Krishna
Though an overwhelming number of John Grisham’s books are about law and courts, and you have come to expect it from the author of such books as The Street Lawyer or The Chamber, and The King of Torts, he has the power to occasionally surprise you with a completely different subject matter. A Painted House is one such example and this book, Bleachers, is another. It is a small book and the story itself is simple.
Neely Crenshaw comes back after a long time to the Field in his hometown Messina. He had played in it as a boy. The famous coach Rake, whom he personally hated, lay dying.
He meets Paul Curry, his player from the old, who has stayed back in Messina. There are more characters introduced, all old players from various years : there is a lawyer, there is a businessman, there is a crook who has a shady auto parts business and has been in jail and another who is barely cognizant of things around him. There is a Sheriff who was an old player and you keep meeting these people slowly. Towering over them is Rake, who towered over the city even after his disgraceful dismissal after a massive scandal.
We learn the all American hero Neely suffered such injury that his career collapsed and another who threw himself at a player six times his size and got crippled as a result, earning eternal fame in that small city for saving the home team.
They talk about a player who died due to excessive drive by the coach and how the town mayor finally got rid of Eddie Rake. Rake becomes a recluse and avoids everyone, even though half the town supported him when he stood for election against the Mayor when he went for re-election and still lost.
What follows is a blow by blow account of a spectacular comeback victory for Spartans after Rake was dismissed. Unlike, for instance, The Girl Who Loved Flash Gordon from Stephen King, you will NOT enjoy this book unless you love the sport (football – sorry American Football – in this case).
However, there are some good surprises. Why Neely seemed to have a broken arm during the play where he and his team mates heroically saved the day, why the entire team decided to lock themselves in the locker room and refuse to accept the trophy on what was the greatest win for the Spartans ever, why Rake was not present for the second half most of the time until the winning goal. They all come together very well.
The surprising apology from Rake from beyond the grave comes as a surprise to the readers too.
The ending is classic Grisham. Not a bad book to read but not his best work either
6/ 10
– – Krishna