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Playing for Pizza: A Novel Audiobook, by John Grisham Play Audiobook Sample

Playing for Pizza: A Novel Audiobook

Playing for Pizza: A Novel Audiobook, by John Grisham Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Christopher Evan Welch Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: September 2007 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780739359105

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

106

Longest Chapter Length:

05:07 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:14 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

03:53 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

56

Other Audiobooks Written by John Grisham: > View All...

Publisher Description

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–for 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, has never been to Europe, and doesn’t speak or understand a word of Italian. To say that Italy holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement.

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"I really liked this book. Not a typical John Grisham book, but if you enjoy football this is a great coming of age story about a quarterback. Like a typical male, the maturity process is slower than a female's, I think he's close to 30 :)"

— Gloria (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • Fans of John Grisham live for his legal thrillers, but now and then he serves up something unexpected. That’s exactly what he does, with great success, in Playing for Pizza.

    — USA Today
  • Enthralling.

    — People
  • Score another one for Grisham...This is a fish-out-of-water tale that perfectly suits his strengths as a storyteller.

    — USA Today
  • A light-hearted story of football, food and love.

    — Richmond Times-Dispatch
  • Football in Italy? Who knew? Grisham means to have a sweet time with this story of a fallen NFL quarterback. And he does.

    — Daily News (New York)
  • Delightfully comic...a deeply satisfying story.

    — The Boston Globe
  • Charming...the author's love letter to Italy.

    — Publishers Weekly

Playing for Pizza Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.388888888888889 out of 53.388888888888889 out of 53.388888888888889 out of 53.388888888888889 out of 53.388888888888889 out of 5 (3.39)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 13
2 Stars: 6
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I liked the book. It showed that everybody has a place in this world and you don't have to be a million dollar player to be happy. "

    — Jesse broughton, 5/26/2016
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I think Grisham should stick to his law books. This one was not nearly as good as his others in my opinion "

    — Audrey, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Enjoyed this story love football and love love :) "

    — Darlene, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this story. Loved the tiny peak into pro football. DEFINITELY makes me want to visit Italy. As if I really need another reason to want to travel. "

    — Jeri, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is not typical Grisham. Kind of pointless, really. "

    — Beth, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Picked this book up while at my mom's home. Quick read & not your typical Grisham & not my favorite "

    — Dawnette, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " it helped get me to sleep at night. "

    — Tina, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fast, easy read, nice departure from Grisham's courtroom thrillers. "

    — Lori, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really like Grishams regular crime/law fiction and took a chance on this and was happy I did. Very good book and funny. "

    — Tom, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fun book, with lots of yummy food descriptions! "

    — Patricia, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another Grisham but with a twist.....No Lawyers (as main characters), a very fluffy light read - and enough of a story to hold my attention.....even though I am NOT a football fan. "

    — Kerry, 1/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A smaller light read, not the typical Grisham novel but about Italy and football "

    — Lee, 1/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I understand the book wasn't that good. But I still loved it. "

    — Jenna, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A quick read left me wanting to travel to italy. Not the best book written by Grisham but not a waste of time either. "

    — Jamie, 12/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved this book, being from Cleveland, Ohio...thoroughly enjoyed, thanks SO MUCH Mr. Grisham!!!!!! "

    — Mary, 11/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Pleasant little vanity book that I liked. This story is less serious, and more humorous, than Bleachers. "

    — Jeff, 7/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Easy read. Need to plan a trip to Italy. "

    — Jloanmom, 5/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I enjoyed this - which surprised me as I'm not much of a football fan. But I enjoyed the relationships, and the great descriptions of the food! "

    — Jan, 4/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Easy read, not typical Gresham. My eyes glazed over during the football games, which he wrote play-for-play. But I loved the descriptions of food and the small travelogues. "

    — Tara, 3/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " an enjoyable read even if you don't know much about football "

    — Judith, 3/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I'm a John Grisham fan, although I'm not much of a football fan. I enjoyed the book. It was a quick, easy read. However, when it ended, I was left with the "That was it?" feeling. It just ended, that's all. No wind up, no ends tied up--it just ended. "

    — Barb, 12/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " How do you not love a book that takes place in Italy! My second John Grisham ever and I loved it. I look forward to reading more from him! "

    — Jill, 12/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " usually like Grisham books better then this one. I kept waiting for the plot. It never really happens, kind of became one of those 'life just happens to you when you are busy making other plans' kind of book "

    — Ginger, 11/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good story, but a little benign. The ending leaves you wanting more ... count on a sequel. "

    — Andrea, 9/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " My first JG. There are few paragraphs that remind me of DS's impersonal style. But overall I like JG better than DS. And the food described is tantalizing. "

    — Yunisa, 5/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not typically John Grisham, but a good read nonetheless. A second, second chance book. Loved his NFL record, especially with the Browns. "

    — Jsbiddle, 3/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not quite a 4 star but almost, so I rounded it up. As I was reading this book, the movie Mr. Baseball with Tom Selleck had been on. There are some similarities between this book and that movie but I still enjoyed it. "

    — Toni, 11/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Only Grisham novel I've read and I really enjoyed it. Fun read combining American football and Italy, not a courtroom in sight. "

    — Harry, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this book. It's a different side of Grisham and found it an enjoyable light read. "

    — Jason, 5/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I couldn't finish this book. I have yet to find a Grisham book that I disliked, until this one. Not typical Grisham, boring, dragged on and unbearable. I'll stick with his thrillers from now on. "

    — Lecy, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Love this book. Fun, easy, short read. "

    — Ben, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A quick read. It would probably be more interesting if you like football. I loved hearing about Italy, and now I need to go out for some really great Italian food! "

    — Katie, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Two of my favourite things. Pizza and football. It's been a while, maybe 2 or 3 years since I've read it but I found it heartwarming and great. "

    — Gabi, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It was a cute book but not having any knowledge of football plays etc a lot was boring the boy girl aspect of it was nice and you were left not knowing if Rick stayed in Italy but my guess would be that he did with Livvy. "

    — Gail, 4/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Nice feel-good story, uncomplicated, with very detailed descriptions of Italy, food and some great football plays. We actually listened to the audio book on the way to ATL and then back home and made for a good discussion while at our destination. "

    — Collin, 4/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " There are a lot of good books out there waiting to be read.<br/>This isn't one of them. "

    — Abby, 4/20/2011

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