Gold is a 2012 sports novel byBritish authorChris Cleave and was published bySimon & Schuster on 3 July 2012 in the US,[1] and bySceptre in the UK. The story focuses on the friendship and rivalry between two women and the effects that come from the choices they make and the events that they cannot prevent.
.jpg) First edition (UK) | |
| Author | Chris Cleave |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Publisher | Sceptre (UK) Simon & Schuster (US) |
Publication date | 3 July 2012 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 336 |
Plot
editGold follows two friends and professional cycling rivals, Kate Meadows and Zoe Castle, through their lives until the London Olympics. Meeting at the age of nineteen at a cycling challenge, Kate chooses a family over cycling while Zoe maintains her profession, winning several medals at both Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. Kate re-enters competitive cycling with hopes of competing in the London Olympics. Kate's daughter, Sophie, is seriously ill with leukemia during the preparation for the Olympics.
Background
editCleave stated that the then-upcoming2012 Summer Olympics prompted him to writeGold, with his children also serving as a source of inspiration.[2][3] He also did research on cycling as he wrote the book, with the book going through six drafts before its final version.[3][4]
Reception
editCritical reception forGold was positive,[5][6] with theGuardian praising it as "thrillingly good".[7] TheToronto Star andKirkus Reviews both gave positive reviews of the novel, with theStar stating thatGold was "a sports novel [that] transcends the tropes and clichés of sport journalism".[8][9]
TheTelegraph gave an ambivalent review forGold, saying that "Cleave’s writing style suggests that he enjoys the practical mechanics of his subject, but there are times when concrete, industrial images just can’t work".[10] Bruce Barcott of theNew York Times praisedGold but stated that instead of being the "“North Dallas Forty” or “Ball Four” of an obscure Olympic sport" it was "“Beaches” on bikes".[11]
References
edit- ^Jaffer, Nabeelah."A Novel of Olympian Ambition".Wall Street Journal. Retrieved2 October 2012.
- ^Quamme, Margaret."Sport of track cycling inspires intense novel by British author Chris Cleave".Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved2 October 2012.
- ^abPiechota, Jim."Going for 'Gold' with Chris Cleave".Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved2 October 2012.
- ^"Chris Cleave Goes for Literary 'Gold'".The Daily Beast. Retrieved2 October 2012.
- ^Maslin, Janet (8 July 2012)."Race for Medal Clouds All Else".New York Times. Retrieved2 October 2012.
- ^"Fiction Review: Gold by Chris Cleave".Publishers Weekly. 26 March 2012. Retrieved7 July 2012.
- ^Alex Preston (2 June 2012)."Gold by Chris Cleave – review".The Guardian. Retrieved7 July 2012.
- ^"GOLD by Chris Cleave".Kirkus Reviews. 5 March 2012.
- ^Patricia Hluchy (9 June 2012)."Chris Cleave's Golda gripping story about two female champion cyclists".Toronto Star. Retrieved7 July 2012.
- ^Greene, Caroline."Gold by Chris Cleave: review".Telegraph. Retrieved2 October 2012.
- ^Barcott, Bruce."On the Line".New York Times. Retrieved2 October 2012.