I never know about this book until I read some article on internet about “10 Great Films That Were Never Made”they said, this movie or story (possibly with the greatest story ever) for various reasons, unfortunately didn’t survive the production phase. Then, I become interesting, and ask about this to a friend, and fortunately she gave me a link of ebook versions of this novel (because I couldn’t find this classic book anywhere). This book written by Patricia Nell Warren, (first published in 1974) was one of the best seller book all the time (selling over 10 million and has been translated into nuber languages).
Book Description :
First published in 1974, The Front Runner raced to international acclaim, best selling novel and touted as being the first novel about gay love to become popular with mainstream. It was the first book of contemporary gay fiction to reach the New York Times Best Seller List. As of 2006 more than 10 million copies had been sold. It had been translated into at least nine languages, including English, Japanese, German, French, Danish, Swedish, Dutch, and Italian.
Synopsis:
Although the title refers to another character, The Front Runner is the story of Harlan Brown, the track coach at fictitious Prescott College, a new, small, progressive, experimental private liberal arts college sixty miles from New York City
The story begins in late 1974 and ends in early 1978, with occasional flashbacks giving information about Harlan’s past. When the story begins, Harlan is thirty nine years old, graduate from Villanova University (where he both ran and coached track) and rigdly closeted homosexual. He was fired as coach from Penn State University because of untrue accusations of sexual misconduct from a male student on his track team. The episode also ended Harlan’s unhappy married; his ex-wife and two adolescence sons appear briefly in flashback. Then, he met Joe Prescott who gave him a job as athletic director at Prescott College. Harlan, 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 frontrunner 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 Harlan 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.
My Review:
Alright, so, a couple days ago, I finished reading this book. I absolutely blown away (although some words made me confused, because iam Indonesian native and not really great in English).
Iam straight women (I say this, because I want to make it clear that this book touched my heart, it does not mater at all your sexual orientation). And since I was a very liberal thought women, homosexual aspect didn’t bother me.
The love story between Billy the runner and Harlan his coach is quite special. Harlan Brown, a runner coach was falsely accused of molesting a former student and had to resign from his coaching job at another school. His wife divorced him, and taking his two young son. Frustrated, Harlan turns to hustling, and when someone offers him chance to coach a new team at new school he took a chance. He leave his dreadful life, he coaches then meet and falling in love with Billy Sive, his most gifted athlete. There are three main threads in the novel, a love story, running and gay rights. The author took a traditionally male environment and keep the two main frole, Harlan and Billy very focused on the masculine.
The ending are touched my heart, I cried, not only once, but a couple times, also, I almost cry everytime I remember the ending or the story. Its so sad, and upset (me) to see so many homophobic people in the world in story and real life.
It is wonderful to read how billy changes Harlan’ life and makes Harlan’s deep seated unhappiness dissolve. Love has healing power like no other human emotion. Harlan coaches Billy on the track but Billy taches the older man to love. And I fell in love with Billy as much as Harlan Brown did! Billy is mature, peacefull mind, genuine, kind, and almost perfect man. Its simpy great love story, heatwarming also heartbreaking at the end, this book moved me to tears as I read the final chapters.
I was worried at first time I couldn’t match because the story happen in 1974. But I was wrong, The Front Runner is one of the best book I have ever read, painfully moving, uplifting, and extremely hot. It is a beautiful written book, (thank you Mr. Warren!). In this book, you are able to feel the character’s emotions so deeply, you hurt when they hurt, laugh when they laugh, and cry when they cry. Its truly remarkable tale about love, destiny, passion, and search for the special love. Very beautiful stories. Throughout all of this a wonderful story.
Women, men, straight, gay anyone and everyone, I recommend this novel to all.
Memorable Quotes (by author Patricia Nell Warren) :
“I always fell in love with unhappy people, I was a sucker that way. I wanted to change their lives and make them happy” (Billy Sive, The Front Runner)
“It seemed to me that I lived throught several lifetimes of suffering before I met him, and several lifetime of love in those twenty-one months. I would not be able to love anyone like that again’ (Harlan Brown, The Front Runner)
