Customer Reviews

SOLE SURVIVOR: A Novel

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Give me Sci-Fi, Action Thrillers, Suspence, but please, no L-o-v-e stories. Well "Sole Survivor" might just change my attitude. Derek Hansen please keep writing. Mr. Hansen put together all the best quailties of my favorite authors: the ability to make reading effortless with a style that carries one along on a tidal current, creating characters who become real people, and weaving it all together into an unforgetable tale. It's the kind of artful story you'll want more of. The best non-science fiction book I've read in ages!

I was so attracted to the previews of this book, I mistakenly bought 2 of them. The plot, story line and book cover are all enticing. I was intrigued by the story focusing on people attempting to be self sufficient in a harsh yet sensitive environment. I could see where one depending on their surroundings for sustenance would be aggressively protective if that environment was being threatened.

I will be straight up; the author is not always sensitive when it comes to the way he handles his women. He is condescending and sexist, but, this is in character with an old navy officer. Is this appropriate? Who cares..it is a good story . Besides, one could argue that Rosie, the female member of the trio living on this barren habitat, is quite comfortable with her sexuality and is comfortable acting on her sexuality.

So, if you can spare yourself the temptation to force your sexual and sexist issues on this story, you will find yourself vastly entertained and in for a wonderful adventure. I loved the story and wish for a sequel.

In this book the reader is introduced to three characters, Bernie, the dying alcoholic, Red the War Veteran and Angus the Scottish writer. Upon Bernie's death his shack on Great Barrier Island is inherited by former Doctor Rosie Trethewey. Red and Angus are both deeply troubled by this sudden and unexpected invasion into their reclusive world.Rosie is determined to make a new life for herself on the island in spite of what Red or Angus do to discourage her. This book is a wondrous read about 3 loners who find out that they do need each other after all.Derek Hansen is a masterful storyteller and weaves his tale with a deft hand.

The book is really about three disfunctional loners that live in shacks on the remote northern tip of New Zealand's Great Barrier Island. Frist is Red who is still traumatized by his horrible wartime experiences as a P.O.W. at the hands of the Japanese. Second we have Angus who is a retired police officer. Both these men have very rigid and private lifestyles.

Now inject into this wilderness Rosie, who inherits her shack at the death of the third and only other resident. She moves into their world and turns it upside down. The book is about them working out their relationships. And how they deal with a big Japanese trawler that threatens to destroy the sea bed and their food supply.

This is one love story I did not mind reading. It is full of adventure and suspense. You can almost see the layout of cove which they have made their remote home.

Fantastic story where ALL characters were fleshed out and made real. Rosie was gorgeous, I loved her determination and spirit to make a go of it on in unhospitable territory.

Island paced, rather than slow paced, it gives me the need to save some money for a island holiday!

As much as I loved this story, Lunch with Mussolini, is still my absolute favourite Derek Hansen novel. But this novel is also a must read!! I particularly liked the character, Rosie Trethewey - a good, strong, kiwi woman - I thought the exchanges between her and Angus were hysterically funny. The characterisation of Red O'Hara was very well done as well. It was great the novel was set on Great Barrier Island because I have been over there a number of times and I am familar with all the islands that surround. It took me a little while at first to figure out that the novel is actually set in the 1960s not present day Auckland - I just about to write protest letters to the Gov't about the Japanese fishing vessels invading the Gulf and taking underweight snappers (a beautiful fish)!! I agree, wholeheartedly, that this novel would make a brillant film. I have just one question though - what happened to Archie - did he fall over everytime he needed a pee as Rosie feared he would??

I love to read customer reviews on books before I decide to read them - and after reading the reviews on this book I eagerly bought it. While I anticipated thoroughly enjoying this book I landed up becoming disappointed and almost angry that such a wonderful premise for a story turned "sour" and too unbelievable to keep me page-turning long into the night. Two lost souls happily content on a secluded island paradise involved in a struggle to protect their environment - joined to their dismay by a strong-willed woman determined to make her home there as their neighbor...this HAD to be a good story. And it was - except for her almost crude provocative behavior which for me ruined an otherwise wonderful story. A good love story angle was inevitable and welcome - but this was tastelessly and unbelieveably done in light of the fragile and tender, yet powerful, character traits of these men. They succumbed to her "charms" just a little too easy! I agree with their initial reaction - she did not belong on that island with them!

There is much to be enjoyed in this novel; an independant and fascinating female lead; two well-drawn emotionally damaged,yet endearing men; even a loyal Border Collie. But author Hansen seems to be writing with a bit too much of his own fantasy leading the way. No woman I know or have ever met would willingly bear the child of such a potentially fragile and volatile man as Red. Mickey Finn will be whistling Dixie for a long while waiting for young Gloria (is coffee making the criteria here?) and while we're at it - what happened to Archie the dog? A portrait of faithfulness and devotion is developed about this creature and in the last two chapters any concern of him is dismissed with a wave of the hand. Fun reading for awhile, but in the end it just dosen't ring true.

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was humorous, touching, and exciting. I found myself wanting to peek at the end because the suspense was so great...but resisted....didn't want to spoil it for myself. It was filled with historical interest, as well. Bought a copy for my older brother.

Another great read from Derek Hansen, this one set on the 1960's on Great Barrier Island, east of Auckland, New Zealand.

It's a story of a WWII Burma Railway survivor, an ex-Police inspector and a young woman who joins them on a remote area of the island. Thrown into the mix are a Japanese trawler captain, fishing illegally in NZ waters and Navy Lieutenant Commander trying to catch him.

Brilliantly written and hard to put down, I enjoyed this as much as Hansen's 'Lunch with the Generals' and 'Lunch with Mussolini'.