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Playing for Pizza: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 21,066 listener ratings
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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
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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
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" 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 -
" 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 -
" Enjoyed this story love football and love love :) "
— Darlene, 2/19/2014 -
" 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 -
" This is not typical Grisham. Kind of pointless, really. "
— Beth, 2/15/2014 -
" Picked this book up while at my mom's home. Quick read & not your typical Grisham & not my favorite "
— Dawnette, 2/1/2014 -
" it helped get me to sleep at night. "
— Tina, 1/31/2014 -
" Fast, easy read, nice departure from Grisham's courtroom thrillers. "
— Lori, 1/28/2014 -
" 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 -
" Fun book, with lots of yummy food descriptions! "
— Patricia, 1/16/2014 -
" 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 -
" A smaller light read, not the typical Grisham novel but about Italy and football "
— Lee, 1/2/2014 -
" I understand the book wasn't that good. But I still loved it. "
— Jenna, 12/21/2013 -
" 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 -
" Loved this book, being from Cleveland, Ohio...thoroughly enjoyed, thanks SO MUCH Mr. Grisham!!!!!! "
— Mary, 11/28/2013 -
" Pleasant little vanity book that I liked. This story is less serious, and more humorous, than Bleachers. "
— Jeff, 7/31/2013 -
" Easy read. Need to plan a trip to Italy. "
— Jloanmom, 5/30/2013 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" an enjoyable read even if you don't know much about football "
— Judith, 3/4/2013 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" Good story, but a little benign. The ending leaves you wanting more ... count on a sequel. "
— Andrea, 9/23/2012 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" I loved this book. It's a different side of Grisham and found it an enjoyable light read. "
— Jason, 5/10/2011 -
" 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 -
" Love this book. Fun, easy, short read. "
— Ben, 5/6/2011 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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
About Christopher Evan Welch
Angela Goethals is a native New Yorker who has appeared on and off Broadway in Picnic, Four Baboons Adoring the Sun, and The Good Times Are Killing Me, for which she won an Obie Award and a Drama Desk nomination. Since moving to Los Angeles with her husband, she has appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, Without a Trace, and Boston Public, with a recurring role on 24.