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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
This book started off with such promise, but a trite plot twist threw it all away for me. So disappointed.
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think it took a long time for this narrative to actually get anywhere. The author definitely focuses a lot on character development a lot and in this book it seems all of their development happens in the past, so there is a lot of back story rather than plot propelling narrative. It isn't until the last two or three chapters that my heart started to race (excuse the pun).
I thought this book was excellent. A page tuner. Nice ending.
Saying I liked this book is a bit of a stretch for me, but there were parts of this book that were better than just okay. I didn't real care for the pace of Cleave's storytelling or the cadence was off or something, but there was just something about this book that did not do it for me. I though the characters were developed superficially. However, there were a few really well developed lines in this book: Sophie feeling that she could survive cancer but perhaps not her parents, the truth that caring for a sick child is the Olympics of parenting and the idea that the permutation of "gold" can be risen in many different forms. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.
I loved this complicated novel about a bizarre love triangle among elite cyclists. Though every summary mentions Kate and Zoe and their status as rivals and friends, Kate's husband Jack has always been part of their codependent relationship. The book is a complex study about how far a person is willing to go to outrun her demons and win at all costs. It has one of the most heart-pounding climaxes I have ever read.
Like Little Bee, this one definitely pulls on the heartstrings and it's about a subject I never thought I'd enjoy reading about (Olympic cycling). Great read.
Little Bee was so much better...but if you're looking for a quick weekend distraction Gold is good for that.
I loved this story of two friends who are also rivals in elite British cycling. It's my first Chris Cleave and he deserves his reputation. Deeply human characters, compelling plot, humor, and pathos. Highly recommend. (salty language warning)