![]() That he finds true happiness after he picks up a Georgia cheerleader at a sidewalk cafe is only fitting, I suppose. Its dramatic arc roughly resembles that of Coach Clair Bee's adolescent Chip Hilton stories-the early defeat that teaches a lesson, the loss of an injured star, the coming together against adversity, the improbable upset victory-while its lead character, Rick Dockery, is the sort of implausible American boor usually seen in dopey television commercials. The contrived, game-by-game (and even play-by-play) adventures of a real team in a real league that even the Italians don't care about. The book rumbles straight ahead, as simple and direct and unadorned as a fullback pushing up the middle for a three-yard gain. ![]() ![]() ![]() The suspense builds as the veteran Grisham reader waits for the surprising plot turn, or the overlooked character detail on which the story will pivot, or the unveiling of a mystery begging to be solved. ![]() Unfortunately, neglected the primary duty of the storyteller, which is to tell a story. What could have been a painful exile for a disgraced American quarterback becomes a delightfully unexpected homecoming. He also has a penchant for humorous dialogue. Grisham is a storyteller who keeps the narrative flowing at a swift pace. ![]()
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