49 pages 1 hour read

John Grisham

Bleachers

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2003

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Bleachers, former all-American quarterback Neely Crenshaw returns to his hometown of Messina after 15 years to reunite with former teammates as their legendary coach, Eddie Rake, lies dying. As they reminisce on the bleachers, Neely confronts past mistakes, rekindles old relationships, and learns about forgiveness and the complexities of glory and heroism in small-town football culture. The novel includes themes of bullying, physical abuse, and the death of a young athlete.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

John Grisham's Bleachers presents a nostalgic look at high school football. Readers appreciated the vivid portrayal of small-town America and the exploration of past glories and regrets. Some found the character development lacking and the pace slower than Grisham's typical thrillers. Overall, it captures the bittersweet essence of revisiting youthful memories.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Bleachers?

Readers who enjoy Bleachers by John Grisham are often fans of introspective sports fiction and nostalgic tales of American football. Ideal for those who appreciate works like H.G. Bissinger's Friday Night Lights and Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon Days, the book delves into themes of camaraderie, regret, and reconciliation.

RecommendedReading Age

13-18years

Book Details

Topics

Sports

Relationships

Themes

Relationships: Teams

Society: Community

Identity: Masculinity

Genre

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction