Saturday, April 10, 2004
 
Book Review: Full Court Press by Mike Lupica (2001)

I picked this book up in a Barnes and Noble in Springfield last year. Off the remainder rack, for $6.95, so don't think I am out there buying all sorts of expensive books. However, based on this book, I'd be happy to buy another of Lupica's novels.

The story revolves around the recruiting of an American ex-pat living in Europe to a struggling NBA team. After seeing D. Gerard play in a charity game, scout Eddie Holtz is determined to bring him back to play for the New York Knights. When D. Gerard removes a cap, Eddie's shocked to see it's a woman. He think she's got enough game to run with the males in the NBA, and he convinces Dee that she ought to take her shot at the big time. He convinces his boss to take a shot on integrating the NBA, and the boss is happy to, if only for the novelty. But when Dee starts to play, she's got to prove she deserves to be in the NBA.

Seemed to me that the first Lupica book I read was a mystery, so I almost expected a corpse to turn up in this book. Well, one does, sort of; but it's not a mystery. It's a mainstream novel, one I could enjoy. I don't watch basketball as a matter of course, but the book conveyed enough authenticity in digestible form that my rudimentary knowledge of the game didn't hinder my comprehension.

Most of all, I liked Lupica's writing style. Easy to read, smooth and comprehensible, kinda like Guinness for the eyes. Of course, I remarked to Heather that Lupica's style is rather like my own. So perhaps I am prejudiced.

For those of us keeping score at home, this is the 19 book I have read this year, and the 18th review you've suffered through. Thanks. And sorry for the review for the missing book, which you'll suffer through when I get around to it.

- posted by Brian J. @ 9:49 PM
Comments: Post a Comment

<< Home
 
To say Noggle, one first must be able to say the "Nah."