One on One: 2A Novel [Hardcover]

Tabitha King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1993

Two high-school students--Sam, a born leader, and Deanie, a rebel--fall in love, in a bittersweet coming-of-age story set in a rural town in western Maine. By the author of Small World. 50,000 first printing. 50,000 ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

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. The overlong narrative loses steam as King (married to novelist Stephen) resolves each conflict separately, diminishing the impact of the grand finale. However, her rich characters and her brutal, violent portrayal of teenage life manage to sustain interest despite a flabby plot. BOMC alternate.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- Sam Styles is a popular teen who honors the no-alcohol-or-drugs pledge and has a warm and supportive home. Deanie (a.k.a. Mutant) Gauthier shaves her head, adorns herself with chains, smokes cigarettes and marijuana, and tries to keep secret the abuse she suffers by her mother's boyfriend. This seemingly mismatched couple comes together because they share a love of basketball, and their needs and yearnings nurture their relationship off the court. While the pacing sometimes drags, the setting and characters are realistic, complete with drugs, sex, and violence. Teens will be able to identify with many of the people and their problems.
- Patricia A. Long, R. E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult (March 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525935908
• ISBN-13: 978-0525935902
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thursday's child, third daughter of six, third child of eight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting, Sharp, Completely Un-Put-Downable!, July 25, 2002

By 

Anne Orsi "Aramink" (Little Rock, AR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One on One (Paperback)

Until two days ago, I never knew Stephen King's wife was a published author. Now, after losing most of my sleep last night because of her, I can't understand why she isn't at least as famous a writer as her husband!

I was given this book Tuesday afternoon by a friend who knows my taste in books. It's the only book she's ever told me I really _should_ read in all the time I've known her. I didn't start it until bedtime Wednesday, and finished it Thursday afternoon despite my washing machine going out, several calls from clients, my son having playmates over all day, a doctor's appointment, and lunch out.

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Endearing Fictional World I've Ever Known, November 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: One on One (Paperback)

I've read this book so many times I've lost count. I go back to it about once every six months as I would go back to look at a yearbook. I recall the small incidents (such as the sexual prank that opens the novel), the emotions (like Deanie's 'second' sexual awakening) and the people (especially Sam and Deanie 'The Mutant')with such a vivid recollection that I'm swept right back into their world as I turn to page two. Tabitha King has created a masterpiece that has affected me in such a deep way that I cannot even fathom. Seeing that it is out of print is disheartening. I would dearly love a copy. MESSAGE TO PUBLISHER: PLEASE REPRINT! Not only do I want a copy of my own but I'd like the rest of the world in on the secret... Tabitha King is masterful and has recounted life of every teenager in One On One. I hope that this book will be studied in schools. Bravo Tabitha!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best novel I've ever read..., June 8, 2000

By 

"neonrt" (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One on One: 2A Novel (Hardcover)

I've read this book over and over again for about 5 years. It was introduced to me in a college class at the University Of Maine at Orono, and I was lucky enough to have Mrs. King autograph my copy in our class one day. This book captures the teenage heart and soul perfectly, as well as life in Maine highschools. I have, and will continue to recommend this book to all, and do wish the publisher would reprint, as my copy is becoming worn, and I would like to pass a new copy on to others.