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Bleachers
Author: John Grisham

Book Information
Publisher: Doubleday
Book Type: Hardcover
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780385511612 - ISBN-10: 0385511612
Publication Date: 9/9/2003
Pages: 176


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Paperback, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio CD (Unabridged)

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.

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.


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Top Member Book Reviews

Kate H. wrote on 7/20/2006...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Me and a couple of friends read this book for school and we all loved it. It's a sad tale of a small town losing they're amazing football coach, Coach Rake, that led them to many victories and an all-american quarterback, Neely Crenshaw, coming back to his small hometown to mourn the death of his coach. In this book the characters share many stories of thier times with Rake and what really went on in the locker room during the championship game.

Alana K. (bookqueen) wrote on 12/31/2005...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

I hope this is one of the next movies made out of one of his books for the layout was very well done. I am not much of a football fan though I felt I traveled back in history as each character told their story.

Shilo A. (bookreadingshi) wrote on 10/3/2005...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

I had a hard time getting started with this, but once I got into it, it was a decent book. I don't consider myself a big Grisham fan. The style of writing just doesn't work for me.

Cheryl M. wrote on 9/4/2005...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

High School football team mates who return to their high school after their coach edies and the impact he had on each of their lives... very different John Grisham book!!! Quick read!!!

June C. wrote on 4/4/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

A different Grisham book but a very easy read. About a group of football stars from a small town back for their old coaches funeral. I think guys would like this book for the play by play of the past games they played. Loved it myself, and I'm not a guy.

Frances T. wrote on 3/24/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

It was not the crime novels I am used to by Grisham, but it takes us back to the teen years of his main character, and how he feels, and used to feel about someone.

Sally W. wrote on 3/10/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Different for Grisham...enjoyed reading from his different perspective.

Franceen T. wrote on 10/21/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

A very small, but enjoying read. Certainly different from the other Grisham books.

Loah H. (zuphoto) wrote on 8/8/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book is a great read for the lover of football. It shows a truth to how a once loved football player can loose love and fail all without knowing it till the end when it is too late. John Grisham is a great writer and the book won't take long to get through it. I think every young football player should read it!

Christina C. (cottre26) - MI wrote on 5/14/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I didn't really like this book, but I think it may just not be my kind of story. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and it just never did.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Cara (cheddy) wrote on 4/7/2009...


One-dimensional characters gather to say farewell to their iconic high school football coach, Eddie Rake. This controversial figure touched the lives of all of his players over the thirty years that he coached the Messina Spartans. What makes the story appealing, is that the main character, Neely Crenshaw is so believable, the divorced, former All-American quarterback who suffered a career-ending knee injury.
It appears that this book is really a short story, an assignment from writing class that begins something like, pick a moment where you felt profound emotion and blow it up. This story is really one moment in time that is exploded over a course of three days.

Christina D. (littlebit19792003) wrote on 2/13/2009...


This book is very good. Is is set with a sports like theme but has a deep meaning to it. I do not like sports in anyway but this book was excellent.

Kathy D. wrote on 8/23/2008...


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.

Michele S. (luluinphilly) wrote on 3/21/2008...


From my parents. They love John Grisham but they weren't crazy about this book. Deals with baseball.

Cassandra S. (coloradoreader) wrote on 2/7/2008...


An interesting story about past football players in a small town and how they remember their coach. A departure from the typical John Grisham, but a great read.

Malina J. (masonsmom) wrote on 2/20/2007...


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...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.

Eli O. (Eli) wrote on 2/12/2007...


Not one of Grisham's best, but still excellent.

Mike S. (MichaelS) wrote on 1/15/2007...


This was a pretty good story...not great.


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