Surrender

Book review by Matt Berman, Common Sense Media
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Common Sense says

age 16+

Lyrical, award-winning thriller is complex; read with teens.

Sonya Hartnett Contemporary Fiction 2006
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 3 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that one of the protagonists in this award-winning read is apparently dying of a gruesome degenerative disease, and as a child accidentally killed his disabled older brother -- and may have killed his parents as well. The other protagonist is an arsonist. There is some smoking and drinking. The language and ideas are compelling -- but tricky for younger teens. Parents may want to read with their kids and discuss the book together.

Community Reviews

surrender_fan1
surrender_fan1 Adult
June 30, 2010
age 13+

Amazing Book

I loved this book and i feel that it teaches teenagers many importaint life lessons on love friendship and death.Although partially gruesome, i believe that teens will cherish this book for years to come,as did my 13 year old son.Thank you Sonya Hartnett for writing this masterpiece.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In alternating chapters, as Anwell/Gabriel is dying, he and Finnigan tell their story. Anwell lives a restricted life with his frigid mother and controlling father. Even at a young age he harbors dark secrets: he accidentally killed his disabled older brother, possibly with his mother's complicity. When he meets a wild boy, Finnigan, who seems to live in the forest, he is enthralled. Finnigan seems to know all the secrets of their small town, including Anwell's, and they make a pact -- they will be mirror images of each other. Anwell will always be good, while Finnigan will be bad. Since Anwell will be an angel, Finnigan calls him Gabriel. Soon a series of arsons begins tearing the town apart, and only Gabriel knows who the arsonist is. Finnigan is fulfilling his part of the bargain, and the victims are those whom Gabriel doesn't like. His father leads a group of vigilantes to try to stop the arsonist, not knowing that his son is involved. But as they grow up, Gabriel, though fearful, begins to chafe under Finnigan's control, as well as his parents'.

Is It Any Good?

This lyrical novel, a psychological thriller told in gorgeous prose poetry, has an ending worthy of M. Night Shyamalan, though considerably more confusing. That ending will have readers paging back through this bizarre story to try to figure out what was real, and what wasn't. And even then they won't find all the answers.

Tolerance for ambiguity, then, is one of the prerequisites for enjoying this book. The author has said she doesn't really write for children. There's not much that would be considered objectionable for teens, but it won't be to all of their tastes. At the same time, many adults will enjoy SURRENDER, and shouldn't miss it because it's being sold in the children's section -- with shimmering prose, a uniquely strange plot, and that surprising, confusing ending, this will be a joy to some and frustrating to others.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the audience for this book. The author has said she doesn't really write for children -- who do you think this book is for? Why do you think it was published as Young Adult rather than for adults?

  • This book won a Printz honor book from the American Library Association. Why do you think it was singled out for an award? Does it make a difference to you?

Book Details

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