Customer Reviews

Free

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Printed on the top left of the envelope was the number one. The letter inside said,

`Dear Sal, I will send just eight letters to you. By the eighth letter, you will either love me or I will have killed you.'

Whoosh! The new novel by Paul Vincent erupts onto the page with one of the catchiest opening paragraphs ever written. And once he has your attention, he never lets go. The story is engrossing, the characters ultra-real, and the final chapters will spin your head around. Even after having read the book twice, I still sit and ponder over the ending. This is a novel that will get you thinking, and it would be a great addition to any book club. I refuse to say anything about the plot, as I don't want to spoil one delicious moment of the book for you.

We've had our eye on Vincent since his first novel, Meet The Hormones. Free is his third, and his talent continues to grow. Each of his novels has its own distinct voice and style, and reading them is like watching Vincent flex his literary muscles as the critics sigh and swoon.

Highly recommended!

Review by Zanne Marie Gray of www.BookReview.com

This is a sensational book which I recommend without reservation. It is perfectly crafted, very exciting and above all, great literature.

As with other books from the 'LitPop' movement the aim is clear: to forge a contemporary tale that excels as a thriller, has literate sensibilities, but the accessibility that is needed to reach out to 'normal' readers who might not have a degree in English Lit or a lifetime of reading novels. The reason people are occasionally sniffy about the LitPop books is that they mistakenly imagine a 'good' book must be opaque and hard-going. If you have an interesting theme to explore, why not explore it clearly?

With Free we get a fascinating examination of how history effects us every day: our family history, our national and cultural history, the history of our closest relationship and our partner's previous relationships. Quite simply it is a joy! Even if you take the book on a superficial level it is a thrill-ride and a half.

I urge you to read it. This is where the future of good literature lies.

I could not get enough of this. It is very human and laid back and yet also a pure adrenalin rush, a combination you wouldn't think is possible. I could not recommend this any more highly.

It has the kind of pace you'd expect from James Patterson but is more literary. A mild mannered man starts receiving letters threatening his life and we, the reader, start to think in fact it's his wife who's sending them. The next thing we know, his life is turned upside down, and he's wanted for a murder and kidnap he didn't do. It would be hard to find a top quality book that is as gripping and funny as this. I loved it.

I would never go as far as comparing Free to any James Patterson! I experienced this book as a rather dull attempt at creating literature. For me, suspense never really built, character developement wasn't too impressive (especially Gabrielle, who I can't imagine anybody ever falling in love with her as she is portrayed)and the plot had attempts of twists and turns, but since the final culprit appeared in along the story, it was easy, really, to figure out what will happen then. I'll admit, Olaia's death came a bit as a surprise, especially since I hoped Sal would ditch that awful Gabrielle and run a way with Olaia :)
For me this book was a mediocre one. I've read better, but I've also read worse...