Rating: 
Summary: Charismatic, Entertaining, Emotional read
Review: Pins was a terrific read. The author had me in a full-nelson the whole time. Anyone who remembers what high school was like will like this book even if you weren't a jock. The characters are well-drawn and likeable. I thought the "murder" story line was less interesting (and not entirely believeable) than the "love story" but must concede that the pace of the novel was enhanced by it.
Rating: 
Summary: Way Kewl Teen Jock Opus
Review: The most amazing teenage jocks story ever told! The lovechild of "The Front Runner" and "Garp."
Bittersweet, heartwrenching, over-the-top, grapplin' gonad-grabbin' literary Jersey hip way cool fiction about high school wrestlers -gay ones. Say no more. I bought this book after a New York newspaper called it "a miracle of writing." If a gay kid can be out on his high school team without getting whomped by inbred morons, it would be a miracle.
No On Knight! This is a stay-up-all-night because you can't stop wanting to know more about the treacherous dangers these kids go through. Oh, it's funny, too.
Rating:
Summary: Way Kewl Teen Jock Opus
Review: The most amazing teenage jocks story ever told! The lovechild of "The Front Runner" and "Garp."
Bittersweet, heartwrenching, over-the-top, grapplin' gonad-grabbin' literary Jersey hip way cool fiction about high school wrestlers -gay ones. Say no more. I bought this book after a New York newspaper called it "a miracle of writing." If a gay kid can be out on his high school team without getting whomped by inbred morons, it would be a miracle.
No On Knight! This is a stay-up-all-night because you can't stop wanting to know more about the treacherous dangers these kids go through. Oh, it's funny, too.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful love story that soars with real life intensity
Review: The writing is inspired. It's as if Provenzano was right there,
chronicling my life. As a former high school wrestler, who fell in love with a team-mate. The writer captured everything about him in the character of Dink. It was thrilling to relive the blush of my first love.
The depiction of the team, and all of it's quirks is also a fond memory of mine.
I saw myself in Joseph.
The character of Dino, is how I'd always hoped my father would be...I've always wondered if other parents were supportive when they find out about their sons life choices. The writing is fresh and exciting...I actually read it in one sitting, staying up til 3 am. It only took a day because I could not put it down. I just had to find out what would happen to Joe & Dink next and so I just continued reading..reading... I laughed, I cried, I reminisced.... Joe & Dink are the kind of characters that you just cry and cheer for as they try to overcome the odds to be together. Their love for each other is so heart-felt and honest that you just know they have to be together. A beautiful love story, that I never wanted to end. I just hope that Provenzano writes a sequel so that we can keep reading about Joe and Dink.
Rating: 
Summary: very long
Review: This book goes way too long without getting to any plot points. It's a 260pg book and it's almost 100pgs before ANY sort of plot starts to formulate. I haven't finished the book yet (I've got about thirty pages to go) and basicaly NOTHING has occured in the last hundred pages that in any way helps move the story along. The pace is sooo slow. And another thing: why have the story take place in New Jersey? I have lived in New Jersey all my life and while I liked the fact that all the towns mentioned are actual towns, the way it's written this could have taken place anywhere. If you're gonna have it take place in Jersey, then use Jersey as a character. I actually like the book, but it's just too long and the length wouldn't be a problem if only he didn't take so long to get from one plot point to the next.
Rating:
Summary: So good i couldn't put it down
Review: This is not one of the best gay novels I have read... It IS one of the BEST NOVELS I've come across in years. The characters are fresh and well-developed--their trials modern and emotions universal. This is a fast novel that you will not be able to put down. The rich, multi-layered plot is superbly designed and carries the reader along with clarity and direction. I've read many examples of ... fiction over the years, but this one stands apart.
Rating:
Summary: An Electric Read
Review: This is not one of the best gay novels I have read... It IS one of the BEST NOVELS I've come across in years. The characters are fresh and well-developed--their trials modern and emotions universal. This is a fast novel that you will not be able to put down. The rich, multi-layered plot is superbly designed and carries the reader along with clarity and direction. I've read many examples of ... fiction over the years, but this one stands apart.
Rating:
Summary: What an Interesting, and enlightening Book!
Review: This is one great book! It was written by San Francisco sports columnist Jim Provenzano and tells the story of homophobia in athletics, and one very short, incredible boy who stands up to it. The setting is Little Falls, New Jersey in 1993, PINS weaves the classic story of a Catholic saint into a compelling modern life -and near-death- account of Joey Nicci, a fifteen-year-old wrestler. After befriending Donald "Dink" Kohrs, Joey and his new posse get involved in pranks and partying that eventually get out of control, resulting in the death of a maligned fellow teammate. The resulting legal battle and media frenzy alter Joey's life and his self-perception as a gay teenager while shattering his fragile love for fellow teammate. Like his patron saint, his struggle for his beliefs forces him to endure insurmountable difficulties, on and off the mat. This is a compelling story of a loving yet confused family, coaches and teachers struggling with multiple issues of violence and bigotry amid the clan-like world of teenage athletes, PINS brings an intensely personal perspective to events now common in the media; bullying jocks, assaults on weaker students, faculty and students unwittingly allowing such behavior, and families and counselors finding the strength to overcome it. Although this book is about Wrestling, I assumed 'PINS' (the title) referred to 'pinning' an opponent to the mat. Imagine my surprise when I found, in the case of THIS wrestling book, it meant 'Persons In Need of Supervision'. Brought a whole new meaning to this book. I was amazed at how well this book was written. Some of the story line is not pleasant, but I understand it was written as a result of actual events that occurred in New York. I am very glad I read this book. My hats off to the Author for creating a book that really strikes feeling down to the core of a person's being.
Rating:
Summary: ...PINS Rocks
Review: what a sheer delight, having all the tortures and glories of our formative years hurled out like a teen baptismal of truth. From the beginning he gets the hurt and passion of the closeted jock syndrome down. But also I liked the smoothness of writing and how he got inside Joey's life and..Dink was so funny. Anyway, I was looking fr a pro wrestling book, but when I found this it was amazing. Oh, like duh, being a gay wrestler, it was way cool...So you should buy this book if you're gay, yeah, but especially if have a problem with that, cuz you need to get wise. ... Penssylvania, US
Rating:
Summary: Intensely funny and touching story
Review: What an amazing story. Having wrestled in high school, and been closeted, of course, at the time, it was surprising how he captured what a boy feels while trying to just get along. There are also some poignant aspects of being an Italian and suffering some stereotypes. With its own lingo and private world, "Pins" is a lot like the stories in the news lately, but the view is from the kids who suffer. I want a sequel!
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