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tanja_alina_berg's review against another edition
2.0
2/5* - I HATED this book. Melodramatic and uninteresting from one end to the other. You may or may not get a review after I've digested Friday's bottle of wine, but it will NOT change the rating. Except possibly to a 1/5. There's an extra star added for the people who might actually enjoy this book. Can't believe I finished this. I feel sick just thinking about it.
******
Kate and Zoe, saint and sinner, both bicyclists hoping for a medal in the 2012 Olympics. They met when they were teens and have been friends since. Although "friends" is a bit rich, because Zoe doesn't know how to be friends with anyone, herself included. All she wants to do is win and she does what she can to psych her competition out. Kate is so caring she hardly remembers to have any ambition for herself. She has already missed out on two Olympics because she prioritized her daughter Sophie instead. Kate is also married to Jack, whom she met at the same time as Zoe. Of course there has been plenty of triangle drama going on up through the years. Jack and Kate's daughter Sophie has leukaemia. As the Olympics approaches, the question rises as to how Kate will prioritze this time.
The author skips back and forth between different episodes in the past and the present. It's not exactly difficult to follow, but the frequency of the skips made me dizzy. The over-emotional, sentimental undertone that permeated this novel grated on my nerves. I didn't really like any of the characters. Zoe's troubles interested me not a bit and I did not find her brother's death or mother's suicide any excuse for her intolerable behavior. Kate was such an underdog and so unselfish that she wasn't any more interesting either.
This was a serious waste of time on my part. I should have trusted my initial feeling and left it at page 20.
******
Kate and Zoe, saint and sinner, both bicyclists hoping for a medal in the 2012 Olympics. They met when they were teens and have been friends since. Although "friends" is a bit rich, because Zoe doesn't know how to be friends with anyone, herself included. All she wants to do is win and she does what she can to psych her competition out. Kate is so caring she hardly remembers to have any ambition for herself. She has already missed out on two Olympics because she prioritized her daughter Sophie instead. Kate is also married to Jack, whom she met at the same time as Zoe. Of course there has been plenty of triangle drama going on up through the years. Jack and Kate's daughter Sophie has leukaemia. As the Olympics approaches, the question rises as to how Kate will prioritze this time.
The author skips back and forth between different episodes in the past and the present. It's not exactly difficult to follow, but the frequency of the skips made me dizzy. The over-emotional, sentimental undertone that permeated this novel grated on my nerves. I didn't really like any of the characters. Zoe's troubles interested me not a bit and I did not find her brother's death or mother's suicide any excuse for her intolerable behavior. Kate was such an underdog and so unselfish that she wasn't any more interesting either.
This was a serious waste of time on my part. I should have trusted my initial feeling and left it at page 20.
hellocreativefamily's review against another edition
5.0
Chris Cleave gets inside the head of three Olympic athletes, their coach and daughter in his latest book. The ups and downs of friendships among people who compete against each other and live for the win is explored. Completely different from Cleave's previous book, Little Bee, yet just as incredible. I really enjoyed this book.
mewebb's review against another edition
5.0
Great book about 2 women training for the National Cycling Team.
jamietheriault's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. One of those reads where you want so badly to side with a character, but you just can't do it - the "bad guy" and the "good guy" is just so unclear. Another win by Chris Cleave.
cynmartin's review against another edition
4.0
With the 2012 summer Olympics Mere days away it Is the perfect time to read Chris Cleave's new book "Gold". Follow Kate, Jack and Zoe as they seek to win Gold in cycling, while dealing with a child's illness, ghosts and relationship issues amongst all three. Not knowing really anything about cycling it took me a bit to get into but once in I was on the edge of my seat. Gripping page turner for sure!
readwatchhike's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 I read this for book club and I’m looking forward to the discussion. I definitely learned things about biking and the story was interesting and well written.
twhissemore's review against another edition
3.0
I'm giving this 3.5 stars.
I had trouble getting into "Little Bee," but I took a chance on "Gold." I enjoyed the character development, though some of the plot was a wee bit cliche.
I had trouble getting into "Little Bee," but I took a chance on "Gold." I enjoyed the character development, though some of the plot was a wee bit cliche.