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Consumption
Who can a girl with a broken heart rely on if not her gay best friend?
Sara Sexton and Martin Blake are besties so it was natural for her to flee to him after breaking up with a Greek lover. But Martin has changed, preoccupied with his new business. In Hong Kong, he's a high-profile, high-dollar interior designer.
When Sara meets Andy Harris, a romantic with a bodaciouis bubble-butt, Martin's still on the market and not happy. Seems Martin's only happy when Sara's alone and miserable. Got any 'friends' like that? Now Sara has to juggle a consuming old friendship and a blossoming romance... And how does a girl do that? And what happens when she's forced to choose between the past and the future?
Sara Sexton and Martin Blake are besties so it was natural for her to flee to him after breaking up with a Greek lover. But Martin has changed, preoccupied with his new business. In Hong Kong, he's a high-profile, high-dollar interior designer.
When Sara meets Andy Harris, a romantic with a bodaciouis bubble-butt, Martin's still on the market and not happy. Seems Martin's only happy when Sara's alone and miserable. Got any 'friends' like that? Now Sara has to juggle a consuming old friendship and a blossoming romance... And how does a girl do that? And what happens when she's forced to choose between the past and the future?
- GenresFiction
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2011
74 people want to read
About the author
G.S. Johnston
4 books90 followersG.S. Johnston is the author of three historical novels, Sweet Bitter Cane (2019), The Cast of a Hand (2015), The Skin of Water (2012). And a fourth novel set in contemporary Hong Kong, Consumption (2011). The novels are noted for their complex characters and well-researched settings.
In one form or another, Johnston has always written, at first composing music and lyrics. After completing a degree in pharmacy, a year in Italy re-ignited his passion for writing and he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. Feeling the need for a broader canvas, he started writing short stories and novels.
Originally from Hobart, Tasmania, Johnston currently lives in Canberra, Australia. He is treasurer of the Historical Novel Society Australasia. Find more fabulous things at www.gsjohnston.com
He would be impressed with humanity if someone could succeed in putting an extra hour in every day.
Visit him online at www.gsjohnston.com
Twitter at @GS_Johnston
Facebook www.facebook.com/GSJohnston.author
In one form or another, Johnston has always written, at first composing music and lyrics. After completing a degree in pharmacy, a year in Italy re-ignited his passion for writing and he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. Feeling the need for a broader canvas, he started writing short stories and novels.
Originally from Hobart, Tasmania, Johnston currently lives in Canberra, Australia. He is treasurer of the Historical Novel Society Australasia. Find more fabulous things at www.gsjohnston.com
He would be impressed with humanity if someone could succeed in putting an extra hour in every day.
Visit him online at www.gsjohnston.com
Twitter at @GS_Johnston
Facebook www.facebook.com/GSJohnston.author
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 29, 2011
My review:
Consumption: A Novel is a book which will haunt you for long time after you finish reading it. It is that good! It was a very good and easy read, the language was very professional and the story itself very captivating. This book is about friendship, letting go and cutting the relationships. It’s a sad and happy story in the same time. I would highly recommend this book to people who love serious novels. I said, it was easy to read, but you should be warned that the topics which the novel touches are complicated. It’s a story about human behavior through friendship. Friendship which consumes everything and everybody you have. It’s a must read!
Regarding the plot:
The story follows friendship between Sara Sexton and her childhood friend Martin Blake through decades. It starts with Sara visiting Martin where Sara realizes that Martin has changed into high-profile interior designer in Hong-Kong.
Their friendship changes, especially after Sara is meeting Andy. Martin gets more possessive over his friendship with Sara and Sara’s life is suffering due to that.
The plot flows. There is not much action in the book, but it keeps you interested until the last page is turned. It shows the best and worst parts of friendship and how it can influence your life and your world.
Regarding the characters:
I felt for Sara and was sometimes really annoyed by the fact that she kept the friendship alive and did not want to let go of Martin. In the same time I felt sympathy for her. She was a strong woman with one specific weakness – her friendship with Martin. Martin was so complex until you found out what was wrong with him. He seemed empty as a person, but still very interesting as a character.
In my opinion there was a third main character as well – consumption. Be it consuming goods or people, the consumption played a huge role in this book.
Generally:
If you like contemporary novels, this book is a must read. It is painful, but brilliant book!
5 stars!
Consumption: A Novel is a book which will haunt you for long time after you finish reading it. It is that good! It was a very good and easy read, the language was very professional and the story itself very captivating. This book is about friendship, letting go and cutting the relationships. It’s a sad and happy story in the same time. I would highly recommend this book to people who love serious novels. I said, it was easy to read, but you should be warned that the topics which the novel touches are complicated. It’s a story about human behavior through friendship. Friendship which consumes everything and everybody you have. It’s a must read!
Regarding the plot:
The story follows friendship between Sara Sexton and her childhood friend Martin Blake through decades. It starts with Sara visiting Martin where Sara realizes that Martin has changed into high-profile interior designer in Hong-Kong.
Their friendship changes, especially after Sara is meeting Andy. Martin gets more possessive over his friendship with Sara and Sara’s life is suffering due to that.
The plot flows. There is not much action in the book, but it keeps you interested until the last page is turned. It shows the best and worst parts of friendship and how it can influence your life and your world.
Regarding the characters:
I felt for Sara and was sometimes really annoyed by the fact that she kept the friendship alive and did not want to let go of Martin. In the same time I felt sympathy for her. She was a strong woman with one specific weakness – her friendship with Martin. Martin was so complex until you found out what was wrong with him. He seemed empty as a person, but still very interesting as a character.
In my opinion there was a third main character as well – consumption. Be it consuming goods or people, the consumption played a huge role in this book.
Generally:
If you like contemporary novels, this book is a must read. It is painful, but brilliant book!
5 stars!
October 8, 2011
Consumption speaks to what a lot of people face at some point in their lives. A friendship that once was healthy and vibrant turns unhealthy and toxic. It really sucks and hurts when it happens and even if the relationship has lost its gleam, it's hard to say goodbye and let go. In Consumption, Sarah hasn't quite been able to let her old friend, Martin, go. Martin hasn't treated Sarah the best in the past couple years but Sarah is convinced that Martin is just going through some sort of prolonged phase and that eventually they will get their friendship back to where it should be.
I totally sympathized with Sarah. I'm usually able to overlook (ahem, ignore) issues that I have with other people in my life, usually to my own and the relationship's detriment. Sarah eventually uncovers all that Martin had lied to her about and realizes another universal truth: we can't always know everything about the people in our lives that we love and truly care about. That seems to be a hard wrought lesson for just about everyone.
By now, you all know that I fancy myself an armchair traveler. This book's setting was intriguing. We follow Sarah from Greece to Hong Kong (where Martin works and lives) to Australia. I loved all of the different places in the book. I really thought the author did a good job of incorporating the sense of place within the book.
I totally sympathized with Sarah. I'm usually able to overlook (ahem, ignore) issues that I have with other people in my life, usually to my own and the relationship's detriment. Sarah eventually uncovers all that Martin had lied to her about and realizes another universal truth: we can't always know everything about the people in our lives that we love and truly care about. That seems to be a hard wrought lesson for just about everyone.
By now, you all know that I fancy myself an armchair traveler. This book's setting was intriguing. We follow Sarah from Greece to Hong Kong (where Martin works and lives) to Australia. I loved all of the different places in the book. I really thought the author did a good job of incorporating the sense of place within the book.
September 30, 2011
I bought this because a friend on goodreads recommended it. I was also interested by the blurb about what it had to say about deep friendships. There are a million and one romance novels but not many that deal with intense friendships. The realtionship between Sara and Martin is very intense. The fact that they don't have a sexual relationship really has nothing to diminish the intensity. I really understood Sara's fear that if she cut herself off from Martin there would be consequences. I guess she just didn't see what happened in the end coming. Great ending. Great novel. Read it!
January 22, 2012
A fantastic read. Engaging, exciting and emotional. Well written and well paced. You can easily get lured into reading this one from start to finish in one sitting - Be prepared for late night reading and a few tired mornings!
September 24, 2012
Sarah Sexton and Martin Blake have been friends since primary school. They are bound together not by blood or by attraction, but by a deep sense of understanding and acceptance of the other. However, as they begin their adult lives, Martin and Sarah take very different paths. Sarah's friends wonder what it is about Sarah and Martin. They have nothing in common. Eventually Sarah begins to wonder about her friendship with Martin as well. He's her oldest friend, but he can be toxic. People leave Sarah's life because of Martin. But Martin needs Sarah. How can she cut off her oldest friend?
This novel made me realize something I didn't think was possible - that is, I could love a story while despising one of the two main characters. However, as much as I didn't like Martin, I had a certain sympathy for him. I wanted to scream at Sarah for not setting boundaries, but I understood her reasons. Loving someone without conditions means not setting boundaries. But does love mean letting yourself be consumed by another?
This was a great read on so many levels. I was drawn in by the strong dialogue and the intricate web of relationships around Sarah and Martin. I also enjoyed the settings - Sydney, Australia and Hong Kong. I've never been to either of these places, but the author did a wonderful job of describing them and they felt familiar by the time I was halfway through the novel.
I'd read The Skin of Water by this same author and absolutely loved it. Consumption is very different in its topic, and yet contains the same wonderful writing and characterization as The Skin of Water. I highly recommend both novels.
This novel made me realize something I didn't think was possible - that is, I could love a story while despising one of the two main characters. However, as much as I didn't like Martin, I had a certain sympathy for him. I wanted to scream at Sarah for not setting boundaries, but I understood her reasons. Loving someone without conditions means not setting boundaries. But does love mean letting yourself be consumed by another?
This was a great read on so many levels. I was drawn in by the strong dialogue and the intricate web of relationships around Sarah and Martin. I also enjoyed the settings - Sydney, Australia and Hong Kong. I've never been to either of these places, but the author did a wonderful job of describing them and they felt familiar by the time I was halfway through the novel.
I'd read The Skin of Water by this same author and absolutely loved it. Consumption is very different in its topic, and yet contains the same wonderful writing and characterization as The Skin of Water. I highly recommend both novels.
September 9, 2012
The novel "Consumption", by G. S. Johnston just may consume you. The story is about Sara Sexton and Martin Blake, who have been friends since grade school where they bonded over the loss of their fathers. Through the years they've shared each others joys, sorrows and secrets.
When Sara breaks up with her lover and ends her year in Greece to return home to Australia, she stops in Hong Kong to see Martin and be consoled. Martin is a much sought after designer in Hong Kong, while Sara is now adrift with no set focus.
As the years go by she meets a new love, Andy. Once Martin realizes she is happy he works to make her miserable and break up her relationship. Eventually Sara must choose between the old and the new.
Johnston has really brought the characters to life. You can understand the dilemma Sara is in and how difficult it would be to break free. Martin is diabolical. Loving and sympathetic on the surface and manipulative and cunning beneath it all. The setting of Hong Kong is very vivid as well. I almost felt like I was there wandering the city.
A great read! It will linger with you after you've finished.
When Sara breaks up with her lover and ends her year in Greece to return home to Australia, she stops in Hong Kong to see Martin and be consoled. Martin is a much sought after designer in Hong Kong, while Sara is now adrift with no set focus.
As the years go by she meets a new love, Andy. Once Martin realizes she is happy he works to make her miserable and break up her relationship. Eventually Sara must choose between the old and the new.
Johnston has really brought the characters to life. You can understand the dilemma Sara is in and how difficult it would be to break free. Martin is diabolical. Loving and sympathetic on the surface and manipulative and cunning beneath it all. The setting of Hong Kong is very vivid as well. I almost felt like I was there wandering the city.
A great read! It will linger with you after you've finished.
March 10, 2013
I sooooo loved The Skin Of Water by G.S. Johnson - the characters are so lovable and the story sooooo captivating . I never wanted the book to end and think about the story often .
I just knew I would instantly love Consumption as well . I was super excited when I was able to get it on my Kindle for free ....
What I did was instantly struggle with this book. It was a slow start for me and I found myself hating the characters ! I hung in there though - the writing style , while different from The Skin Of Water is still good . It began to pick up pace a third of the way in and then I was hooked . I had to see where it went and what happened to the characters I had come to dislike .
It the end I found it a thought provoking story - how does one hang onto a childhood friend that is totally less than honest ? How many times do you let their dysfunction cause you grief ? When is enough of their bullshit enough ?
I just knew I would instantly love Consumption as well . I was super excited when I was able to get it on my Kindle for free ....
What I did was instantly struggle with this book. It was a slow start for me and I found myself hating the characters ! I hung in there though - the writing style , while different from The Skin Of Water is still good . It began to pick up pace a third of the way in and then I was hooked . I had to see where it went and what happened to the characters I had come to dislike .
It the end I found it a thought provoking story - how does one hang onto a childhood friend that is totally less than honest ? How many times do you let their dysfunction cause you grief ? When is enough of their bullshit enough ?
December 12, 2012
This is the 2nd novel by this author and also the 2nd one I have read. I hope the writing continues because they were both very different books and very compelling, page turning novels. Martin and Sarah are friends since youth. They have a close relationship, you know the gay guy with the straight girl best friend. Thing is Sarah needs to get on with her life and let Martin go. However, had that happened this would have been a boring book. I felt sorry for them both. Both had fathers who died when they were young, both had traumatic experiences. One lives, one dies. Sad book, good book, happy ending, for one.
January 31, 2012
This book provides an interesting character study into a dysfunctional personality and its effects on a childhood friendship. Do you ever feel that somehow you and your childhood friends have grown apart but you still somehow feel the need to be connected? That's one of the many themes explored in this book. There's also a deeper message about trying to create identity through materialism or 'consumption'. That said, it's presented in an eminently readable narrative that keeps you going to the last page.
December 31, 2014
An intense dramatic story between life long friends really had me attached to the characters. Having read the authors two books back to back I can say that this one I enjoyed following along with the characters. There were moments that I connected with their emotions. At times I was surprised to see their actions or reactions to certain circumstances and the out come but such as in life we are subject to surprises.
March 15, 2012
I am so lucky to have found this book. I really don't know what to say other than you will have to read it to believe me.
September 4, 2015
I very much enjoyed this book. I particularly appreciated the detail in the Hong Kong sequences. GS Johnston is a fine writer and it's easy to be drawn in to world and lives he presents.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews