First reactions to GOLD

A few booksellers have now seen a proof copy of my new novel, GOLD, which is coming out in the spring. Here are their first reactions…

“As with Little Bee, Chris Cleave has written a novel that encompasses love, compassion, and tragedy through which emerges the goodness of mankind and the importance of friendship. One reads the pages of Gold like they were racing Kate and Zoe on the track of the velodrome—fast, unstopping, breathing hard until the next page where you have to hold your breath to see who wins the heat….Emotionally stunning, brilliantly written…You will hold on for the ride.”

—Annie Philbrick, Bank Square Books, Mystic, CT

“I do not how Chris does it—he makes you feel every little nuance and detail…You feel as if you have known [the characters] all your life… I loved this book and cannot wait to pass it around to all of my colleagues at work. Gold medal to Chris Cleave for writing an amazing book!”

—Toni Ness, Barnes & Noble, Grand Rapids, MI

“Gold is about parenthood, relationships, priorities, and the sacrifices that are made for love, or fear. It’s about celebrity and intimacy, the trials of competition on your head and heart, and about figuring out who you are and remaining true to that….Gold runs through a gauntlet of emotions that will not leave that reader untouched. More simply, this is a marvelous and enveloping read.”

—Jackie Belm, Tattered Cover, Denver, CO

“Chris Cleave has scored another ‘gold’ with his latest novel….Like Little Bee and Incendiary, it is impossible to describe; rather, it is one of those rare books you can’t wait to put into the hands of the reader and say, ‘Trust me on this one.’”

—Beth Black, The Bookworm, Omaha, NE

“Chris Cleave is a wonderful storyteller and Gold is as compelling a read as Little Bee….You will love these characters who are struggling to understand what is the right choice to make….I became so engaged with both Zoe and Kate that I didn’t know what to hope for.”

—Jeanne Costello, Maria’s Bookshop, Durango, CO

“I truly loved and enjoyed Gold! Chris Cleave has written another terrific story that will not disappoint his Little Bee fans and will only broaden his fan base. And how could you not love Sophie?”

—Susan Barthold, Barnes & Noble #2782, Willow Grove, PA

“Chris Cleave is already one of the luminaries of modern fiction and his talent shines just as brightly as the title in Gold. In a novel centered on the world of competitive cycling, he gives all of the work and trauma of that elite society but, more importantly, shows us the same work and trauma involved in the ordinary lives of his characters, particularly eight-year-old Sophie, who suffers from leukemia and demonstrates the same determination and courage of the world class riders. This is a novel that inspires, informs, provides sadness and exhilaration and shows empathy for the human condition that is rare. It is a reading experience not to be missed.”

—Bill Cusumano, Nicola’s Books, Ann Arbor, MI

“Gold vibrates and rattles the psyche—and made me gasp, smile and cheer. Chris Cleave has done it again!”

—Ed Conklin, Chaucer’s Books, Santa Barbara, CA

“Using the microcosm of Olympic level biking and all the sacrifice that the athletes make for one shining moment, juxtaposed with the very real threat of losing a child, Cleave has ripped my heart out again with a family story where the lines are blurred and at the end there is only life left for us to ponder.”

—Valerie Koehler, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX

“Gold by Chris Cleave is as riveting as an Olympic race for a gold medal.”

—Patricia Sanders, Barnes & Noble #2940, Towson, MD

“Gold is a heartbreakingly wonderful novel. Cleave has written a breathtaking, multi-layered tale that has everything a good book needs: love, friendship, suspense, heart-pounding races, twists, turns, humor and of course, Star Wars references. I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of the next page wondering where the story would go and unable to put the book down until I read just one more page. Cleave has an unbelievable talent for writing about characters you fall in love with and want to keep reading about. I don’t know which character I love the most, but I didn’t want their stories to end…And how can you not fall in love with Sophie? Gold is destined to be a bestseller. Like Little Bee, when you finish the book, you want to talk about it…you want to tell someone they HAVE to read this amazing book.”

—Eric Sample, Barnes & Noble #2305, Cedar Hill, TX