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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
This tale of competition, family, friendship, and love is pumped full of adrenaline and is quite a ride. Even though the writing is a bit overwrought at times, I simply could not put this one down. I never thought I'd enjoy a book about Olympic cycling, a sport I knew nothing about prior to reading Gold. Fortunately, I was wrong. The story of two women, arch-rivals and best friends, is a powerful read with plenty of ups, downs, twists and turns.
this was well written and entertaining, but some of the plot points were so predictable it took me out of it.. i wish a woman wrote this it wouldve been better
Not nearly as engaging as Little Bee. The characters were not complex, and I do mislike a martyr.
With each book I read by Chris Cleave, I become a more stalwart fan. I was a huge proponent of Little Bee, and talked it up to everyone I knew, but I actually think I preferred Gold. Granted, I don't remember much about Little Bee because it's been a few years since I read it, but both Bee and Incendiary broke my heart. While Gold deals with some tough subject material, Cleave used a lighter tone in telling this one, which I appreciated it. I actually even laughed occasionally while reading.
I also was able to identify with these characters a bit more than the females in Cleave's other books, if only because the difficulties they faced weren't always extraordinary or so heartbreakingly difficult (for me) to read that I had to disassociate myself from their pain. Their inner monologues rang true to me, and I liked both Kate and Zoe. I was invested in their lives, and the outcome of this story. Definitely a worthwhile read.
I also was able to identify with these characters a bit more than the females in Cleave's other books, if only because the difficulties they faced weren't always extraordinary or so heartbreakingly difficult (for me) to read that I had to disassociate myself from their pain. Their inner monologues rang true to me, and I liked both Kate and Zoe. I was invested in their lives, and the outcome of this story. Definitely a worthwhile read.
A quick, compelling read that starts slower and builds in tension throughout.
Great book to read while the Olympics are going on. The athletes are all so amazing but as this book points out, they are human as well.
This is a powerful book. There were moments when I felt like my head and heart were pounding in time with the cyclists who were racing. I think that is a beautiful thing, when an author can affect my body in a physical way with WORDS.
There is an intense, raw protectiveness the reader feels over the main character when devouring Little Bee. Chris Cleave has a masterful way of making you fall in love with his characters, his very real and flawed characters. I love Jack's choices. I love his relationship with his daughter, which seems based in awe. I love Tom's loyalty, his hilarious and sad incident in the bathtub and his deep connection to Zoe. I love Zoe's drive, her fearless self-denial that tells her she is not running from pain, her humanity, her acceptance of emotion, her final race which shows her true colors. But most of all, I felt a kinship with Kate, who walked the hairwidth tightrope between dream and duty, between selfishness and selflessness and who won in the game of life.
What a fantastic book. I am thrilled that Chris Cleave has continued to invent these women who feel like real people. Such a gift.
There is an intense, raw protectiveness the reader feels over the main character when devouring Little Bee. Chris Cleave has a masterful way of making you fall in love with his characters, his very real and flawed characters. I love Jack's choices. I love his relationship with his daughter, which seems based in awe. I love Tom's loyalty, his hilarious and sad incident in the bathtub and his deep connection to Zoe. I love Zoe's drive, her fearless self-denial that tells her she is not running from pain, her humanity, her acceptance of emotion, her final race which shows her true colors. But most of all, I felt a kinship with Kate, who walked the hairwidth tightrope between dream and duty, between selfishness and selflessness and who won in the game of life.
What a fantastic book. I am thrilled that Chris Cleave has continued to invent these women who feel like real people. Such a gift.
I was captivated from page one. I cared about each of the five characters through whom Cleave tells the story (in close 3rd person p.o.v.) equally. The changes in close pov flow expertly, giving just the right perspective in each scene to build it with maximum impact. Cleave's language is precise and lyrical. Tension mounts as time grows increasingly important on a variety of levels. I was moved by the choices the characters make, taken in by the vigorous language, and utterly thrilled at the pacing.
I thought Gold perfectly captured the sense of competition women feel- even with our own friends. We want to be the best at our jobs, have the perfect husband and family- we want to have it all. But alas, the grass is always greener. An Olympic gold medalist wants a husband and child, while another athlete gives up her Olympic dreams to care for her sick child. I thought the pacing of this book was great, there were a few unexpected big reveals- I really enjoyed it. It wasn't Little Bee; but it was still excellent in its own right.
There were moments where I couldn't stop reading - but the ending really came up short (especially compared to his other work). Helped to read with the Olympics in the background...