Ms. King tells a good story from, what I would guess, personal experience on the basketball court. She certainly understands the game. This is also about boy and girl things in high school, but is not juvenile in any way. The story is told in a very gritty way in a town known for its gritty ways. (Derry, Maine) It was a surprisingly good read and I will definitely read more of her work.
From Publishers Weekly:
In this affecting story of high-school basketball and teenage romance, King returns to the small-town Maine characters who peopled her previous novel, Pearl. Sam Styles, who made brief appearances as the son of Pearl's lover Reuben in the earlier book, has grown into a straight-living, Bible-reading high-school basketball star. In his senior year, he finds himself attracted to scrappy, hostile little Deanie Gauthier, captain of the girls' basketball team. As Sam and Deanie struggle to lead their respective squads to state championships, a dark bond of sexual passion grows between them, and he is increasingly drawn into her troubled life. Conflicts ignite that threaten their relationship, as well as their ability to play ball. Both are beset by adversaries: J. C., an upper-middle-class drug dealer at the school, has a sordid hold over Deanie, and Pete, a dissolute teammate of Sam's, detests his sense of morality. On the periphery of the high-school action, but posing the most sinister threat, is Deanie's mother's abusive boyfriend.
In this affecting story of high-school basketball and teenage romance, King returns to the small-town Maine characters who peopled her previous novel, Pearl. Sam Styles, who made brief appearances as the son of Pearl's lover Reuben in the earlier book, has grown into a straight-living, Bible-reading high-school basketball star. In his senior year, he finds himself attracted to scrappy, hostile little Deanie Gauthier, captain of the girls' basketball team. As Sam and Deanie struggle to lead their respective squads to state championships, a dark bond of sexual passion grows between them, and he is increasingly drawn into her troubled life. Conflicts ignite that threaten their relationship, as well as their ability to play ball. Both are beset by adversaries: J. C., an upper-middle-class drug dealer at the school, has a sordid hold over Deanie, and Pete, a dissolute teammate of Sam's, detests his sense of morality. On the periphery of the high-school action, but posing the most sinister threat, is Deanie's mother's abusive boyfriend.
I really loved this book. It is very in depth about to two teenage basketball stars and them falling in love at a young age. Very well written. A book that when I read it, I literally forgot all that I had on going on around me. It really draws you in.
