Playing For Pizza

Examine Grisham’s depiction of people working in professional football, such as Rick’s sports agent Arnie and the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ coach Rat Mullins. How are they characterized? What is their wider significance in the text?

Compare and contrast the characters of Gabriella Ballini and Livvy Galloway. How are gender roles and dynamics depicted in the text? How does Rick’s attitude and behavior toward women change over the course of the novel?

How does the novel explore the nature of teamwork? What qualities does the novel suggest are essential to being an effective team player?

Explore the cultural differences between Rick and his Italian teammates. How does the novel explore culture shock and adaptation to a new culture?

What is the role of family in the novel? Consider Livvy’s family troubles, Rick’s emails with his parents, and the families of the Italian players. How do different characters experience, or conceive of, familial ties?

Analyze the role of media and public perception in the text. How do the media and Rick’s struggles with his career trajectory explore some of the pressures of life in the public eye?

How does Rick’s attitude toward professional football change over the course of the novel? What does the novel suggest about the nature of both professional and amateur sports?

The novel explores the challenges and rewards of responsibility and loyalty. How does Rick’s character arc reflect these challenges and rewards? How do these concepts illuminate the novel’s key themes and ideas?