Title: Surrender
Author: Sonya Hartnett
First published January 1, 2005
248 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780763634230 (ISBN10: 0763634239)
Rating: 3.64
Overview
In Surrender, Sonya Hartnett presents a poignant and heart-wrenching tale of Gabriel, who, on the cusp of death, looks back at his life. From a young age, Gabriel has been haunted by a grave mistake he made, which has left him frustrated and humiliated.
In a town that is unforgiving and with distant parents, Gabriel has only two companions – his dog, Surrender, and the wild boy, Finnigan, with whom he made a childhood pact. But as Gabriel grows older, he realizes that Finnigan may not be the friend he thought he was.
When a series of arson attacks threatens to destroy the town, Gabriel discovers just how unpredictable and dangerous Finnigan can be. Surrender is a gripping tale of friendship, loyalty, and the extremes we go to rid ourselves of our demons.
About the Author
Sonya Hartnett is an Australian author who gained recognition as a child prodigy in the literary world. At the tender age of 13, she wrote her first novel, which was published when she was 15.
Her books have been published in Europe and North America, and although they are classified as young adult fiction, they appeal to readers of all ages.
In her critically acclaimed novel, THURSDAY’S CHILD, Hartnett chose to narrate the story through a child’s perspective because people are naturally drawn to children. The young narrator, Harper, is the reason readers become invested in the characters.
Hartnett admits to feeling protective of Harper, despite her usual preference for distancing herself from her characters. She wrote THURSDAY’S CHILD, a coming-of-age story set during the Great Depression, in just three months.
The story was inspired by her desire to write about an isolated community that was supportive during difficult times. Once the ideas of a boy who tunneled and a young girl as narrator came together, the story flowed effortlessly.
In her second book with Candlewick Press, WHAT THE BIRDS SEE, Hartnett once again portrays childhood, this time through the eyes of Adrian, a nine-year-old boy living in the suburbs. Adrian’s childhood is shaped by fear, including his fear of quicksand, shopping centers, and self-combustion.
When three neighborhood children vanish, based on a real case in Australia in the 1960s, Adrian realizes how tenuous his safety net is. Hartnett reveals that Adrian is based on herself in many respects, and many of the things that happen to him also happened to her.
Hartnett’s inspired writing has earned her a devoted following. THURSDAY’S CHILD and WHAT THE BIRDS SEE have both received critical acclaim from publications such as PUBLISHERS WEEKLY and Newbery Honor-winning author Carolyn Coman.
Hartnett’s third young adult novel, STRIPES OF THE SIDESTEP WOLF, was named an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults. Hartnett resides near Melbourne, Australia, and her most recent novels are SURRENDER, a psychological thriller, and THE SILVER DONKEY, a fable for middle-grade readers.
Editoral Review
Surrender by Sonya Hartnett is a haunting and evocative novel that explores the psychological and emotional toll of war on a family in 1945 suburban Australia. Hartnett, an award-winning Australian author, is recognized for her powerful and poignant storytelling, and Surrender is no exception.
Set in the aftermath of World War II, the novel follows the lives of the widowed McAllister family as they struggle to deal with the loss of their father, John, and the impact of war on their lives. The story is told from the perspective of the two McAllister children, 10-year-old Michael and his older sister, 14-year-old Louise, as they navigate their way through grief and the challenges of growing up.
Hartnett’s writing style is lyrical and poetic, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to the McAllister’s suburban world. She expertly captures the sense of isolation and detachment that the family members feel from each other and their community, and the tension that arises from their unspoken grief and trauma.
At its core, Surrender is a novel about the complexities of human relationships and the struggle to find meaning in a world that can be cruel and unpredictable. The McAllister family is haunted by the ghosts of their past, and the novel explores the themes of loss, abandonment, and the search for identity.
Hartnett’s character development is exceptional, and she creates fully-realized and nuanced characters that are both flawed and sympathetic. Michael, in particular, is a remarkable character, as he grapples with his own sense of guilt and responsibility for his father’s death.
While Surrender is a work of historical fiction, it has a timeless quality that makes it relevant to contemporary readers. The novel speaks to the universal human experience of loss and the search for meaning, and it offers a powerful commentary on the devastating impact of war on families and communities.
While some readers may find the pacing of the novel slow at times, the emotional depth and complexity of the characters more than make up for it. Hartnett’s writing is a masterclass in subtlety and nuance, and she leaves much to the reader’s imagination, which only adds to the power of the novel.
Overall, Surrender is a stunning and moving work of literature that is not to be missed. It is a beautifully written and deeply affecting novel that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.
Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and coming-of-age stories.
Rating: 4.5/5
