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Everything is Free
Review
This is an unusual book, which I would not necessarily have chosen for myself, but I am glad I was sent it. It concerns homeless Mel, nineteen, who steps into the Greenvale Shopping Centre looking for somewhere warm to spend a cold December day. She ends up living in a department store, and using the items in the place as though she has a right to them. The security guard notices her on the CCTV, and is fascinated by her and her actions. She is also noticed by the girl in the coffee shop, and a young man who works in the technology centre. The effect she has upon everyone she encounters is amazing, and the effect she had on me was also very powerful. There is plenty in this book to cover by reading groups: homelessness, the problems of technology, the ever present threat of terrorism, the far right and their outdated ideas about the rights of women. The story haunted my dreams for days afterwards. Sue Goult, New Books Magazine --New Books Magazine
Product Description
When homeless 19-year-old Mel steps into the Greenvale Shopping Centre she s only looking for a warm place to spend a cold London December. But behind its glittering displays the Greenvale hides dark corridors and each person who crosses Mel's path is about to be drawn in. Mel's arrival sets in motion an unstoppable chain of events that will have a life-changing effect on anyone who gets close to her. There's no privacy in the Greenvale, where technology reveals everything except for the identity of who is watching who.
This is an unusual book, which I would not necessarily have chosen for myself, but I am glad I was sent it. It concerns homeless Mel, nineteen, who steps into the Greenvale Shopping Centre looking for somewhere warm to spend a cold December day. She ends up living in a department store, and using the items in the place as though she has a right to them. The security guard notices her on the CCTV, and is fascinated by her and her actions. She is also noticed by the girl in the coffee shop, and a young man who works in the technology centre. The effect she has upon everyone she encounters is amazing, and the effect she had on me was also very powerful. There is plenty in this book to cover by reading groups: homelessness, the problems of technology, the ever present threat of terrorism, the far right and their outdated ideas about the rights of women. The story haunted my dreams for days afterwards. Sue Goult, New Books Magazine --New Books Magazine
Product Description
When homeless 19-year-old Mel steps into the Greenvale Shopping Centre she s only looking for a warm place to spend a cold London December. But behind its glittering displays the Greenvale hides dark corridors and each person who crosses Mel's path is about to be drawn in. Mel's arrival sets in motion an unstoppable chain of events that will have a life-changing effect on anyone who gets close to her. There's no privacy in the Greenvale, where technology reveals everything except for the identity of who is watching who.
- GenresFiction
222 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2011
32 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 29, 2016
Having no idea what this story was about I had no expectations but what a great surprise! Very real characters, a page-turning storyline and excellent editing had me reading this late into the night.
January 2, 2021
I’ve always felt that shopping malls were little self-contained worlds. Author Adele Ward really drives that concept home as her protagonist, a pretty young girl named Mel, decides to make the Greenvale Shopping Centre her new home, quite literally. I envied her ability to instantly create a luxurious lifestyle, deftly and discreetly using all the resources the various stores had to offer.
But, of course, her perfect lifestyle can’t last forever. Even as careful as she is, she’s been noticed. And as you’ll soon learn, she’s not the only one finding escape and solace in Greenvale. I can say that without worry that it’s a spoiler because it’s not what you think.
The story is filled with a richly developed variety of characters, and you’ll get to know most of them quite intimately. This is a story filled with voyeurs, and *you*, dear reader, are one of them. Nothing escapes the watcher’s eye, right down to the minute details of personal body habits. It’s a bold move on the author’s part, taking us so painfully close to so many people.
The plot starts out simplistic, but constantly adds new layers, new problems, new situations, right up to the end. Some books are a rollercoaster ride. Everything is Free is more like the tick-tick-tick of the car climbing the rollercoaster tracks, slowly reaching for the top. I’ve not read a book like this before. I’m not sure I’d want to read another like it – I’d rather have it remain a singular experience.
But, of course, her perfect lifestyle can’t last forever. Even as careful as she is, she’s been noticed. And as you’ll soon learn, she’s not the only one finding escape and solace in Greenvale. I can say that without worry that it’s a spoiler because it’s not what you think.
The story is filled with a richly developed variety of characters, and you’ll get to know most of them quite intimately. This is a story filled with voyeurs, and *you*, dear reader, are one of them. Nothing escapes the watcher’s eye, right down to the minute details of personal body habits. It’s a bold move on the author’s part, taking us so painfully close to so many people.
The plot starts out simplistic, but constantly adds new layers, new problems, new situations, right up to the end. Some books are a rollercoaster ride. Everything is Free is more like the tick-tick-tick of the car climbing the rollercoaster tracks, slowly reaching for the top. I’ve not read a book like this before. I’m not sure I’d want to read another like it – I’d rather have it remain a singular experience.
December 21, 2012
A good story; a young adult might enjoy this more than I did.
December 10, 2016
The first book I haven't finished in years but I'm not getting any younger & I don't want to waste any more time on this when there are so many other books to read.
December 29, 2020
The plot itself is very good and I couldn't put the book down. It is centred on a shopping centre although the lack of security alarms seemed quite surprising. They always seem to be going off when I've been in one!
The one thing that I didn't like was some of the sub stories about an event that happened in America. I won't spoil it for others but I really didn't think that was necessary and the author could have used another example to illustrate how an event in one of the character's background has influenced their thought patterns.
The one thing that I didn't like was some of the sub stories about an event that happened in America. I won't spoil it for others but I really didn't think that was necessary and the author could have used another example to illustrate how an event in one of the character's background has influenced their thought patterns.
May 18, 2019
What a great premise and a fun read, with quite a few unexpected twists and turns.
January 12, 2017
I thought it was an unusual story, but I wasn't really satisfied with the way it ended.
September 6, 2012
A very original novel set within a shopping mall. The atmosphere is almost surreal in parts, the vivid sense of an artificial world where once the shops close, some sort of life is still continuing. The characters were refreshingly 'real'. I believed in their lives. This is a book in which writing boundaries are pushed - excellent!
March 13, 2015
A different sort of story, some nice characters and interesting scenarios. I think it deserves 3.5 starts actually (wish we could award part stars!) but not quite a 4 star read.. I was a bit disappointed with the ending... (edited later) Changed my mind.. decided it deserved 4 stars for it's originality :)
December 27, 2014
Neither a bang nor a whimper.
I was initially drawn to this book by its cover. I won't go into detail about the premise. I will say it kept me reading even with a bestseller waiting in my 'library'. I love to find a story seldom told, as I did here.
I was initially drawn to this book by its cover. I won't go into detail about the premise. I will say it kept me reading even with a bestseller waiting in my 'library'. I love to find a story seldom told, as I did here.
January 1, 2016
An unusual read, which at first, doesn't really entice. Then bingo! The twists and turns come into play with this homeless beauty using a department store as home and sets all sorts of play into motion.
January 1, 2015
Great book
I totally could not stop reading this book. It were as though something was gently pulling me toward the end. The author's ability to tell this story was amazing.
I totally could not stop reading this book. It were as though something was gently pulling me toward the end. The author's ability to tell this story was amazing.
December 23, 2016
Weird interesting book .
I could not stop reading I was pulled into this strange weird world filled w interesting people .Flawed people ..
I could not stop reading I was pulled into this strange weird world filled w interesting people .Flawed people ..
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews