Revolver (novel)
| Author | Marcus Sedgwick |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Peter Berkrot |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Orion Books |
Publication date | July 16, 2009 |
| ISBN | 978-1-842-55186-8 |
Revolver is a 2009 young adult novel by Marcus Sedgwick. It was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal [1] and Booktrust Teenage Prize,[2] among other honours.
Plot
[edit ]Revolver addresses a dilemma faced by Sig Andersson, a 15-year-old boy, as well as the circumstances that led to that dilemma.
The story opens in 1910 as Sig sits alone in a cabin near the Arctic Circle on the borders of Finland and Sweden. His father's body is lying on the table, and his sister have left to seek help; his mother was killed years earlier. As Sig awaits their return, a large man, Gunther Wolff, knocks on the door and asks for Sig's father. Soon, Wolff demands he be provided with the gold he's convinced Sig's father has stolen, and Sig fears for his life, especially since the stranger has a gun. Sig remembers his father's revolver, a prized possession he stored away. However, the boy has only shot the revolver a few times, several years ago on his birthday. Even after his sister returns, he struggles with what he should do: use the weapon against Wolff, even though Wolff is likely more skilled with his gun, or risk what Wolff may do next.
The novel alternates between snapshots of the father's story eleven years prior, providing backstory for Sig's present dilemma. In 1899, Wolff was a gold prospector where Sig's father, Einar, was working in Nome, Alaska. Believing Einar is running a scam, Wolff demanded half of Einar's proceeds. In hopes of protecting his family, Einar attempted to escape, though his wife was murdered, and presumably raped, in the process.
Reception
[edit ]Revolver was well received by critics, including starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews [3] and Publishers Weekly .[4]
Kirkus referred to the novel as "a chilling, atmospheric story that will haunt readers with its descriptions of a desolate terrain and Sig’s difficult decisions."
Publishers Weekly called Revolver a "intense survival story ... propelled by a relentless sense of danger and bone-chilling cold." Their review highlighted how Sedgwick "gracefully weav[es] in sources as diverse as the Old Testament story of Job and an 1896 ad for the revolver," noting that these references, as well as the author's skill at plot development, "lures ... readers into deeper thinking."[4]
Mary Hoffman, writing for The Guardian , noted that while "Revolver is a very short book, ... it's not slight: the issue of whether violence is ever unavoidable is both topical and difficult, and this deceptively simple story raises enormous questions."[5]
The audiobook received a starred review from School Library Journal , who said the narrator, Peter Berkrot, "chillingly and expertly brings to life Marcus Sedgwick's short, yet intense mystery."[6] They highlighted how Berkot's "pitch-perfect voicing, suspenseful and satisfying pacing, and spot-on character portrayals draw listeners."[6]
Awards and honours
[edit ]Revolver is a Junior Library Guild book.[7] The Horn Book Magazine ,[8] Kirkus Reviews , and Publishers Weekly named it one of the best children's books of 2010; Bank Street College of Education named it one of the best children's books of 2011.[9]
| Year | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Guardian Children's Fiction Prize | Longlisted | [5] [10] |
| 2010 | Booktrust Teenage Prize | Shortlisted | [11] [2] |
| 2010 | Carnegie Medal | Shortlisted | [1] |
| 2011 | ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults | Top 10 | [12] |
| 2011 | Michael L. Printz Award | Shortlisted | [13] |
References
[edit ]- ^ a b "Gallery: Carnegie medal 2010 shortlist". the Guardian . 2010年04月23日. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 2023年06月06日.
- ^ a b Pauli, Michelle (2010年09月07日). "Booktrust teenage prize shortlist spans time, space and genre". The Guardian . ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2015年12月23日. Retrieved 2023年06月01日.
- ^ "Revolver". Kirkus Reviews . 2010年03月15日. Archived from the original on 2022年11月20日. Retrieved 2023年06月06日.
- ^ a b "Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick". Publishers Weekly . 2010年03月15日. Archived from the original on 2023年02月02日. Retrieved 2023年06月06日.
- ^ a b Hoffman, Mary (2009年09月04日). "Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick". The Guardian . ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2022年12月21日. Retrieved 2023年06月06日.
- ^ a b Squicciarini, Stephanie A. "Revolver". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2023年06月06日.
- ^ "Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick". Junior Library Guild . Retrieved 2023年06月06日.
- ^ "Horn Book Fanfare 1938 to present". The Horn Book . 2012年12月05日. Archived from the original on 2023年03月20日. Retrieved 2023年06月06日.
- ^ "Twelve to Fourteen" (PDF). Bank Street College of Education . Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021年08月13日. Retrieved 2023年06月04日.
- ^ "Obituary Note: Marcus Sedgwick". Shelf Awareness . 2022年11月18日. Archived from the original on 2022年12月02日. Retrieved 2023年06月02日.
- ^ "Awards: Booktrust Teenage Prize". Shelf Awareness . 2010年11月04日. Archived from the original on 2022年05月21日. Retrieved 2023年06月01日.
- ^ Kuenn, Stephanie (2011年01月13日). "YALSA names 2011 Best Fiction for Young Adults". American Library Association . Archived from the original on 2020年06月19日. Retrieved 2023年06月06日.
- ^ Communications and Marketing Office (2011年01月10日). "'Ship Breaker' wins 2011 Printz Award". American Library Association . Archived from the original on 2020年06月24日. Retrieved 2023年06月06日.