When I saw journalist Olivia Petter's debut novel, Gold Rush, described as a nuanced and feminist pre-MeToo exploration of alcohol-induced blackouts, sexual consent, and celebrity culture, I knew I had to pick up a copy. However, I didn't find it as nuanced or as feminist as I expected.
It's feminist insofar as it deals with issues of sexual consent, but I wouldn't say there is much feminist analysis within the novel. There is nuance in how Rose behaves following her sexual assault as she grapples with her fragmented memories of that night. Yet, for me, there was an opportunity to bring nuance to the discussion around alcohol-induced blackouts, agency, and sexual consent that I found lacking.
Perhaps the early blurbs I read set my expectations too high, and I should have read some reviews beforehand. Maybe my own experiences of alcohol-induced blackouts changed how I viewed the story Petter tells. What I am saying is that my review might not be the most accurate depiction of the novel itself, but then, I don't feel like the blurbs I read were entirely accurate either. So, who knows!
Rose works in PR for Firehouse, a glossy magazine publisher. Firehouse still throws lavish parties to launch a new issue. Most of the time, Rose is following up on emails to publicists or filling in spreadsheets. Dealing with the A-list celebrities is usually the job of Rose's colleague. Except on one occasion, when Rose is tasked with ensuring Milo Jax, the world's most famous and beloved pop star, attends Firehouse's latest event. Rose is wooed or intimidated by Milo's fame, which he finds endearing. They strike up a friendship/relationship of sorts until Rose wakes up naked one morning with blood on her bedclothes and no memory of what happened with Milo the night before.
I switched between reading a physical copy and listening to it on audio. Frankly, the middle section dragged on too much for my liking, and switching between formats kept me engaged more than simply reading it would have.
Overall, I liked the premise of Gold Rush much more than I enjoyed Petter's execution of it.
Gold Rush by Olivia Petter is published by 4th Estate, an imprint of HarperCollins
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