1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERRick Dockery is the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the AFC Championship game, to the surprise and dismay of virtually everyone, Rick actually gets into the game. With a seventeen-point lead and just minutes to go, Rick provides what is arguably the worst single performance in the history of the NFL. Overnight, he becomes a national … national laughingstock—and is immediately cut by the Browns and shunned by all other teams.
But all Rick knows is football, and he insists that his agent find a team that needs him. Against enormous odds, Rick finally gets a job—as the starting quarterback for the Mighty Panthers . . . of Parma, Italy. The Parma Panthers desperately want a former NFL player—any former NFL player—at their helm. And now they’ve got Rick, who knows nothing about Parma (not even where it is) and doesn’t speak a word of Italian. To say that Italy—the land of fine wines, extremely small cars, and football americano—holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement.
BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from John Grisham’s The Litigators.
more
After choking in a game which would have sent the Cleveland Browns to their first Super Bowl, Rick Docker is the biggest goat in NFL history (and I don’t mean a GOAT like Tom Brady.) The only team willing to take a chance on him is the Panthers… of Parma, Italy. Playing for Pizza is the story of Rick Dockery’s transition to Italy and to Italian football. Based on an actual team and league, Grisham has spun a memorable tale, and you don’t need to be a sports fan to enjoy it. One of my absolute favorite Grisham novels and a perfect fall read!
This was a book I did not expect to like. However perusing the bookshelves one night when I was desperate for something to read i came upon this. Did you know they play American football in Italy? Me either. Since I have zero interest in sports I would have passed it by but it was by John Grisham. So I figured there was a mystery courtroom drama hidden in there somewhere. Wrong. It’s about an American football player who winds up on the down side of his career playing in the Italian league. It’s full of warmth and charm. Loved it.
Original and unique story,
Fun book. Really enjoyable. So different from his “lawyer style” books.
Not the normal Grisham book. Different but still good.
Enjoyed the adventure.
Not his besr book but maybe the funniest
A travelogue through Italy and their customs as seen thru the eyes of a football (American) play unable to make it in the NFL, who then plays for a team in a rag-tag league in Italy. Sometimes paid in “pizza”, thus the name. Trying to make it in a strange land and get noticed back home, arrives with every intent to leave as soon as possible, then ends up loving it. An easy, no-brainer read.
Sports oriented.
A hard to like main character that has you on his side by the end. Great atmosphere.
Finished 12/08
Get real.
I would pick this out of all of Grisham’s novels as my favorite read. It is about a football player who is washed up in the United States, and very reluctantly, and arrogantly goes to Italy to play on a semi-pro team. He finds a life, and comes to respect and then love the Italian culture and people.
Love novels in which the author gives you insight and appreciation of something outside your normal sphere. When the author does so while being entertaining and endearing, that is a great read.
This book had me wanting to visit Italy. I did and I loved it. A fun and an excellent read. John Grisham killed it in this one.
I loved the book until the last few chapters. I felt the protagonist needed to wind up with the Italian girl rather than a girl from the States. Prolly just me, but…
I always enjoy reading John Gresham. This was enjoyable, if not one of his best.
This book makes me hungry!
Who ever thought John Grisham would write a book about an American playing football in Italy. I loved i!
A very good read, not predictable at all
Different from other Grisham books, but very entertaining.
This was a neat little story that was surprising for this author. The Euro travel was enjoyable as well.