Bleachers

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: John Grisham

Length: 4 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2003 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2003 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Grisham]'s a sure-footed story-teller with an undeniable mastery of plotting, pacing and tone." (The New York Times Book Review)

Well done

This novelette was well wriitten. It seems like one of those good YA stories that hold up for an adult audience. The reader is kept in a state of suspense that is just about right. Many coming of age themes are visited. I like Grisham's narration & the guest narration was excellent.

Stereotypical former athlete from a small town book.

Good writing and story telling but it is nothing more than your regular former athletic star from a small town gets injured and then returns when he didn’t want to B movie type book.

Where is the Lawyer?

I loved it!! I loved it, not because the lawyer was missing but because it is such a great story and because the author read it so well. My son hopes to be a high school history teach and coach soccer. What a noble ambition. I called him up and told him he needs to read this book. I think I?ll read it again. I rarely read books twice.

Not Grisham's best, but a good audiobook.

Like The Painted House, this book is different than other Grisham books. While I hated The Pained House, Bleachers wasn't bad. I still prefer the fast pace and twists of Grisham's "lawyer" books, but Bleachers was a nice break. I was somewhat disappointed in Grisham's reading.

this narrator is the most

this narrator is one of the most amazing story tellers if ever heard. He is comforting... real....true to the story.

Great Read!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a great read for anyone who played high school football or just high school sports in general!

Grisham excels!

I didn't expect to enjoy this book so much. I enjoy football, but this was so much more than just a sports story. I ended the book in tears. John Grisham is a wonderful writer of court room drama and suspense, but he is so much more and he has proved it by his Painted House and Bleachers!

Deep with something I couldn't find

Bleachers was enjoyable and I could relate to some of the small-town ramblings but overall, it left me not wanting to hear it again. It's worth the time - but not twice.

Quick Read

This book is quick read. I finished the book within a week. I loaned it out to a friend and she finished it in two sittings. Being from a small town in the south she stated that John Grisham captured the flavor of what it is like plying football in a small town in the south. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Memories

This book will bring back a lot of memories, some good some not so good, if you went to high school. I didn't play football but had a lot of similiar experiences as found in this book.