janebranson's review
5.0
This is a great read, and I've realised I need to put all Mal Peet's novels on my to-read list. It's a loose retelling of Othello, updated with the hero recast as an iconic footballer (Otello's number is Beckham's 23) and his wife the pop-star daughter of a South American politician with her own cult-celeb status. Like Shakespeare, Peet explores some absorbing and philosophical themes - obsession, love, fame, family, jealousy- but he's also developing his sports journalist character Paul Faustino, for whom this is a third outing in a series of football themed books. I'm no sports fan, but the tight and pacy writing, as well as the Shakespeare links, had me completely hooked. There is a tense subplot, involving the fate of three street kids, that throws the corrupt state, the pointless media (El Sol, anyone?) and the decadence of the main characters into sharp relief. It's true that the motivations of Diego, Otello's agent, remain unclear, but then Iago's evil is pretty pure in form too. All this, and Peet writes the kind of prose that makes you forget you are reading.
bookswitheleni's review
3.0
2.5
I read this book for school.
Therefore, my opinion of this book is slightly tainted as I didn’t want to read it.
The connection to Othello was done fairly well, but it was a bit over dramatic, rushed and unrealistic. The characters were not developed and the ending was abrupt and poorly planned.
Some parts were fast paced and entertaining, but overall this was a very average book and a less than enjoyable read...
I read this book for school.
Therefore, my opinion of this book is slightly tainted as I didn’t want to read it.
The connection to Othello was done fairly well, but it was a bit over dramatic, rushed and unrealistic. The characters were not developed and the ending was abrupt and poorly planned.
Some parts were fast paced and entertaining, but overall this was a very average book and a less than enjoyable read...
tharina's review
3.0
So this is Othello as a famous South American soccer player. I would probably have enjoyed Exposure more if I had more than a passing acquaintance with the source material; it felt like there were a few inside jokes that flew right over. It is interesting to see what Mal Peet does with the original, the writing is solid and the characters are satisfyingly human.
clairehargreaves01's review
5.0
A wonderfully well-written story of celebrity, love and compassion, Exposure is based in part on Othello. I find Mal Peet's characters completely fascinating and enticing and his written style is effortless and captivating.
missusb21's review against another edition
This retelling of 'Othello' has much to recommend it. The author recreates the jealousy, the greed and the racial issue with much dignity and realism. But he goes that one step further. Ulitmately what we have here with 'Exposure' is a portrayal of modern, contemporary life that is both stark and sharp. What a book!
leia_lynn's review against another edition
As far as I can tell, a masterful retelling of Shakespeare's Othello, and an exploration of how media attention and fame can wreak havoc in one's life.
bookswitheleni's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
I read this book for school.
Therefore, my opinion of this book is slightly tainted as I didn’t want to read it.
The connection to Othello was done fairly well, but it was a bit over dramatic, rushed and unrealistic. The characters were not developed and the ending was abrupt and poorly planned.
Some parts were fast paced and entertaining, but overall this was a very average book and a less than enjoyable read...
I read this book for school.
Therefore, my opinion of this book is slightly tainted as I didn’t want to read it.
The connection to Othello was done fairly well, but it was a bit over dramatic, rushed and unrealistic. The characters were not developed and the ending was abrupt and poorly planned.
Some parts were fast paced and entertaining, but overall this was a very average book and a less than enjoyable read...