Gold: Sneak Preview with Bonus Essays

by Chris Cleave

58 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Dr Chris Cleave is a New York Times #1 bestselling novelist, a chartered psychologist and a psychotherapist. He writes a weekly piece on humanity and healing at http://chriscleave.substack.com

Chris was born in London and spent his early years in Cameroon. His novels are:
INCENDIARY
LITTLE BEE
(THE OTHER HAND)
GOLD
EVERYONE BRAVE IS FORGIVEN

He lives in London with his wife and some of their three adult children.

Website at http://www.chriscleave.com

Reviews

[Dadi Krismatono · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ini adalah novel kedua penulis Inggris Chris Cleave yang saya baca dengan dimulai alasan yang sama: ada diskon lumayan di toko buku di bandara. Saya mengambilnya, baca beberapa halaman ketika pesawat lepas landas dan biasanya tertidur sampai kota tujuan…

Cleave punya kejelian untuk mencari setting yang tidak biasa dan disajikan dengan menarik, tentu lewat riset yang mendalam. Pada novel sebelumnya “The Other Hand”(judul untuk edisi yang terbit di Inggris) atau “Little Bee” (2008), mengambil tempat mulai dari Nigeria di tengah konflik etnis dan perebutan minyak hingga Inggris, dengan penggalan yang menarik di lokasi penampungan pengungsi di Inggris.

Pada Gold (2012), settingnya adalah olahraga sepeda tingkat Olimpiade. Beberapa atlet Inggris tingkat dunia dengan segala pergulatan fisik dan batin. Membaca novel ini saya baru tahu bahwa atlet sepeda membutuhkan warming down sama pentingnya dengan warming up karena tubuh mereka baru saja dipacu sampai titik optimum untuk menghasilkan kecepatan yang superhuman. Persaingan, hasrat ingin menang, dan beban-beban di luar arena pertandingan diramu menjadi drama yang cukup memikat. Suasana latihan, kehidupan di rumah atlet kelas dunia, hingga hingar-bingar Olimpiade dihadirkan. “Keberanian” Cleave menggunakan peristiwa Olimpiade beneran (Athena, Beijing dan London) membuat twist antara realitas dan fiksi yang menarik.

Ada beberapa kalimat yang “chicken soupy” dan “marioteguhesque” tapi ada juga beberapa tohokan puitis yang mengejutkan di dalam novel ini.

[Mel Fling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care for any of the characters in the book. And thought the ending was lame. This is probably my last Chris Cleave book, he needs to stop writing women characters.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zoe and Kate have raced competitively since they were 19 years old. Zoe competed in the Olympics, while Kate missed out as she decided being a mother was more important. Now at age 32, both women are ready for the London Olympics when the British Cycling Association decide only 1 athlete can compete. Their coach decides on a best out of 3 race off between the two girls.

I had a difficult time liking Zoe. While I could appreciate her competitive spirit, her actions always seemed cruel. Kate on the other hand was sweet and a graceful loser when it came to racing. It took me until the last chapter to appreciate the pain Zoe had gone through all her life which explained her caustic personality.

[Pippa Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inside look at the challenges of competitive bike racing, and a plot that was a surprise, right up to the ending. But too many not quite believable parts, that weakened the story line. Still, it was a good read.

[Denali · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really didn't enjoy the characters and thought the ending was a cop out. I get that Cleave is trying to dig deeper into the lives of professional women and how they are judged (and judge themselevs) but I wasn't buying it.

[Leigh Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely AWESOME!! One of the best books I have ever read! I couldn't put it down!