Customer Reviews

Losing Gemma

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There are so many reasons why I can recommend this book. For me personally, it struck a chord as I was a woman in my 20's in the 80's and I also did some traveling, albeit not to India.

The writing is especially descriptive of India--sights, sounds, smells--I can picture some of the places in my mind even never having set foot in India. The story is good, the pace is fast, and the characters likeable.

Having said that, what I most liked about this book was its search, the author's, the character's, and the reader's, for the truth. The truth about ourselves as we know it within our hearts and our spirits, and how we are often the roadblock standing between our own happiness and fulfillment as a person. Some may find it, some may keep searching for it and never find it, and some may never look; but when Esther lost Gemma, and herself, she also found herself. My words may be trite, but "Losing Gemma" is not. I found it to be a deeply moving and exciting book.

Twenty something Englishwomen Esther Waring and Gemma Harding have been friends for about two decades though they are quite the opposite in attitude. Esther is confident to the point of arrogance that she can do anything while Gemma is reticent to the point of insecurity believing that she can do nothing. Though Esther's haughtiness includes stealing the guy Gemma wants, to renew their sliding friendship the duo travels to India together on a backpacking trip.

Rather than the adventure they expected, the trip proves to be more of a series of bickering spats and complaints as Esther expects to gain her way ever time regardless of Gemma's desires while Gemma argues and whines, but acquiesces. Soon veteran backpacker Coral joins the duet. While Esther detests the know-it-all newcomer who steals her thunder, Gemma warms to her. The threesome trek through the jungle together until they reach a shrine where an ecstatic Coral begins a self-immolation journey that ends in Esther LOSING GEMMA.

Starting with the opening statement and the stark locale (no Taj Mahal), LOSING GEMMA grips the audience from beginning to end as readers observe the downside of friendship. The story line engages the audience and though the ending is anticipated, it takes little away from one of the year's strongest character studies that focuses clearly on all three female protagonists, but hones deep inside Esther and Gemma. Katy Gardner provides fans with a powerful relationship drama filled with real people that stress friends that care could lead to friends that betray.

Harriet Klausner

I never expected to enjoy this book as much as I did--from start to finish when Esther tells the story of how she lost her friend, Gemma in India. It is a gripping mystery, though the ending is not quite a surprise, it does not take away from the story, the characters, and the sharply written prose. Two girls go to India, meet up with a third, and one of the original two does not come back. With India as background, the anxiety of travel without tourism, the coming of age, the secrets, mystery, and guilt, this is a fabulous book. You can read this book in a day, simply because you will not want to put it down.

I picked up this book first seeing the title and thinking "Oh, another tear-jerker book about someone dying." But this was so much more. It doesnt really dtart as a story of loss, but as a story of two best friends, and how easy it is to go from friends to enemies and then maybe back again, and how close you can truly be to them. I dont want to give away any of the book, but it was really awesome and beautifully written

This story was a disappointment for me. Besides seeing the ending coming from a mile away--I mean, how many hints do we need??--the narrater has a tendency to say the same things a hundred different times. "I felt so guilty about Gemma," or "I was nervous about Gemma", and that kind of thing get repeated and repeated till you almost find yourself skimming. Her reemphasizing her emotions at every moment was a serious case of telling, not showing. In short, this book was no "The Beach". But I will say that it had a good premise, and the author never pretends to have any writing style. She is very matter of fact in her story telling skills, with little pretension. Still, I think I could have used a lot more complexity and mystery in the way this story was told. Bottom line: potentially excellent plot, poorly executed.

What I liked most of all about "Losing Gemma" was that it was not so much a mystery novel about the incomprehensible and tragic death of Gemma Harding (though this was a prominent motif), as it was an incisive and telling look at friendship. Esther (the narrator) and Gemma have been best friends and confidants since primary school. And, in Esther's mind anyway, their friendship, characters, the roles each play -- Esther, the beautiful and clever one, and Gemma, the awkward, naive one that needs looking after and guidance -- seems set in stone. So that when Esther and Gemma set off for their holiday trip to India, Esther little expects the experience to have such a telling impact on their lives (her's especially). We're allowed to know from the very first page some of what happens: somehow, tragically Gemma dies during their holiday, and Esther carries with her the guilt that she had somehow allowed this to happen by not taking proper care of Gemma. The entire tragedy colours Esther's life completely, and she is never really able to let go of her guilt. So much so that years later, Esther again makes the trip to India to find the answers she is looking for: why Gemma died, and if indeed she (Esther) played a crucial role in Gemma's death.

"Losing Gemma" is a truly rich and engrossing read. As I noted it is not so much a mystery novel, as it is a book about friendship. And Katy Gardner's light handed and accessible prose style makes this novel easy reading as well. I almost finished the book in one go, and really begrudged the hours I had to spend doing other things instead of finishing this intriguing novel. This is a book that makes you think. From the very beginning, Gardner sets us up to accept certain 'truths' about Esther and Gemma's characters. She then quietly and subtly deconstructs all our preconceptions by interspersing Esther's narrative here and there with Gemma's own thoughts and feelings. This allows us to see that while Esther is almost an omniscient narrator, she is not all knowing. And she certainly was not at all privy to Gemma's inner most thoughts and desires. This juxtaposition of what Esther perceives is occurring and what Gemma believes is going on adds texture and depth to the novel. And the backdrop to all this, India, with all it's exotic and alien othernes that Esther believes she has a handle on, but who actually hasn't, added nuances to the mystery of what happens to both Esther and Gemma, and the events that lead up to Gemma's death. (Another thing I rather liked was the manner in which Gardner ended the novel. Without giving anything away, I'll only say that I think that the manner in which things were left added a certain reality to the novel.)

"Losing Gemma" is a 'gem' of a novel. It is also a novel that will make you wonder about the close friendships in your own life as well -- if you have an inkling as to what you friends really think and feel about you. So, sit back and be prepared to read a truly enthralling novel.

I agree with everyone else - the book was interesting. I couldn't put it down and couldn't wait to find out what happened to Gemma. But in the end, I felt a little cheated. Somehow, the ending just didn't seem realistic, but that's just my review...

Two best friends in their early 20's set out to backpack through India. Never in their plans did they expect what hideous, frightening, eerie events lay before them. Innocent, yet not, they meet a mysterious lady who aids their fall into the abyss of drugs, mysticism, and murder. It is an edge of your seat read that keeps you guessing until the last page is turned.

Ms. Gardner is a first time writer, and I was very impressed with the skill of her prose. Her descriptions were vivid, her dialogue crisp, and her style inventive and bright. A book to definitely own as you will want to share it with all your bibliophile friends. WONDERFUL, THRILLING READ and a GRAND FIRST EFFORT!!!!

This is the most interesting, and gripping book I have read in a long time. I could not put the book down, and finished it in about 4 hours. I have recommended this book to nearly everyone I know and everyone enjoys it as well. Have a great time reading this interesting and powerful novel!!

This had an excellent, gripping start. Others have pointed out how tense and absorbing the first half of the novel is. Unfortunately, it hits a lot of bumpy patches and never quite pulls itself together. Too many conincidences occur, and the story never resolves, just sort of disappears.