Derek Hansen

Set in the Auckland suburbs of Grey Lynn and Ponsonby in 1956, a 12-year-old boy becomes privy to a World War II secret. A prolific and talented essay writer, he writes (and embellishes) the story of an encounter with a U-Boat off the coast of New Zealand, a secret that has driven a man consumed with guilt, to drink. The essay sets off a chain of events that see the German U-Boat captain arrive in New Zealand and the community, still suffering the after effects of the war, torn apart. Author Derek Hansen was born in England, raised in 1950s New Zealand and now lives in Australia. His childhood memories in Auckland have been drawn on extensively, which lends the novel authenticity that could otherwise be lacking. As well as a social history, the story explores the post-war era in both Germany and New Zealand and the adventuresome spirit of the post-war generation. A great yarn!… (altro)

Opening Sentence: “…Red O’Hara woke at first light convinced that he should be dead and ashamed that he wasn’t …”

SOLE SURVIVOR is set in New Zealand in the 1960s on GreatBarrierIsland, 90 km north east of Auckland. Red O’Hara lives in a shack located at WreckBay, an isolated part of the island. A former World War II POW and Burma Railway survivor, he still carries his guilt for being alive and is haunted by nightmares 20 years after the end of the war. The only way he can keep the memories from winning control of his mind is by avoiding people and carrying out a fixed routine of work and exercise. He has two neighbours, the crusty Scotsman, Angus McCleod, a retired police inspector and Bernie, a dying alcoholic. For the three men life is rigid, isolated, simple, and predictable, each of them staying out of the way of the others.

Bernie dies and leaves his shack to Rosie Tretheway. Like Red and Angus, Rosie hates the world. She is a qualified doctor and psychologist but, disillusioned, gave her practise up to do market surveying. She loathes her former spouse, her progression of selfish lovers, and now her job. When she finds out about her inheritance Rosie simply packs her belongings and moves. Red and Angus are both horrified by this unexpected invasion into their secluded world and vow to make her life hell so she will go and leave them in peace. Rosie is determined to make a new life for herself on the island in spite of what Red or Angus do to discourage her. Despite their differences the trio are forced to become allies when a Japanese trawler captain begin to illegally fish nearby, threatening both the squabbling threesome, the livelihood of all the Great Barrier inhabitants and the delicate ecology of the island. Red, Angus, and Rosie must overcome their personal problems in order to present a united front against the illegal fishermen.

SOLE SURVIVOR was a really, really good story and was unputdownable. It was one of those rare books where all the characters were fleshed out and felt real, even the supporting cast. Rosie was a wonderful character, a gutsy woman with the determination and spirit to make a go of it despite her reception. Yes there is a love element, but it is not intrusive and very well handled. Mostly it has a multilayered plot that has adventure, suspense, humour and genuine pathos. This is the first book I have read by Derek Hansen and he is a masterful storyteller, I will look for more by him.… (altro)