football coach and the players. maybe Saturday Nights Lights was a spin off of this book. "
— Irene, 2/28/2011
About John Grisham
John Grisham is the author of more than thirty-five novels, one work of nonfiction, a collection of stories, and seven novels for young readers. Thirty-three of his crime thrillers have made the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list