John Grisham, it seems, loves Bologna. His driver in Bologna, Luca Patuelli says that perhaps he (Luca) has inspired the new book being written by Grisham. This is according to our local newspaper called "Bologna".
Actually Grisham had already based his last book, The Broker, in Bologna. As a recognition of his service to the tourism of the city, University of Bologna had invited him for a high profile thanks-giving in September 2005. To write "The Broker", Grisham had come to stay in Bologna for some time, for going around and checking all the details for his book.
Luca says, "He is a real nice person, does not give himself any airs."
About the insipration for Grisham's new book "Playing for Pizza" (According to Luca; personally to me this title sounds just like a pizza and a joke) that should come out in November, Luca says, "I don't know if I can say that I inspired it. However, Grisham did ask me how did I speak English so well and I told him that I was a player at the American football centre." Infact, Luca had played with Bologna Warriors first and then with Phoenix San Lazzaro. Grisham was amazed when he heard that there was American Football in Italy?
Luca says, "He is a real nice person, does not give himself any airs."
About the insipration for Grisham's new book "Playing for Pizza" (According to Luca; personally to me this title sounds just like a pizza and a joke) that should come out in November, Luca says, "I don't know if I can say that I inspired it. However, Grisham did ask me how did I speak English so well and I told him that I was a player at the American football centre." Infact, Luca had played with Bologna Warriors first and then with Phoenix San Lazzaro. Grisham was amazed when he heard that there was American Football in Italy?
So they say that Luca took him to the tiny town of Scandiano to watch the Italian Superbowl 2007 between Lions Bergamo and Panthers Parma. However, Luca denies it, "No, that is not true. I couldn't take him to any match because at that time the season was already over."
The hero of "Playing for Pizza" is a player of the American national league, who is forced to leave USA and who accepts to play for Parma Panthers.
The hero of "Playing for Pizza" is a player of the American national league, who is forced to leave USA and who accepts to play for Parma Panthers.
Note: The pictures of John Grisham in this post are from his visit to Bologna University in 2005.
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Wow John Grisham is one of my favorite authors. I was reluctant to buy his latest book because it's not about law and I somehow felt that he might not have written something really good this time but now I am really curious. I think I will read the book.
ReplyDeleteI hope some day we will also come to Italy and see cities we have only read or seen in images.