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The Front Runner  By  cover art

The Front Runner

By: Patricia Nell Warren
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
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Publisher's summary

First published in 1974, The Front Runner raced to international acclaim - the first novel about gay love to become popular in the mainstream.

In 1975, coach Harlan Brown is hiding from his past at an obscure New York college, after he was fired from Penn State University on suspicion of being gay. A tough, lonely ex-Marine of 39, Harlan has never allowed himself to love another man. Then Billy Sive, a brilliant young runner, shows up on his doorstep. He and his two comrades, Vince Matti and Jacques LaFont, were just thrown off a major team for admitting they are gay. Harlan knows that, with proper training, Billy could go to the '76 Olympics in Montreal. He agrees to coach the three boys under strict conditions that thwart Billy's growing attraction for his mature but compelling mentor.

The lean, graceful front runner with gold-rim glasses sees directly into Harlan's heart. Billy's gentle and open acceptance of his sexuality makes Harlan afraid to confront either the pain of his past, or the challenges which lay in wait if their intimacy is exposed. But when Coach Brown finds himself falling in love with his most gifted athlete, he must combat his true feelings for Billy or risk the outrage of the entire sports world - and their only chance at Olympic gold.

©1974 Patricia Nell Warren (P)2011 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

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I really wish I liked this more

First let me say the narrator of this book does a wonderful job. I am actually glad I listened to this book because I think I would have hated reading it. The narrator at least brought the characters to life and made a bad story and mediocre writing at least bearable. I should qualify my review by saying this book was written in 1975, so I really tried to keep my opinions in that context. That was a very volatile time in the gay rights movement. As an exposure to that time and the challenges that gay men had to face, I think the book does a great job. However, as a romance/love story I did not enjoy it. Not because the love story wasn’t poignant and beautiful, but because of the direction the author chose to take it. It was like she took the reader on this wonderful ride only to pull the rug out from under us in the end. I realize the “shock” value of what she did, but I really don’t think it was necessary and it seemed almost cruel. Also, in my opinion, the aftermath wasn’t executed well enough to gain the “acclaim” this book seemed to have. Maybe in 1975 it was considered great art, but in 2013 I don't think it survives the test of time. I wish she had just stuck with the gay rights message and not delved into the love story; I think I would have enjoyed it more.

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4 people found this helpful