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djb21au's review
4.0
Sometimes it is hard to know where the line lies between so-called 'teenage fiction' and adult fiction. This book certainly straddles that line, wherever it is - even if the libraries have it pegged as the former.
Hartnett's writing has a lightness of touch which never tires. While her plots (in the books I've read) amble rather than race, the beauty of the writing keeps me turning the pages.
In this book she retains her characteristic lyricism whilst dealing with a very dark plot. As in [b:Of a Boy|6115866|Of a Boy (Library Edition)|Sonya Hartnett|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1233536770s/6115866.jpg|2235511] we have a troubled teenage protagonist (or is it two?) who is finely, if uncomfortingly, crafted. And also, as in that book, a sense of dread persists almost from cover to cover. Surrender is, however, a much more sinister story than Of a Boy.
Like others, I'm not entirely sure what was happening towards the end of this book, nor what it's deeper themes were. I do have my suspicions, however, which is probably all we need. I certainly have taken in some very powerful images which I'm sure will stay with me.
Hartnett's writing has a lightness of touch which never tires. While her plots (in the books I've read) amble rather than race, the beauty of the writing keeps me turning the pages.
In this book she retains her characteristic lyricism whilst dealing with a very dark plot. As in [b:Of a Boy|6115866|Of a Boy (Library Edition)|Sonya Hartnett|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1233536770s/6115866.jpg|2235511] we have a troubled teenage protagonist (or is it two?) who is finely, if uncomfortingly, crafted. And also, as in that book, a sense of dread persists almost from cover to cover. Surrender is, however, a much more sinister story than Of a Boy.
Like others, I'm not entirely sure what was happening towards the end of this book, nor what it's deeper themes were. I do have my suspicions, however, which is probably all we need. I certainly have taken in some very powerful images which I'm sure will stay with me.
themaxdog's review
5.0
Full review now available on the blog: http://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk/2017/07/book-review-surrender-by-sonya-hartnett.html
laurenwedge's review
3.0
This book is.... Interesting. It was very confusing the first time I read it. The time periods were all over the place, I had no idea when flashbacks started or ended, and so on. However, after reading the summary (I picked this book up without reading the summary because I thought the cover was cool) and rereading the book, I was able to understand it more. Surrender is a good book, but not my favourite.
adelslibrary's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
just_a_touch_of_bibliomania's review
4.0
I picked this book up on a whim at a Goodwill without knowing what it was about and today I found out.
This book..is so much hopelessness and despair and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Wicker King by K. Ancrum....it had twists I didn't expect and thst ultimately made this story harder but the end so good. I couldn't put it down and am so pleased I finally read it.
This book..is so much hopelessness and despair and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Wicker King by K. Ancrum....it had twists I didn't expect and thst ultimately made this story harder but the end so good. I couldn't put it down and am so pleased I finally read it.
theawkwardbookw's review
3.0
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q/videos
Anwell is shunned from his small town in Mulyan after a tragic event concerning his older disabled brother, Vernon. Now his family is deemed a bunch of kooks and Anwell creates an alter ego named Gabriel. Gabriel is dying. He is now recalling 20 years of his life with his friend Finnigan and dog, Surrender. Gabriel knows now that Finnigan is bad, he must get rid of him before it is too late and he hurts more people.
I really enjoyed the alternating perspectives between Finnigan and Gabriel and thought that was a great addition to the story. Honestly... half the time I had no idea what was even going on... but it worked. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time trying to figure out what was going to happen next. The book covers a lot of dark themes, the main three being the difference between good and evil, mental illness as well as guilt. The book is incredibly written and beautiful but has some difficult scenes to read. There was so much symbolism and metaphors through out the book which made it very thought provoking and more intense while reading. The ending is definitely very vague and allows the reader to interpret it how they feel fit. Overall, I enjoyed it but definitely a hard read.
Anwell is shunned from his small town in Mulyan after a tragic event concerning his older disabled brother, Vernon. Now his family is deemed a bunch of kooks and Anwell creates an alter ego named Gabriel. Gabriel is dying. He is now recalling 20 years of his life with his friend Finnigan and dog, Surrender. Gabriel knows now that Finnigan is bad, he must get rid of him before it is too late and he hurts more people.
I really enjoyed the alternating perspectives between Finnigan and Gabriel and thought that was a great addition to the story. Honestly... half the time I had no idea what was even going on... but it worked. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time trying to figure out what was going to happen next. The book covers a lot of dark themes, the main three being the difference between good and evil, mental illness as well as guilt. The book is incredibly written and beautiful but has some difficult scenes to read. There was so much symbolism and metaphors through out the book which made it very thought provoking and more intense while reading. The ending is definitely very vague and allows the reader to interpret it how they feel fit. Overall, I enjoyed it but definitely a hard read.
introworded's review
5.0
holy shit?
** edit: This is one of the best books I have ever read. I just read it for the second time and liked it even better than the first. I can’t say much about the plot or what it is exactly that I like about it without giving away what makes this book so amazing. But… What happens when the lines between sanity and insanity get blurred? What happens to identity? Who is the real evil? What is madness?
The last few chapters of this book were one of the biggest “WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!!" *screaming* *panicking* moments I have ever experienced in literature. Can’t wait to finally discuss it in class next week. READ THIS BOOK.
** edit: This is one of the best books I have ever read. I just read it for the second time and liked it even better than the first. I can’t say much about the plot or what it is exactly that I like about it without giving away what makes this book so amazing. But… What happens when the lines between sanity and insanity get blurred? What happens to identity? Who is the real evil? What is madness?
The last few chapters of this book were one of the biggest “WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!!" *screaming* *panicking* moments I have ever experienced in literature. Can’t wait to finally discuss it in class next week. READ THIS BOOK.
morganlouise's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
njlbo1's review
3.0
If you like psychological stories that really make you think, check out this book. But if you want a happy ending, this book is not for you.
lizlikesreading's review
2.0
Okay, so the writing style of this book is beautiful, the characters are haunting and memorable, but the plot falls apart. The narrator, Gabriel, is painstakingly dying as he recalls his life and tries to make peace with himself before he finally passes fully away.
Filled with strong motifs and themes regarding responsibility and good versus evil, I really wanted this book to succeed. However, the last thirty or so pages were such a let down that I had to just give it two stars.
Filled with strong motifs and themes regarding responsibility and good versus evil, I really wanted this book to succeed. However, the last thirty or so pages were such a let down that I had to just give it two stars.