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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I was disappointed in this book. The emotional friction seemed contrived. I didn't really care for the main characters. The story was not compelling.
I severely disliked Zoe but overall it was a good book, inspiring and definitely gave me a different perspective about Olympic Athletes, it's not something I would've picked out on my own but I'm glad I read it.
I read this because it was Newsweek's book club's summer pick. "Gold" follows three track cycling athletes as they prepare for the 2012 Olympics, flashing back to past competitions and personal conflicts. I could tell that the book was well-researched; it was interesting to get a glimpse of the dedication and single-mindedness it takes to train for a sport at this elite level. (Side recommendation: a far superior book about professional dedication and training is Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff )
The part that lagged was the exposition of the main characters' personal lives. Cleave took a page out of the Nicholas Sparks playbook with an overwrought, schmaltzy kid-with-cancer subplot. The sickness trumped any character development, and, of course, conveniently got worse at critical plot points. The central love triangle relied on tired character tropes, as well. The characters even spoke in cliches when arguing, joking, and communicating their feelings. I'd get it if Cleave was just trying to relay that these are single-minded athletes, not especially clever, eloquent people, but overall, it just felt like lazy writing.
The part that lagged was the exposition of the main characters' personal lives. Cleave took a page out of the Nicholas Sparks playbook with an overwrought, schmaltzy kid-with-cancer subplot. The sickness trumped any character development, and, of course, conveniently got worse at critical plot points. The central love triangle relied on tired character tropes, as well. The characters even spoke in cliches when arguing, joking, and communicating their feelings. I'd get it if Cleave was just trying to relay that these are single-minded athletes, not especially clever, eloquent people, but overall, it just felt like lazy writing.
I think really I would say 3.5. This was an interesting book for me. I liked the story a lot and it was very intense at times, but yet there is something holding me back a little on it. Not sure if it was part of the plot or the characters or something else. I am looking forward to discussing it at a book club tomorrow night to see if my opinion on it changes at all the more I think about it.
The plot is interesting, but it can be told in half the amount of pages it took to put this book together. I'm not a fan of the writing style; I wouldn't recommend it despite how every review of this book claims it's the most wonderful story ever written in the universe.
I had a hard time not giving this four stars, easily, because I honestly loved reading it. I knew I would love reading it just a few pages in when I realized that one of the main characters is an eight-year-old girl who loves Star Wars; I have a six-year-old daughter who loves Star Wars. And I think Chris Cleave gets the stuff about kids (and their parents) right. Incidentally, I thought this was true of Little Bee as well.
I don't think he writes about the relationships between men and women particularly well, though; that always feels a little clunky to me. And plot-wise -- well, I read the story quickly, and I was definitely absorbed and enjoying myself, but it was only slightly better than a Jodi Picoult novel for me. That's true of some of the writing, too. Sometimes I loved it; sometimes the metaphors seemed a bit too self-conscious.
But sometimes you just need to wrap up in an imperfect little book and be okay with rolling your eyes here and there while still really loving some parts of it, and that was this book for me. I'm glad two of my good friends read it around the same time so we can talk about it the next time we get together.
I don't think he writes about the relationships between men and women particularly well, though; that always feels a little clunky to me. And plot-wise -- well, I read the story quickly, and I was definitely absorbed and enjoying myself, but it was only slightly better than a Jodi Picoult novel for me. That's true of some of the writing, too. Sometimes I loved it; sometimes the metaphors seemed a bit too self-conscious.
But sometimes you just need to wrap up in an imperfect little book and be okay with rolling your eyes here and there while still really loving some parts of it, and that was this book for me. I'm glad two of my good friends read it around the same time so we can talk about it the next time we get together.
This would get three and a half stars if that was possible. The subject matter was unique and thoroughly enjoyable. As a cycling fan, Cleave's descriptions were thorough and spot-on, without being something I feel would bore a non-sports fan. They are integral to the book without being the entire focus -- you don't have to love cycling or even sport to love this book. Athleticism is central to the characters' lives, but, as rich, well-developed figures their lives -- and the book -- includes so much more.
Some reviewers compared this book to Little Bee. But I have not yet read Little Bee. I plan to after enjoying Gold. Cleave's Sincere, yet edgy writing style struck me as genuine and applicable to a wide range of subjects. I look forward to reading more of his work.
Some reviewers compared this book to Little Bee. But I have not yet read Little Bee. I plan to after enjoying Gold. Cleave's Sincere, yet edgy writing style struck me as genuine and applicable to a wide range of subjects. I look forward to reading more of his work.
I'm giving this book 4 stars because I got so emotionally involved with the characters that I couldn't put it down and just stayed up until 2:18 am reading it. I'm amazed by the amount of research the author must have done to write this book so believably. He wrote exciting cycling scenes, and was awesome at describing what it must be like to be an elite athlete. In addition, he was able to describe what it's like to parent/be a child with leukemia. Loved this book.
A very engaging story - it was definitely a page turner & the characters really draw you in (though the plot-lines erred on the side of melodrama).
Really enjoyed the read, but I got repeatedly annoyed as Cleave waxed a bit too poetic a bit too often. For example: "She looked along the curved black line that bent gravity around the locus of her fury and called in all her demons and bound them together into one infinitely hot point of energy in the centre of her."
Or: "What could you do, when you were born under a blue flashing light instead of a star sign? You could only keep ahead of your destiny."
Please.
Really enjoyed the read, but I got repeatedly annoyed as Cleave waxed a bit too poetic a bit too often. For example: "She looked along the curved black line that bent gravity around the locus of her fury and called in all her demons and bound them together into one infinitely hot point of energy in the centre of her."
Or: "What could you do, when you were born under a blue flashing light instead of a star sign? You could only keep ahead of your destiny."
Please.
This was very enjoyable. Good characters, good heart, some surprising drama, but I wanted to get swept up more in the competition and that just didn't happen.