Bleachers

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: John Grisham

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A former high school football star bids farewell to his glory days in this poignant and nostalgic novel that’s “as taut and twisting as a well-thrown spiral” (People).

“[Grisham] makes this football game so real that the reader can almost see and hear it.”—The New York Times

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 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.

Critic reviews

“A sure-footed storyteller with an undeniable mastery of plotting, pacing, and tone.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Some of the best writing from Grisham . . . [He] makes Bleachers sing.”—Los Angeles Times

“Bleachers is touching not just because of its all-American story, but because its author is so sincere in telling it that it hurts.”—Boston Globe

“Engaging . . . There are echoes of Jason Miller’s Pulitzer Prize–winning play, That Championship Season, and Irwin Shaw’s classic short story, The Eight-Yard Run.”—USA Today

“Grisham’s theme is comfortably romantic: You can go home again . . . a reminder of what an effortless storyteller Grisham can be.”—Columbus Dispatch

“Grisham does a fine job of capturing the atmosphere in a small town where every store has the game schedule in the window and no one plans any other activities on Friday night.”—Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“With the Friday-night lights shining on football fields across the country, the bleachers filled with men who would gladly trade their aching knees for one more chance to be young gridiron gladiators, Grisham’s book should score big.”—Orlando Sentinel

“In Bleachers, the outcome is victory.”—New York Daily News

“Evocative.”—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“There’s plenty of play-by-play in Bleachers, whole games remembered with the dead-on accuracy of passion for the sport and shared experience.”—New Orleans Times-Picayune

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!

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.