Rating: 
Summary: Monotonous
Review: This novel started off well. I loved the struggles and conflicts both the coach and the team members experienced, but as the story progressed one expected the energy to rise, the intensity to some house start to increase, but instead the prose takes on such a monotonous and static tone that one finds oneself struggling to even finish the novel. It is well constructed as well as pretty tightly constructed, but it really offers little new to the books out there already. Although it is written by one of the forefront authors for the gay man in that time, I don't think it still has the same appeal to today's reader.
Rating: 
Summary: An Incredible Story of Love and Affection!
Review: This was an absolutely wonderful book from the first page to the last! This book is of an incredible love story between 39 year old Harlan, a College Track Coach, and 22 year old Billy Sive, an awesome track runner. This story of Gay Love is so intense and the feelings between the two men are so strong, that I had to remind myself, this was not written by a man, but a woman. Patricia Nell Warren has a gift for capturing the core of how two gay men can feel about each other. She brings out the detail of the story and surroundings so well you can easily picture it, which helps in bringing you deep within the story and feeling an undying love for the characters. I cannot believe I missed this story for the past 20 years. Thinking back to how things were for Gays and Lesbians 20 years ago, this truely was a ground breaking book for that era. Like someone else said, if you are not in tears near the end of this book, you MUST get your emotions checked as the feelings that are brought up in this book are overpowering in many ways. Run, don't walk to get this book... you will NOT BE SORRY!!!
Rating:
Summary: syrupy tearjerker
Review: This was virtually the first gay romantic novel, and it is no wonder it was a blockbuster in 1974. However, taken as a literary effort and not a historical event this book is the equivalent of a Harlequin Romance for gay men. It is a syrupy tearjerker. The author's The Fancy Dancer is a better work, though still solidly of the mush and gush genre. For the het-wannabes among gay men this book would be a must-read.
Rating:
Summary: A "Must Read" for young men, gay or straight
Review: When I was 14 years old, a friend of mine who knew about my gay tendancies (well before I was aware of what it all meant), gave me a copy of the original "The Front Runner". It is one of the FEW books I have read cover to cover without wanting to put it down. At a young age, it helped me come to terms with my sexuality, and help understand that love between men is truly OK. Love is love, and Harlan and Billy helped me to understand that. "The Front Runner" is a must read for any young man struggling with his own sexuality. This will help you understand what love truly can me. Thank you Patricia Nell Warren.
Rating:
Summary: A warm hearted read for anyone
Review: Why is it that this book is not on the New York Best Sellers list? I will confess that because I'm female I wasn't sure I'd enjoy reading this novel but I wanted to dive in with an open mind --The charecters were REAL--the story intense--Their Courage, profound--The ending had me in tears. I read The Front Runner three summers ago and it is still with me today. Devour this Novel--you won't be able to put it down--men, women, straight, gay, anyone and everyone, I recommend this novel to all.
Rating:
Summary: A warm hearted read for anyone
Review: Why is it that this book is not on the New York Best Sellers list? I will confess that because I'm female I wasn't sure I'd enjoy reading this novel but I wanted to dive in with an open mind --The charecters were REAL--the story intense--Their Courage, profound--The ending had me in tears. I read The Front Runner three summers ago and it is still with me today. Devour this Novel--you won't be able to put it down--men, women, straight, gay, anyone and everyone, I recommend this novel to all.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and powerful
Review: Why is this simply written novel so powerful? The answer is that it is sincere and heartfelt. The reader knows he is being told truths about love and life by someone who cares deeply about each. This book has won the devotion of many, many readers. Once in a while, some author bares the heart and soul of his/her characters and every line says, "I mean this. This is the truth as I see it. This is what I believe. I feel every word." The author of "The Front Runner" is such an author. A romance and a manifesto about love between same sex individuals. Not to be missed.
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