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Surrender
For centuries, the Camino de Santiago has offered pilgrims a spiritual journey, an adventure and a sought after freedom from the penance due for sins. This is how Anderson, a young man involved with the death of a little girl, finds himself on a journey across France and Spain, in search of punishment, forgiveness or just some way to make sense of it all.
236 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2014
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About the author
Vincent Yanez
39 books4 followersVincent Yanez was born in a small mining town in the Arizona desert. He has won no great literary awards or recognition, but waits for the frenzy of adoration to begin at any moment. Mr. Yanez enjoys the smell of rain, long walks on the beach and the crunch of a warm, crispy tater tot.
His webpage is www.TheMessyGlory.com and his Facebook page is Author Vincent Yanez.
Stop by and say hello!
His webpage is www.TheMessyGlory.com and his Facebook page is Author Vincent Yanez.
Stop by and say hello!
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 3, 2014
Note that this review was of an early version of the book.
Yanez tells his story in a very matter-of-fact way, leaving little room for describing his characters' physical environment. As a result, the story feels a bit staccato and, through that, like a parable, almost biblical, perhaps. Or like a self-help book disguised as a novel.
If the latter, it's not immediately clear what the book's message is. Catholicism is good for you? Buddhism is the way to go? Or is it simply that man needs spirituality, as we learn that we are all simply looking to surrender to something greater than ourselves?
The story is straightforward, linear, and an easy read. But also captivating; I read the book in one sitting. And though the early draft I read could benefit from a bit of polishing here and there, it's surprisingly easy to relate to the struggling protagonist going through a bout of self discovery.
Perhaps this is simply because, at one point or another, we all find us in a similar position to Anderson, wondering how we got where we are, feeling the need to understand why, without necessarily finding the answers.
The book contains two major revelations. The first is fairly predictable, though this might be obfuscated more in the final version, whereas the second comes as quite an emotional surprise.
The second revelation suggests the book might not have a hidden message after all, which, if true, feels like a lost opportunity; Ending in an excellent overture, but perhaps also not fully cashing in on the story's potential.
Either way, Surrender is a rewarding read. Fully recommended.
Yanez tells his story in a very matter-of-fact way, leaving little room for describing his characters' physical environment. As a result, the story feels a bit staccato and, through that, like a parable, almost biblical, perhaps. Or like a self-help book disguised as a novel.
If the latter, it's not immediately clear what the book's message is. Catholicism is good for you? Buddhism is the way to go? Or is it simply that man needs spirituality, as we learn that we are all simply looking to surrender to something greater than ourselves?
The story is straightforward, linear, and an easy read. But also captivating; I read the book in one sitting. And though the early draft I read could benefit from a bit of polishing here and there, it's surprisingly easy to relate to the struggling protagonist going through a bout of self discovery.
Perhaps this is simply because, at one point or another, we all find us in a similar position to Anderson, wondering how we got where we are, feeling the need to understand why, without necessarily finding the answers.
The book contains two major revelations. The first is fairly predictable, though this might be obfuscated more in the final version, whereas the second comes as quite an emotional surprise.
The second revelation suggests the book might not have a hidden message after all, which, if true, feels like a lost opportunity; Ending in an excellent overture, but perhaps also not fully cashing in on the story's potential.
Either way, Surrender is a rewarding read. Fully recommended.
Displaying 1 of 1 review