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Summary: Review of The Front Runner by Cheri
Review: "The Front Runner", by Patricia Nell Warren, is the critically acclaimed, best selling novel, touted as being, "the most celebrated gay love story ever" and rightly so. This is not including the fact that it has been in print from 1974-2001, in several languages, and by mainstream publishers. The 20th Anniversary Edition of this novel shows the impressive print history. Becoming aware of this book more than 20 years after it came out is a mixed blessing. One, I don't have to wait 20 years for the sequel, Harlan's Race, and, two, I get to enjoy it now. My expectations of this book, with all the hype, have been greatly exceeded. For anyone who is new to gay fiction this is a book that is NOT to be missed. Patricia Nell Warren wrote an amazing, timeless, authentic, and accurate portrayal of gay life in the 70's, including all the feelings and struggles for equal rights, at that time, many of which are still prevalent today. Gay men are unable to comprehend how a woman could so perfectly capture their feelings and lifestyle to produce a believable, wonderfully written, piece of fiction. As a woman, I am proud of what she has achieved. "The Front Runner" is about a track coach, Harlan, who has had more than his share of discrimination and heartache because he is gay, so remains virtually closeted in order to maintain some sort of normalcy in his life...and protect his job at Prescott College. He is an ex-Marine who has been through it all, including marriage, loss of his coaching position at Penn State, and hustling to pay alimony, to name a few. By the time he gets to coach at Prescott, he is very careful not to jeopardize his position there, even if it means not allowing love in his life. For him coaching and running is what life is all about and he doesn't like the thought of losing it again. Billy is a beautiful runner who comes to Prescott with two of his friends after they were kicked off a prestigious college team when it was discovered they were gay. Not to give up running, Billy, Vince, and Jacques, go to Prescott hoping to be accepted by the incredibly gifted coach, who is also gay. These boys are talented runners, with Olympic dreams, and they hope Harlan can get them there. The plot thickens when Harlan suppresses his love and intense yearning for Billy, only to discover that Billy loves him too. Harlan finally succumbs to his love and he and Billy form a special but potentially dangerous bond that could jeopardize both their careers. It is wonderful to read how Billy changes Harlan's life and makes Harlan's deep seated unhappiness dissolve. Love has a healing power like no other human emotion. The difference in the age between coach and student is insignificant as they are both consenting adults. Billy is the more mature one at times, especially in how he accepts his sexual orientation and deals with discrimination. Harlan is Billy's mentor, friend, and lover. There is a harmonious balance between these two characters. What could be wrong or unnatural about two men being deeply in love? Ms. Warren's opinions resonate throughout this novel and she makes many valid points about gay rights. One of the things that struck me as interesting is how society can oppose legalizing gay unions when it is promiscuity and noncommittal relationships that are so undesirable to the glue that supposedly holds this country together. Loose behavior is not exclusive to the gay community. I feel that with equal rights and legal bonds for gay couples, there would be far less "immoral" behavior, however, there's no denying the fact that plenty of legally wed heterosexual couples cheat on their spouses. After reading this book, I will never look at running or the Olympics the same way again. "The Front Runner" depicts the numerous roadblocks gay athletes have to endure in order to compete in a hostile, homophobic world. When watching a race it is hard to think about politics, sexual orientation, or asinine rules governed by ignorant, inflexible, bigots. Races should be about the athletic ability alone in deciding who gets the gold. How any good can come out of evil is the cornerstone of this novel. One has to wonder why it takes a tragedy to open up people's eyes to the absurdity of hatred. I am very passionate about recommending this book to those who have not yet read it and I strongly recommend a reread for those of you who enjoyed "The Front Runner" and possibly were helped by it 20 years ago. Patricia Nell Warren is easily one of the best writers of gay fiction and I am looking forward to reading more of her works. .
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Summary: Haunting, poignant, loving, beautiful, true.
Review: "The Front Runner" is more about being openly gay in the 1970's but more about the cost of being human in a society that had prided itself in love, freedom and choice. But not tolerance. Billy Sive and his two teammates came to Prescott College to run track and finish their education. Billy recieved more than an education: he received love from someone who could supply it and in hopes, could get some back in return. The story is beautiful, the characters were real, and the saga of being homosexual is all too real. Ms. Warren captured the human side of being gay and gave it a brave strong face. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance and track. Love is for everyone. Not just the people who think they are morally up to it. As a heterosexual woman, I see too many young faces in the gay district of San Diego, California, wondering "What's out there for me?" For one, this book. It should be required reading for young gays and lesbians who don't think they have a voice. This book is wonderful.
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Summary: Hot new reviews for this two-decades-old classic novel:
Review: ****10/10/96 ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH calls Warren "the all-American gay novelist."
****Charles Solomon in 6/9/96 LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK REVIEW:
"Originally published in 1974, The Front Runner was a breakthrough gay novel,
selling more than 10 million copies. The love story between Olympic runner
Billy Sive and his coach, Harlan Brown, reflects the optimism of the early
days of gay liberation, before Bowers vs. Hardwick, before "Don't ask, don't
tell," before the rise of the religious right. Twenty-two years later, it
remains a sensitive, well-paced depiction of male love with a cruelly
dramatic climax. If Sive seemed a little too good-natured to be credible in
1974, he feels almost alien in the disillusioned, divided world of 1990."
**** BOOK REVIEW QUICKLIST (online):
"Really moving story about a gay runner who makes the Olympic team and then gets his cover blown on the way to the Games. I couldn't put it down, and I cried and
cried."
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Summary: The Front Runner is the most moving book I ever read.
Review: A friend told me recently to read The Front Runner. He said it was an erotic book but not meant to be that way. It is a book of love, true gay love. I could not put the book down. The more erotic parts just made me cry. I felt so moved and good for the characters. But of course the ending at the 5,000 final tore me apart. I highly rcommend the book but also recommend a box of kleenex to go with it!
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Summary: SILVER ANNIVERSARY FOR "THE FRONT RUNNER"
Review: A quarter century ago, in spring 1973, this novel was written and bought by William Morrow. A year later, in 1974, it was finally published and hit the bestseller lists. Today it is one of the longest and best selling novels in its genre, enjoyed by men and women, gay people and straight people alike.
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Summary: Uncomparable
Review: A very unusual book in that now I am forced to compare every book about being gay that I read to The Front Runner. I cried for Billy, I cried for Harlan and I cried for myself. Truly, an insight to the mind of the gay male in a homophobic society and coming to grips with surviving it.
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Summary: Best Book I've Ever Read
Review: As a gay man, I will never understand how Patrician nell Warren
understands the mind of the gay man better than any gay man that
I've ever know. This is truly the most wonderful book that I have ever read about gay "love". It's unfortunate that Paul Newman and Robert Redford didn't follow through with making it into a movie as had been rumored many years ago.
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Summary: I am not a SPORTS FAN
Review: As I began reading this book, I had serious doubts that a book about Olympic training would hold my interest. By the second chapter I was entranced. This book was welded to my hands and I could not detach myself. If you want a book that contains richly drawn, flesh-and-blood characters that will stay with you for months after you finish reading, then buy this book. But be careful, it will stay with you.
Rating:
Summary: I am not a SPORTS FAN
Review: As I began reading this book, I had serious doubts that a book about Olympic training would hold my interest. By the second chapter I was entranced. This book was welded to my hands and I could not detach myself. If you want a book that contains richly drawn, flesh-and-blood characters that will stay with you for months after you finish reading, then buy this book. But be careful, it will stay with you.
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Summary: Time does not dull the message
Review: As I watched the 2000 Olympics, I was compeled to dig out my old copy of The Front Runner, complete with the olympic rings on the front. I first read this book in college....and I find that after 24 years this book still rings true. A tale of both an athlete's desire to attain his best and to come to grips with his sexuality. A story of trust and friendship. A book that moved me to tears as I read the final chapters. This is a wonderful book.
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