Bookwitch

This is the first Sonya Hartnett I’ve read. I asked her publisher where I ought to start, and was told Thursday’s Child. But since that wasn’t among the books they sent, I started with Surrender.

I can see why so many of you have praised Sonya’s books, and I can see why she was given the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Surrender is described as a psychological thriller, a dark and delicate suspense novel.

That about sums it up, I’d say. The story focuses on Gabriel, a twenty-year-old young man who is dying, and on his only friend Finnigan, and his dog Surrender.

Gabriel is an outsider, with seriously odd parents, and Finnigan is a wild boy who lives by his own rules. There are horrible accidents, small town prejudice, and then there’s Finnigan’s revenge on whoever he feels deserves it.

Creepy, but not scary, I’d say. I look forward to reading more of Sonya’s books.