The spectacular new novel by the bestselling and critically
acclaimed author of the reader and bookseller favourite,
Little Bee.
In the tradition of his beloved previous novel, Little
Bee, Chris Cleave again gives us an elegant, funny,
passionate story about friendship, marriage, parenthood, tragedy,
and redemption. This time, the setting is the upcoming London
Olympics. Gold is the story of two women,
Zoe and Kate, world-class cyclists who have been friends and rivals
since their first day of elite training years ago. They have loved,
fought, betrayed, forgiven, lost, consoled, triumphed, and grown up
together. Now, on the eve of London 2012, their last Olympics, the
two must compete for the one remaining spot on their team. In doing
so, the women will be tested to their physical, mental and
emotional limits. They will confront each other and their own
mortality, and be asked to decide: What will you sacrifice for the
people you love?
1. The concept of chasing for the gold is a running theme
throughout the book. Beyond the actual gold medals at the Olympics,
in what ways do characters search for their 'gold'? In what ways do
they achieve their 'gold'?
2. Zoe's competitiveness was one of the constants throughout the
book. Why do you think she stopped and waited for Kate to finish
the race properly? Is this an indication of a greater change in
Zoe's character? What sort of change? Would Kate have done the same
thing if the situation had been reversed?
3. The relationship between Jack and Zoe is complicated. Examine
in what ways the book remains ambiguous about their true feelings
towards each other. Could they still harbor some emotion for each
other?
4. What about Tom's experience as a father? Why did his son
react so violently to his father's coaching? Is he seeking
redemption through his treatment of his athletes, Zoe in
particular? Does he succeed in redeeming himself?
5. Although it is not a major focus for most of the novel, the
reader is given hints as to what Jack, Kate, and Zoe's upbringings
were like. What were their childhoods were like? Which character
was probably happiest and why? Which character holds the most
resentment? How is their upbringing reflected in their attitudes
towards competition?
6. In the flashback to Kate's childhood, we see things go wrong
between her mother and father. Why do you think this happened? What
do you think about the way her mother was treating her? What about
her father? Was he trying to protect her from something?
7. Kate and Zoe's complicated relationship creates the main
focus of the book. Through flashbacks and the characters' musings,
we explore their relationship. In what ways is their relationship
tested? In what ways is it made stronger? Is their relationship
believable? Why have they remained friends throughout the years? Is
it because, in Zoe's case, she has no one else?
8. At the end of the novel, Sophie's health takes a turn for the
worse and both Jack and the coach fellow decide not to tell Kate
just before her race. Was this the best action for them to take?
Was it in Kate's best interest? Was it in Sophie's?
9. Sophie finds escapism from her situation through Star Wars.
Consider ways the other characters find their escapes. What are
they trying to get away from? Is it healthy?
10. At the end of the novel, Zoe sees Sophie in a weakened state
at the hospital and finally confronts the memory of her dead
brother. What exactly about the situation with Zoe brings on the
memory of her brother? Why does Zoe decide not to tell Sophie the
truth about her real mother right then and there?
11. The theme of loss recurs throughout the book. Interestingly,
the characters that experience loss are not always worse off for
it. In what ways do characters experience loss? Do they
suffer for the loss or do they gain something in exchange?
What sort of things do they gain?
