Love's Winning Plays: A Novel - Hardcover

Inman Majors

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0393062805 ISBN 13: 9780393062809

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 2012

Synopsis

Ever wondered why college football coaches wear visors at night and always chew gum with their mouths open?

Though the Southeastern Conference football season is still months away, the fans’ obsession is year-round. So head coach Von Driver will take his motivational magic and his Isosceles Triangle of Success on a Pigskin Cavalcade to the small towns in the state. Raymond Love, a young coach unfamiliar with the banquet circuit of big-shot boosters and chat-room gurus, will go along as his wide-eyed errand boy.

Also on the trip is the athletic director’s daughter, whom Love has tried to win by joining her book club―a dubious strategy at best. The football aspects of the Cavalcade will prove child’s play compared to the literary hazards he faces.

Will Love master the art of coach-speak? Will he win the affection of the girl? Find out in this fist-bumping, high-fiving, all-out comedic blitz about the sublimely ridiculous world of college football.

About this title

About the Author

Inman Majors teaches fiction writing at James Madison University. He is the author of Wonderdog, Swimming in Sky, and The Millionaires. He lives in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Review

“A sardonic, fun take on big-time college football, where booster money plays first-team offense.”
- Kirkus Reviews

“A book that explores the gamut of experiences behind the scenes of collegiate football. Best of all, it's a great read where loyalty still means something in our ‘money talks’ world.”
- Jon Gruden, ESPN Monday Night Football Analyst

[A] funny, irreverent, and savvy sports novel.”
- Publishers Weekly

“Love's Winning Plays is one great big tailgate party.  Inman Majors is Roy Blount Jr. crossed with Dan Jenkins.”
- Allen Barra, author of The Last Coach

“A fast, fun book. Reads like a mixture of Dan Jenkins and Larry McMurtry.”
- Barry Switzer, former coach of the University of Oklahoma and the Dallas Cowboys

“Not since Lucky Jim has there been as lovable a hapless hero as Raymond Love. Lovable Love. In Inman Majors' romp through big-time college football, love is all fumbles, yet we cheer every play. What a smart, funny novel.”
- Roger Rosenblatt

“A rare football book for both the fanatic and non-worshiper alike. You'll meet those characters who populate every watering hole on the college circuit. Inman Majors' Coach Woody will have you chuckling out loud as Coach Love searches for his best play, yet. A superb read by a fine, young writer who understands football.”
- Brent Musburger

“I can’t remember the last time I laughed out loud this much reading a book.”
- Metropulse

“It is a gem of a comedic novel, so laugh-out loud funny that readers might not even notice that if also captures the essence of the sport with humanity and grace.”
- Chapter 16

“Majors’s wry and intelligent writing style pulls readers through the bizarre situations surrounding a major college football program... Strap yourself in―it’s a wild ride.”
- Library Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0393062805
• ISBN 13: 9780393062809
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256