mward7777's review against another edition
4.0
I am not a sports fan but I did grow up in a small town. When I began reading this book i didn't really like it but got caught up in the stories and by the end I was crying my eyes out.
sarose13's review against another edition
4.0
This book definitely gave me “Friday Night Lights” vibes! And just like the show, even though I’m not a football fanatic, I still cared about the characters and the community. I felt like I really got to know Coach Rake and his legacy. Probably would have appreciated it more if I did know more football culture and lingo but still good!
samnetzband's review against another edition
2.0
I normally love John Grisham’s book, but this was really hard to get through. I’ve got read some of his other sports books like Calico Joe, but The Bleachers lacked the compelling story that Calico Joe had. There didn’t really seem to be a hook, but rather a bunch of sad old football players reminiscing about high school. No one likes when people do this in real life so why write a book about it. I’ll definitely keep reading Grisham but will be going back to his legal thrillers before attempting any more of his sports stories.
anne_11_k's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
justkaty's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
uncle_nino's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Bleachers by John Grisham
🌟🌟🌟stars
There are mixed reviews for this one, and I suspected as much. If this didn't affect a reader, it's likely they 1). Don't care about football. 2).Never had a coach, teacher, or adult mentor influence their lives into adulthood.
This is a nostalgic piece about a high school football program and a dying coach. As it progresses, it's clear that it's about much more than football.
It also encompasses regrets. Regrets from mistakes made from lost love to lost freedom. I have an understanding of zealots. I don't necessarily agree or join in the ridiculous fever, but I accept that it exists. I mean, if people can get into screaming arguments over which senile corrupt old man they want as president, they can get obsessed over a way of life that football has guided.
This town and high school may be fictional, but there are towns and high schools all over that resemble this one.
At first, this just wasn't for me. Old teammates sitting in the bleachers of their hometown high school and reminiscing didn't make me feel anything. However, the more it progressed, the more I understood the impact and the bigger picture. I think Grisham conveyed that beautifully. From the reliving a championship football game to the eulogies at the end, it had a measure of impassioned feeling that was hot-blooded and fiery, then heartwarming and moving.
For me, it was just that.
🌟🌟🌟stars
There are mixed reviews for this one, and I suspected as much. If this didn't affect a reader, it's likely they 1). Don't care about football. 2).Never had a coach, teacher, or adult mentor influence their lives into adulthood.
This is a nostalgic piece about a high school football program and a dying coach. As it progresses, it's clear that it's about much more than football.
It also encompasses regrets. Regrets from mistakes made from lost love to lost freedom. I have an understanding of zealots. I don't necessarily agree or join in the ridiculous fever, but I accept that it exists. I mean, if people can get into screaming arguments over which senile corrupt old man they want as president, they can get obsessed over a way of life that football has guided.
This town and high school may be fictional, but there are towns and high schools all over that resemble this one.
At first, this just wasn't for me. Old teammates sitting in the bleachers of their hometown high school and reminiscing didn't make me feel anything. However, the more it progressed, the more I understood the impact and the bigger picture. I think Grisham conveyed that beautifully. From the reliving a championship football game to the eulogies at the end, it had a measure of impassioned feeling that was hot-blooded and fiery, then heartwarming and moving.
For me, it was just that.
tamaralgage1's review against another edition
3.0
Where to begin with my thoughts on this book? Well it did not suck. If you ever had the desire to be on the inside of a tight network called "the good old boys club", this book tells the story of dynasty football program as the players revisit their past {the good and the bad} as their coach is moments away from death. Their love / hate relationship with the coach is shared by each player in different ways. The effect he had on their lives was extreme. In the end, they come to terms with their emotions.
It's not a spellbinder, not romance, not a comedy.... I think it's a glimpse inside a world that I was never a part of ... thank god.
It's not a spellbinder, not romance, not a comedy.... I think it's a glimpse inside a world that I was never a part of ... thank god.
shanviolinlove's review against another edition
2.0
I was not sure, at first, if I could get into a book about football. Based on how comparatively short it was (at least from the other novels I completed over break), I figured, OK. I can get through this.
Not the greatest work by Grisham, not by far, but it is a very intriguing work. I like how he captured the nostalgia of "glory days" and could recognize a lot of my own community members in the men on the bleachers, regaling their old sports stories, remembering every ridiculous detail. The bleachers are significant; a very important event in Coach Rake's life happened here. People loved him here, people hated him here, but everyone remembered him here.
Cameron reminds me of girls I know, practical girls, girls who can pick themselves up from any damage. Shocking how it takes ten years to recover from heartbreak. And I love Nat; he's a sweetie.
Not the greatest work by Grisham, not by far, but it is a very intriguing work. I like how he captured the nostalgia of "glory days" and could recognize a lot of my own community members in the men on the bleachers, regaling their old sports stories, remembering every ridiculous detail. The bleachers are significant; a very important event in Coach Rake's life happened here. People loved him here, people hated him here, but everyone remembered him here.
Cameron reminds me of girls I know, practical girls, girls who can pick themselves up from any damage. Shocking how it takes ten years to recover from heartbreak. And I love Nat; he's a sweetie.
angie91's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0