Description

Acclaimed sports columnist Jim Provenzano's novel PINS tells the story of homophobia in athletics, and one very short boy who stands up to it. Set in Little Falls, New Jersey in 1993, PINS weaves the classic story of a Catholic saint into a compelling modern life -and near-death- account of Joey Nicci, a fifteen-year-old wrestler. After befriending Donald "Dink" Kohrs, Joey and his new posse get involved in pranks and partying that eventually get out of control, resulting in the death of a maligned fellow teammate. The ensuing legal battle and media scrutiny alter Joey's life and his self-perception as a gay teenager while shattering his fragile love for his fellow teammate. Like his patron saint, his struggle for his beliefs forces him to endure insurmountable difficulties, on and off the mat. A compelling story of a loving yet confused family, coaches and teachers struggling with multiple issues of violence and bigotry amid the clan-like world of teenage athletes, PINS brings an intensely personal perspective to events now common in the media; bullying jocks, assaults on weaker students, faculty and students unwittingly allowing such behavior, and families and counselors finding the strength to overcome it. Called "prescient" and "heartfelt" by two of today's leading writers, PINS layers symbols from the worlds of animals and religion with compassion, insight and humor, achieving a unique perspective on pressing issues, and is destined to become a popular favorite in the genres of both gay fiction and sports writing.