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The Venus Zone
Thibault thinks he’s meeting up with his eccentric uncle Henry for a European road trip before starting at Oxford University. Henry, though, has other plans. Hours after arriving in London, Thibault is an accomplice to the blackmail and kidnapping of the CEO of a major mining company. And he’s met his cousin Venus, a dazzling seventeen-year-old poet from Boston, who will stop at nothing to ‘bring down capitalism.’
And so begins an adventure across Europe – from London to Luxembourg to glittering hotels in the South of France, Thibault embarks with Henry and Venus on a mission that will change him, his family (and maybe the corporate world) forever.
A story of love and activism in the Europe of today, The Venus Zone won the Luxembourg National Literature Competition in 2016.
And so begins an adventure across Europe – from London to Luxembourg to glittering hotels in the South of France, Thibault embarks with Henry and Venus on a mission that will change him, his family (and maybe the corporate world) forever.
A story of love and activism in the Europe of today, The Venus Zone won the Luxembourg National Literature Competition in 2016.
310 pages, Paperback
Published February 25, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 13, 2017
A young man in love with his eccentric American cousin? A plot to bring down an international company (and all of capitalism)? The ins and outs of tax evasion?
None of these things are what I usually look for in a novel, but the more pages I turned in James Leader's "The Venus Zone", the more I enjoyed reading about them. Thibault is a convincing narrator - plagued by the typical insecurities of young adulthood and a percieved sense of ignorance (especially compared with the infamous Venus) - and offers a gentle immersion into his uncle's plot to cripple major international company Albion. The Eurotrip Thibault and his relatives embark on is filled with both whimsy and surprises - buddhist monks with an internet problem, overpriced cocktails in one of the French Riviera's fanciest hotel - and leaves the reader with the sense of having been wrenched out of their comfort zone and into the "Venus Zone" itself, a territory of self-discovery and uncomfortable truths that we must all cross at some point in our lives, if only to better understand our own shortcomings and reservations.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys multiple literary references, journeys of self-discovery and impossible love stories.
None of these things are what I usually look for in a novel, but the more pages I turned in James Leader's "The Venus Zone", the more I enjoyed reading about them. Thibault is a convincing narrator - plagued by the typical insecurities of young adulthood and a percieved sense of ignorance (especially compared with the infamous Venus) - and offers a gentle immersion into his uncle's plot to cripple major international company Albion. The Eurotrip Thibault and his relatives embark on is filled with both whimsy and surprises - buddhist monks with an internet problem, overpriced cocktails in one of the French Riviera's fanciest hotel - and leaves the reader with the sense of having been wrenched out of their comfort zone and into the "Venus Zone" itself, a territory of self-discovery and uncomfortable truths that we must all cross at some point in our lives, if only to better understand our own shortcomings and reservations.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys multiple literary references, journeys of self-discovery and impossible love stories.
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January 1, 2019What do we have?
- a teenage boy
- a road trip
- falling in love with a (manic pixie dream?) girl
- many literary references
Sounds like a John Green novel? Well. It isn’t!
This novel offers additionally:
- family love and hatred
- secrets
- monks who live in France
- the demolition of capitalism (or maybe not)
- a teenage boy
- a road trip
- falling in love with a (manic pixie dream?) girl
- many literary references
Sounds like a John Green novel? Well. It isn’t!
This novel offers additionally:
- family love and hatred
- secrets
- monks who live in France
- the demolition of capitalism (or maybe not)
May 11, 2017
Another great novel! I want to thank the author James Leader for sending me a copy of his novel! I’ve read another novel from this author and just like the first one, it was a delight to read.
Thibault's life is running smoothly: he has been accepted into Oxford University and he’s going on a road trip through Europe with his strange uncle Henry. Until life takes a turn that is starting with the introduction of Venus, Thibault’s American cousin with the mind of a poet and a unique character. Right after arriving to London, the young teenager gets more than he bargained for when he gets involved in a plot to bring down capitalism which includes the kidnapping and the blackmail of the CEO of a powerful mining company. Follow the journey of Thibault in his adventure through politics, tax evasion and love.
The style of writing is great and it really pulled me into the story and the characters. The story is seen through Thibault’s eyes and most of it is dialogue, which makes the novel both interactive and easy to follow.
The countries in the novel are also very interesting to read about. What I appreciated the most was the clear connection and reasoning between the story-line and the countries through which the characters travel to. Very well thought and organised. For me, I would have liked to see a bit more description of these wonderful places, but I know that wasn’t the point since the story is more focused on the characters and “the plan”.
Now to my favourite part: the characters. Thibault is a great main character and narrator: he’s a teenager in search of his path in life and in the process stumbles on love. He’s a sweet boy with a passion for art, not afraid to follow his dreams. At the same time he is a bit at loss when it comes to his feelings for Venus and his lack of literary knowledge is hilarious. Even after being pulled into an insane plan to bring down capitalism, Thibault always remains faithful to himself and his decisions. He is genuine and pure at heart even if he is a bit clueless at times. Venus is someone else entirely. As a poet and a writer, Venus is a know-it-all when it comes to literature, authors and their correspondent works. She is a great female lead: a very head-strong woman with an iron determination and fiery passion and I really enjoyed seeing how her relationship with Thibault develops throughout the story. I think they influence each other is the best way possible while realising that life isn’t all black and white and that the path of self-discovering of who they are and who they’re meant to be doesn’t come easy, but it’s worth it.
I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good adventure with a bit of comedy, fun and literature references!
Thibault's life is running smoothly: he has been accepted into Oxford University and he’s going on a road trip through Europe with his strange uncle Henry. Until life takes a turn that is starting with the introduction of Venus, Thibault’s American cousin with the mind of a poet and a unique character. Right after arriving to London, the young teenager gets more than he bargained for when he gets involved in a plot to bring down capitalism which includes the kidnapping and the blackmail of the CEO of a powerful mining company. Follow the journey of Thibault in his adventure through politics, tax evasion and love.
The style of writing is great and it really pulled me into the story and the characters. The story is seen through Thibault’s eyes and most of it is dialogue, which makes the novel both interactive and easy to follow.
The countries in the novel are also very interesting to read about. What I appreciated the most was the clear connection and reasoning between the story-line and the countries through which the characters travel to. Very well thought and organised. For me, I would have liked to see a bit more description of these wonderful places, but I know that wasn’t the point since the story is more focused on the characters and “the plan”.
Now to my favourite part: the characters. Thibault is a great main character and narrator: he’s a teenager in search of his path in life and in the process stumbles on love. He’s a sweet boy with a passion for art, not afraid to follow his dreams. At the same time he is a bit at loss when it comes to his feelings for Venus and his lack of literary knowledge is hilarious. Even after being pulled into an insane plan to bring down capitalism, Thibault always remains faithful to himself and his decisions. He is genuine and pure at heart even if he is a bit clueless at times. Venus is someone else entirely. As a poet and a writer, Venus is a know-it-all when it comes to literature, authors and their correspondent works. She is a great female lead: a very head-strong woman with an iron determination and fiery passion and I really enjoyed seeing how her relationship with Thibault develops throughout the story. I think they influence each other is the best way possible while realising that life isn’t all black and white and that the path of self-discovering of who they are and who they’re meant to be doesn’t come easy, but it’s worth it.
I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good adventure with a bit of comedy, fun and literature references!
March 7, 2022
Where to begin..
"Cousin-marriage seems like abortion, a big thing for a lot of Americans, and something we don't care about in Europe." Wait, what? Is this author an American? I looked it up, he is not. I'm confused, are Europeans okay with cousin marriages? Maybe it is based on historical Europe, a time where it was okay to marry your cousin. It is not that I'm morally against it, I think.. But this comment was surprising to say the least.
The Venus Zone is a story of love, family and activism, set in Europe. The writing could have been better, [I noticed some typos which can be improved by an editor]. I was also not convinced by the blackmail and kidnapping, I mean, really? HOWEVER, I was very much involved in the love story and when the big reveal happened about the 'dad thing', I was so surprised and impressed by the progression of the story. I did not stop reading from that moment on.
I will say, it's not the best book, but maybe it's my kind of book. There is a lot of pretentious talk about politics, activism and literature, which I kind of like. The characters are morally grey (a bit underdeveloped, but okay) and I'm very much into European cities.
A fun book to read, which I bought in the city of Luxembourg!
"Cousin-marriage seems like abortion, a big thing for a lot of Americans, and something we don't care about in Europe." Wait, what? Is this author an American? I looked it up, he is not. I'm confused, are Europeans okay with cousin marriages? Maybe it is based on historical Europe, a time where it was okay to marry your cousin. It is not that I'm morally against it, I think.. But this comment was surprising to say the least.
The Venus Zone is a story of love, family and activism, set in Europe. The writing could have been better, [I noticed some typos which can be improved by an editor]. I was also not convinced by the blackmail and kidnapping, I mean, really? HOWEVER, I was very much involved in the love story and when the big reveal happened about the 'dad thing', I was so surprised and impressed by the progression of the story. I did not stop reading from that moment on.
I will say, it's not the best book, but maybe it's my kind of book. There is a lot of pretentious talk about politics, activism and literature, which I kind of like. The characters are morally grey (a bit underdeveloped, but okay) and I'm very much into European cities.
A fun book to read, which I bought in the city of Luxembourg!
May 8, 2019
It was written well enough but it wasn't my "cup of tea". I don't care for literary references throughout any book. That has been done over and over again and it simply doesn't appeal to me.
May 6, 2017
It was refreshing to read a YA novel touching on a subject like politics and I enjoyed seeing Thibault and Venus develop as characters in the end. This novel also taught me something new like how apparently romantic relationships between cousins is not taboo - and I've lived in Luxembourg most of my life.
It hurts to say that I can't sympathise with or see Venus as a realistic character, given that I am often around rebellious girls and "Social Justice Warriors". This is a shame because, to me, Venus is the only fleshed out character in this story.
Whether it may be the culture I was raised in, the casual approach to the incestous relationship made me very uncomfortable. Perhaps it was important to the story in some way I didn't notice (Reference to the Jude & Sue novel?), but it did not improve the story for me.
Overall an enjoyable read, would recommend to a teenage boy searching for a "muse".
It hurts to say that I can't sympathise with or see Venus as a realistic character, given that I am often around rebellious girls and "Social Justice Warriors". This is a shame because, to me, Venus is the only fleshed out character in this story.
Whether it may be the culture I was raised in, the casual approach to the incestous relationship made me very uncomfortable. Perhaps it was important to the story in some way I didn't notice (Reference to the Jude & Sue novel?), but it did not improve the story for me.
Overall an enjoyable read, would recommend to a teenage boy searching for a "muse".
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews