Bleachers by John Grisham: For 34 years Eddie Rake coached football in Messina. Now Coach Rake is dying of cancer. In his last days, word went out, and former players began returning to Messina to hold a vigil.
This is the story of that vigil, and the memorial service that took place after Coach passed away. It is a bittersweet story of several men who, as teenagers, played for Rake. They gather in the stands of Rake Field, drink beer, and reminisce. Some have become successes, some have not, but they all have the glory days of high school football in common. This is the time to share that commonality.
I was moved by this book. It brought back memories of my high school time in a very small community. The game of choice there was basketball, instead of football, but the feelings of the community were the same. For several years, we had a losing team, then Coach Piper came on the scene. He succeeded where other coaches failed. This novel reminded me of those days where our Tigers, my brother included, brought home trophy after trophy.
A feel-good read, this is a short book. Very unlike you expect from Grisham, but in the same flavor as his Playing for Pizza.
Happy Reading,
JE
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