I can't say enough good things about this amazing author. He tells us a tale about a young man named Jeff (not to be confused with the author himself), who comes to terms with his sexuality in this sweet love story. Jeff meets the love of his life, looses people he loves and continues to grow and learn from these experiences. I picked the book up at Amazon, and read it the same day I got it. A very sweet story indeed. Bravo to Jeff Erno!!!!
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Set in the 1980's, DUMB JOCK illustrates the struggle of two young teens coming to terms with their sexuality and their growing love. Although the book is not autobiographical, author Jeff Erno looked to his own personal struggle of coming out as gay in a small northern Michigan town.
Jeff and Brett are as different as night and day in appearance and interests. Jeff is a slightly built freshman with no athletic talent whatsoever. His friends are other social outcasts, and he is often the target for mean remarks and cruel practical jokes. His mother loves and dotes on him while his father finds him odd and annoying.
Brett is a junior and the talented quarterback everyone hopes will take the team to a state championship. He runs with the popular crowd, attending parties and getting voted homecoming king. He is the last person people would think of being gay.
When Coach McDonald, gym teacher/football coach, uses the threat of failing freshman gym class as motivation for forcing Jeff to tutor Brett in English, no one would have guessed the final outcome. It doesn't take long for the two teens to become comfortable with each other and begin an emotional and sexual relationship. They aren't afraid to express their feelings to one another, but revealing their relationship in public in the tiny Michigan community would surely ruin their lives.
Jeff Erno tells the story of their young love with honesty and directness. He reveals their heart-stopping passion as well as the agony of fear and jealousy that threaten to break them apart. Times have changed some since the 80's, but small towns still breed the misunderstanding and prejudice evident in Erno's story.
DUMB JOCK is a bold example of one author's attempt to create a novel to help teens accept their own sexuality or better understand that of those around them. It is a worthy addition to any high school collection.
Set in the 1980's, DUMB JOCK illustrates the struggle of two young teens coming to terms with their sexuality and their growing love. Although the book is not autobiographical, author Jeff Erno looked to his own personal struggle of coming out as gay in a small northern Michigan town.
Jeff and Brett are as different as night and day in appearance and interests. Jeff is a slightly built freshman with no athletic talent whatsoever. His friends are other social outcasts, and he is often the target for mean remarks and cruel practical jokes. His mother loves and dotes on him while his father finds him odd and annoying.
Brett is a junior and the talented quarterback everyone hopes will take the team to a state championship. He runs with the popular crowd, attending parties and getting voted homecoming king. He is the last person people would think of being gay.
When Coach McDonald, gym teacher/football coach, uses the threat of failing freshman gym class as motivation for forcing Jeff to tutor Brett in English, no one would have guessed the final outcome. It doesn't take long for the two teens to become comfortable with each other and begin an emotional and sexual relationship. They aren't afraid to express their feelings to one another, but revealing their relationship in public in the tiny Michigan community would surely ruin their lives.
Jeff Erno tells the story of their young love with honesty and directness. He reveals their heart-stopping passion as well as the agony of fear and jealousy that threaten to break them apart. Times have changed some since the 80's, but small towns still breed the misunderstanding and prejudice evident in Erno's story.
DUMB JOCK is a bold example of one author's attempt to create a novel to help teens accept their own sexuality or better understand that of those around them. It is a worthy addition to any high school collection.
This was not a comfortable book to read. I don't think many book about teenage alienation are really that comfortable. The books that ring the most true, are the least comfortable to read.
I know I tried to bury those feelings of confusion and insecurity, and having a writer dredge them all up again doesn't make for the most pleasant reading.
That's not to say that it isn't an engrossing read, it's just not something to pick up when you want something light and happy, to help you forget your troubles.
The story revolves around Jeff, a young man in his Freshman year of High School, who's just starting to come to terms with his sexuality, and the relationship that blossoms between him and the star of the football team, Brett.
Jeff is asked to tutor Brett. Well, asked is a bit too nice of a word. Jeff is told that he either tutors Brett or fails gym, and gets turned into fresh meat for the 'jocks' to pick on.
Brett isn't what Jeff expects, and a friendship develops. Then, develops into something deeper than friendship.
But, the town isn't ready for people who are open about their sexuality, and Brett has a lot to loose, if his relationship with Jeff is made public knowledge.
It's a sweet story, even though parts of the relationship made me a bit uncomfortable. For a good part of the story, Brett looks at Jeff as more of a devoted pet, instead of a person who's capable of making his own decisions.
Their relationship does evolve, and I definitly remember that slavish devotion from my time in High School, but again, it's not the most comfortable thing to read about.
My main problem with the writing, is more of a pet peeve, rather than an actual issue with the writing. When I'm reading fiction, I hate it when writers quote pop culture, or make references to specific songs or TV shows.
When I'm reading fiction, I have this imaginary world in my head. When the author lists a certain song that I know and I'm familiar with, it jolts me out of my imaginary world, because it doesn't fit.
I much prefer more generalized references, where I can substitute my own idea of what the characters are listening to/watching in my mind.
If the author states that the characters are listening to loud, angry music, I'll insert my own favorite flavor of loud, angry music. The authors version of loud music and mine most likely do not match. And, that's okay.
I guess, I would just rather use my imagination, than have everything laid out for me.
Some people enjoy finding those pop culture references, but they drive me up the wall.
All in all, it's a sweet story, and one that may just ring true to a lot of people out there.
I know I tried to bury those feelings of confusion and insecurity, and having a writer dredge them all up again doesn't make for the most pleasant reading.
That's not to say that it isn't an engrossing read, it's just not something to pick up when you want something light and happy, to help you forget your troubles.
The story revolves around Jeff, a young man in his Freshman year of High School, who's just starting to come to terms with his sexuality, and the relationship that blossoms between him and the star of the football team, Brett.
Jeff is asked to tutor Brett. Well, asked is a bit too nice of a word. Jeff is told that he either tutors Brett or fails gym, and gets turned into fresh meat for the 'jocks' to pick on.
Brett isn't what Jeff expects, and a friendship develops. Then, develops into something deeper than friendship.
But, the town isn't ready for people who are open about their sexuality, and Brett has a lot to loose, if his relationship with Jeff is made public knowledge.
It's a sweet story, even though parts of the relationship made me a bit uncomfortable. For a good part of the story, Brett looks at Jeff as more of a devoted pet, instead of a person who's capable of making his own decisions.
Their relationship does evolve, and I definitly remember that slavish devotion from my time in High School, but again, it's not the most comfortable thing to read about.
My main problem with the writing, is more of a pet peeve, rather than an actual issue with the writing. When I'm reading fiction, I hate it when writers quote pop culture, or make references to specific songs or TV shows.
When I'm reading fiction, I have this imaginary world in my head. When the author lists a certain song that I know and I'm familiar with, it jolts me out of my imaginary world, because it doesn't fit.
I much prefer more generalized references, where I can substitute my own idea of what the characters are listening to/watching in my mind.
If the author states that the characters are listening to loud, angry music, I'll insert my own favorite flavor of loud, angry music. The authors version of loud music and mine most likely do not match. And, that's okay.
I guess, I would just rather use my imagination, than have everything laid out for me.
Some people enjoy finding those pop culture references, but they drive me up the wall.
All in all, it's a sweet story, and one that may just ring true to a lot of people out there.
I grew up in Michigan just slightly before the period depicted in this book. It's a pretty accurate portrait of the attitudes of small-town life in rural Michigan.
It's very strange to be reminded of some of the Michigan things that this novels brings back to memory... Boyne Mountain, Lake Charlevoix, REO Speedwagon, etc.
Overall, it's a fast fun read if a bit confused as to whether it wants to be a gay romance/coming out story or an autobiography. The prose is effective if a bit under-polished at points and the story is moving if somewhat inexpertly told.
While this book shows many of the traits of self-published fiction and could have used a bit more polishing, it is FAR better than many of the other efforts that have made it into E-books.
Personally, I had some moments of discomfort with the dominance /submission themes in the story but they were truthful and felt honest, even if the characters I'd been building in my head were a bit different.
I do plan on reading the sequel but the urge to acquire it is not urgent at this point. As an aspiring writer myself, I AM curious as to how much the author developed before the second book and look forward to comparing the styles.
It's very strange to be reminded of some of the Michigan things that this novels brings back to memory... Boyne Mountain, Lake Charlevoix, REO Speedwagon, etc.
Overall, it's a fast fun read if a bit confused as to whether it wants to be a gay romance/coming out story or an autobiography. The prose is effective if a bit under-polished at points and the story is moving if somewhat inexpertly told.
While this book shows many of the traits of self-published fiction and could have used a bit more polishing, it is FAR better than many of the other efforts that have made it into E-books.
Personally, I had some moments of discomfort with the dominance /submission themes in the story but they were truthful and felt honest, even if the characters I'd been building in my head were a bit different.
I do plan on reading the sequel but the urge to acquire it is not urgent at this point. As an aspiring writer myself, I AM curious as to how much the author developed before the second book and look forward to comparing the styles.
