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The Front Runner
The Front Runner
Author: Patricia Nell Warren
First published in 1974, The Front Runner raced to international acclaim - the first novel about gay love to become popular with 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 neve...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780964109919
ISBN-10: 0964109913
Publication Date: 12/1/1995
Pages: 307
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1

5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Wildcat Press
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Front Runner on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This classic novel captures the fierce beauty and pain of a dedicated runner's dreams- and the prejudices that threaten a powerful homosexual love.

Harlan Brown had two passions in his life: running and Billy Sive. And he was convinced he could never have both. An outstanding track coach, he knew from the first moment he saw Billy that this lean, graceful front runner could be an Olympic competitor and the love of his life. Suspicions had forced Harlan's resignation from Penn State; an affiar with a student could finish his career. But macho, hard-driving Harlan couldn't keep running from his feelings...or from the desire in a beautiful young athlete's touch...
reviewed The Front Runner on + 43 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
"The most celebrated gay love story ever - 20th anniversary edition.
Introduction: "...and like countless other gay men groping in the dark for the pull cord which might bring light into the closet, I read her novel about true love between a gay track coach and his Olympic-bound runner with awed fascination. And I wept. Nor for the tragedy witch befell these gay literary icons, but for the ideals and principles they represented. Ideals which to this day are denied to gay men and women by our society---an by ourselves." Tyler St. Mark, Wildcat Press.

With ten million copies in 8 languages, THE FRONT RUNNER is the most celebrated gay love story of all time When they fall in love, they will enter a race against hate and prejudice that takes them to the '76 Olympics and a shocking, shattering conclusion.

I think this is a truly stupendous book. I've always felt that homosexuality was inborn and not a sin. If anyone wants to truly see for themselves how homosexual love is just as powerful and loving as heterosexual love, this is the book for you. I couldn't put it down.
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reviewed The Front Runner on
Author: Patricia Nell Warren
kmk avatar reviewed The Front Runner on
This was a great book. I started skimming through it because of the first person narrative, then stopped and started all over again. By the time I was finished reading it I was crying. It's hard to believe it's been out as long and I never heard about it until a friend recommended reading it.
reviewed The Front Runner on
great story about love and the struggle to find it in the gay community. Exciting, emotional, and tragic.


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