Gold - Book Review

At a fast, racing pace, Chris Cleave takes the reader on a journey that will leave you out of breath and with your heart pounding.

Kate and Zoe have been training with each other for years. As track cyclists at the top of their sport, their eyes are turned toward winning gold at the 2012 Olympics in London. Enemies at one moment and friends the next, their lives are entwined as they push themselves and each other to the finish line and victory.

Without hard chapter breaks, Cleave keeps the pace moving in Gold his latest novel, timed perfectly to be released just in time for the Olympics. How important is winning? What personal traits are needed to push oneself to the physical level necessary to compete in the Olympics? What would someone be willing to give up for gold? And what is more valuable that gold?


A psychological study of each character, the story only expands as Kate and Zoe, their coach Tom, Kate's husband Jack and daughter Sophie are brought to their very breaking points. Eight year old Sophie is fighting leukemia and her own personal strengths and victories are momentous and emotional. She may be my favorite literary character this year.


Whether you are rooting for Zoe or Kate in the final race, Gold is guaranteed to grab your  heart and you will be sure to look at each athlete differently this summer as they compete for gold.

Just so you know, if I were Middleborough, Massachusetts and could fine $20 for each swear word, I would have a nice little bank account. There are also a few sex scenes.

**I received a complimentary copy of Gold in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this post. **