{mosimage}Title: Bump and Run

Author: Mike Lupica

ISBN: 0425181480

Publisher: Berkley (September 5, 2001)

Paperback: 352 pages

If you pick up Mike Lupica's Bump and Run expecting to find an updated version of Peter Gent's North Dallas Forty, you are in for a slight disappointment. Unlike Gent who spent a few seasons as part of the Dallas Cowboys, Lupica is first and foremost a sports writer, and the difference in perspective shows in this light tribute to the genre started by Gent. Too often the novel becomes a tale told by an outsider looking in, instead of a narrative that carries the weight of a full insider, as was the case with North Dallas Forty.

Yet if you give the novel a try, and make it pass the cliché riddled characters that instantly conjure up a few of today's players, you will find yourself engrossed in the world of Jack "Jammer" Malloy. Malloy a former college player and Vegas' version of an "off the books concierge", has just inherited the New York Hawks. The Hawks though come with all the glory and pitfalls that is bestowed on a professional football franchise, especially one anchored in New York City. Aside from his high society stepfamily trying desperately to wrestle control of the team from him, he has to deal with team president Liz Bolton. Liz, his fathers' highly competent confidant, comes equipped with the chip on shoulder mentally that often times accompanies a highly successful women competing in the good old boy world of professional football. Jack's fun loving college teammate with the frat boy mentality, as well as his love interest, sports journalist/bartender Annie Kay, add color to the widely varied cast of characters.

As he goes about dragging his team along from the depths of a disappointing season to that of a championship contender, Jack Malloy gives us a look at how it would feel to wake up early one Christmas morning to discover a shiny new football franchise underneath the tree. This sort of feeling often permeates throughout the book and is captured rather neatly and uniquely when Jack Malloy shows Annie is place of residence -a stadium office turned penthouse apartment.

Yet because Lupica seems to be at his best when sketching out fresh new characters such as Jack and Liz, his satirical cardboard thin minor characters often give the impression that he would rather play it safe and kick a field go, then take his chances going for a touchdown. Sometimes though, a field goal is not a bad way to end a drive.

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Lloyds Apple said:

	Interesting. I can't say I've read any Mike Lupica books or even read many of his columns but he of course sticks out on the Sports Reporters. Sometimes I like him and sometimes he's annoying. Sounds like this is worth checking out. He is always fresh with opinions.
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October 29, 2007
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wpeery said:

	I am a huge Mike Lupica fan and I think I agree with him on alot of his sports commentary--more so than any other sports commentator. I don't regularly read his columns but I have watched him on the sports reporters--he's very polished and I like the way he presents his arguments.
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October 30, 2007
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