Bleachers

Author: John Grisham

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Sport

First Published: May 7, 2003

Book 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.

As Coach Rake's 'boys' sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake – or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, still struggling to come to terms with his explosive relationship with the Coach, his dreams of a great career in the NFL, and the choices he made as a young man, the stakes could not be higher.

Review:

I just finished reading a sporty book and I have to say, it was such an enjoyable read! The characters were so well developed and I found myself really invested in their stories. The storytelling was top-notch and had a heartwarming quality to it that left me feeling really satisfied. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read with some sports-related content.

If you're in the mood for a legal thriller, I wouldn't recommend BLEACHERS. It's definitely not what you're looking for!

Neely Crenshaw takes center stage, as he reminisces about the life of the legendary coach Eddie Rake. The story follows the highs and lows of their relationship and the toll that Rake's relentless drive for success took on the team. It's a gripping tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

As the lights on Rake Field dimmed, much of the team joined Crenshaw. Silo Mooney was there, the bad boy nose tackle who always seemed to revel in hurting his opponents. Nat Sawyer, the weak link in the team, was also there. And so was Paul Curry, Crenshaw's best friend in high school, and Mal Brown, who was now the town sheriff. As they waited for the symbolic dimming of the lights to signal the coach's death, they relived their glory days. They replayed the miraculous championship game of the 1987 season and struggled with their decision as to whether they loved or hated the coach's memory and the effect he had on all of their lives. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with nostalgia and regret. But in the end, they all knew that they were better for having been a part of the team, and that the coach had played a significant role in shaping who they had become.

There are a lot of questions in the past relationship between the coach and the players, so you do get a touch of mystery. The fact that is not a legal thriller, made the intrigue be less alluring, yet the characters are portrayed in a way that you are invested in them. I could not put it down until I found out the big secret. It wasn't as interesting reveal as I wanted but the bait worked, I started and completed the book the same day.

Grisham's take on amateur and professional sports in North America has sparked countless controversial discussions. On one hand, there is the win-at-all-costs mentality that often overshadows the true value of sportsmanship. The glorification of sports heroes and celebrities has become an obsession that seems to have no real-world value. Moreover, the physical wear and tear on young people who are pushed to compete beyond their limits is concerning. And let's not forget the groupies who blindly worship their sports idols, willing to do anything to be close to them. On the other hand, there is something truly beautiful about the colorblindness of physical achievement in sports. The drive and mental discipline instilled by sports carry over into other areas of life, allowing athletes to excel in various endeavors. The camaraderie and synergy of being part of a team that values success over individual performance is truly inspiring. In the end, Grisham's thoughts on sports have stirred up a lot of emotions, and it's up to each individual to decide what they think about the best and worst aspects of sports in North America.

So moving on to the negative aspects: Romance or romantic pinning is definitely not his forte. We have the All American regretting his first love, and he is as winny and immature as if he still was in high school. He needs to see that one girl he left behind to chase easier skirts and handles it all awfully. In the end, it's also very annoying that she still has a soft spot for him, but oh well. It does fit the character, it's just annoying.

This was used for the author Challenge: I am currently working on going through all of Grisham's backlog stories.