One On One A Novel (Hardcover)

WOW.

I never wanted it to end even though I wanted Deanie's ordeal to be over with as soon as possible.

Tabitha King's writing style is almost poetic in its descriptions of feelings and places and situations. Her dialogue is not bogged down by too many adjectives or adverbs, and she knows her characters inside out from the very beginning. These characters aren't just developed -- they spring to life fully formed nearly from the instant we meet them, with all of their baggage properly influential in their decisions, their attitudes, and even in their nicknames. We meet them from a distance, almost like a new kid at school who will become increasingly intimate with them and their close friends and family members. As we learn each fact that constitutes their baggage, we nod and agree that yes, we really should have known that from the way the character acted or reacted.

The author uses present tense throughout the story. I usually find present tense novels awkward, but not in this book. The present tense lets us find out more about Deanie and Sam as they learn more about each other. We are right there with them, going through the hormonal hells and peer pressure battles just like they are. We feel how important the state championship is. We don't blame Deanie for her need of chemical solace; we admire Sam's restraint each time he wants to, but does not, break his training. We become a little annoyed with his righteousness, but we shake our heads and acknowledge that that's just Sam.

Evil characters are not pure evil, except for two which could easily fit into one of Stephen King's horror stories as unearthly bad-guy archetypes: J.C. and Tony.

We want to take Deannie's chains and swing them at Tony with all our might, and we want to put J.C.'s cigarettes (and joints) out on his exposed skin. Our stomachs roil with disgust and Deanie's mother. We want to hug and love the awkward, shy, ugly, unlovable Deanie and we want Sam to find a nice girl with whom he can achieve that physical relase sought be every seventeen-year-old boy. When we read the last page we want to know more about these brave survivors. We don't want to leave them so young and vulnerable, even though we recognize their incredible resilience.

I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who remembers high school, who might not have fit in, who fit in almost too well, who ever felt a surprising pang of longing or ache for something or someone so unlike themselves.

This incredible story alerts us to the fact that all the perfect jocks and cheerleaders don't lead perfect lives and don't usually warrant the envy of the faceless multitudes on the sidelines. The story is raw and painful. It is a release. It is a treasure.

Anyone who reads it will always remember it. I have not been so profoundly struck by any book in memory.

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In "One on One," the first Tabitha King novel I read, by the way, teenage jock Sam finds himself mysteriously attracted to, and ultimately sexually involved with, weird, gothic Deanie. A member of a very dysfunctional family, Deanie is part tough, dangerous chick and part incredibly vulnerable little girl. One thing that has always stuck with me about this book, which I read shortly after its 1994 release, is that I didn't really like either Sam, too wimpy, or Deanie, too disturbed, but I was entranced by their tale. This is one of those stay-up-all-night-and-finish-it-books--once you start Sam and Deanie's story, you'll have real trouble putting it down.

Since discovering Tabitha with "One on One," I've become fan of all the King family writers. (For the record, while I've like many of Tabitha's other novels, I think "One on One" is her best effort.) I also admire Mrs. King for 1) publishing under own name, knowing the inevitable comparisons and envy ("Gee, I wonder how SHE got a book deal?") that would result and 2) undertaking the struggle of writing at all. Goodness knows she didn't do it for the money!

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