Customer Reviews

One on One: 2A Novel

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4 star:		(4)
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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.

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!

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.

Please buy this book!!! I can think of no other way to get Tabitha King to write a second piece to this tale. I am a big reader and love series books. After reading all of Jennifer Weiner's books last month I was looking for someone else, on her website or a fansite of Jennifer's it mentioned Pearl. I went to the library and picked up a copy. Read it immediately and loved it instantly. I told my husband that Tabitha King writes like her husband, always leaving you with wanting more. I went to the trusty WWW and found that there was a whole series to be read and I happened upon them in the middle with Pearl. After work I was at the library picking up the remainder of the series. I didn't read them in order, you don't have to, they work well independently. One on One was the last for me to pick up. I read it in no time and lost much sleep because of it. I took it to work with me and was HAPPY to be in a 1 hour traffic jam so I could have more time to read it. I was captivated by Sam and Deanie, and hungry to know more about Pearl and Reuben. I did something I have never done. I did't put it down. Upon finishing it I started back on the first page again. She writes sex scenes like they should be written, raw, real, and not perfect. I want more from her...that is why you have to buy this book. Hopefully she will see there is a surge in her sales and decide to feed her fans with MORE. I am just upset I didn't know her work until now. She is just amazing. Buy it.

I'm a novelist myself, and began reading Stephen King at the age of ten. About seven years ago, I was browsing through the S. Kings at the library looking for something that I hadn't read fifteen times when I ran across One on One completely by accident. Because the particular S. King that I was looking for wasn't on the shelf, I decided to "broaden my horizons" and take it for a "test drive," and what a decision that was! I couldn't put it down - I read it cover to cover twice, then bought my own copy. I've since ventured into Tabby's other offerings and they're equally wonderful, but One on One will always be my favorite read - and my favorite inspiration.

Tabitha King has a wonderful talent with bending the written word in such a way that it captivates the reader to the point of not being able to put the book down until the very last page. Unfortunately, though I am a great fan of Stephen King, Tabitha gets very little of the spotlight and I am disappointed that none of her books are available to buy as new books.

In my opinion, Tabitha King's forte is creating characters that are real enough to make you "wonder what they're doing now" years after you finish the book. They are multi-dimensional people who will make you alternately want to hug them, yell at them, cheer for them or slap them, but you always care. ONE ON ONE was the first Tabitha King novel I read, then I subsequently purchased all her books and discovered that ONE ON ONE is the third book to feature Sam and his family, and I also loved THE BOOK OF RUEBEN and PEARL. I've been a Stephen King fan for years, so now my bookshelves are filled with even more King books!

Most people don't know that Tabitha King, wife of uber-author Stephen King, is also an extremely talented writer. I stumbled upon Tabitha's novels while searching the library shelves for something of her husband's--since that fortuitous discover I've read all of the lesser-known King's novels and been completely entertained. In a style that differs totally from her husband's macabre touch, Tabitha seems to focus on character developing, creating real people that live in your mind for years after your read her stories. (I'm a HUGE Stephen King fan, having read everything he's ever written with the exception of a few magazine articles, but I can't say that his characters necessarily stick with me the same way as Tabitha's do.)

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!

Under weird circumstances, I somehow i got this book. After two days of reading it I am so glad I found it. As someone who has been through the whole "high school" experience, it makes me look back about what I could have changed and what I miss so much about it. Kings analytical prose is so vivid in detail that the characters are easy to identify with, including all the subtles, idiosyncrasies and sexual innuedo it makes readers feel what the characters are going through. It's a fantastic read and once you get going, you can't put it down. I highly recommend it.

I am a teenager and I love reading. I never thought anyone could beat Stephen King's writings but Tabitha King has definately done this. One on One iz the best book I've ever read in my life. My favorite for sure. Deanie and Sam's relationship makes me wish for something I've never had before. Her usage of words portrays the teen's feelings better than anyone else ever could. You can totally feel what they're feeling while reading this book. I recommend it to everyone and I hope Tabitha King writes more books like this one. The best thing that could ever happen with this book is make a movie and let Tabitha direct it.