Reading Interests and Review Policy
What Jane Read Next
Reading here, There and Everywhere
Surrogate: A novel by Tracy Crisp Review
March 6, 2018 Janereads
Surrogate by Tracy Crisp, ISBN 978174305083, 230pp, Pub Nov 2017, Wakefield Press
Surrogate by Tracy Crisp is a powerful, beautifully written novel about two women from different generations and their experiences with family, personal relationships and motherhood. Set in Adelaide in the present and past, it follows the story of Rachael Carter, a young nurse who agrees to house-sit for a colleague, Dr Cate O'Reilly, and then becomes deeply involved in Cate's quest to become a mother. It also tells the story of Mary Bowen, a young woman who finds herself pregnant after her boyfriend heads off to the Vietnam War and is forced to give her baby up for adoption.
Two stories, two women and two generations entwine in Surrogate and as the story develops the reader learns of a connection between Rachael and Mary. Surrogate was a quick read for me as it's quite short but I wouldn't say it was an easy read as the sensitive subject matter of infertility, adoption and surrogacy is quite emotional to read about.
Surrogate is written in a very sparse way and the author doesn't waste a single word. I felt as though I was held at arm's length at times. The character Rachael doesn't reveal a lot, even in her internal dialogue, so at times I didn't really know why she was doing what she was doing. But I think this can often by the case in a work of literary fiction. As a reader I had to fill in the blanks.
Verdict: A quietly powerful story.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng – explores motherhood and adoption.
The Greatest Gift by Rachael Johns – explores infertility, egg donation and motherhood.
Thank you to Wakefield Press for sending me a copy of Surrogate: A Novel for in exchange for an honest review.
Book reviews, Books, Literaturebook review, books, Literature
Previous Article The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn Review
Next Article The Wife Between Us Review
3 thoughts on "Surrogate: A novel by Tracy Crisp Review"
Sheree Strange March 9, 2018 / 1:11 am
"Quietly powerful" = what a beautiful way to phrase it! I feel like so many authors try to play with the whole weaving-two-separate-characters'-lives-together narrative, and end up making things super complicated and over-wrought. It sounds like Crisp has managed to avoid that, judging by your review, so I'd be interested to check this one out. Great work!
Janereads March 9, 2018 / 6:52 am
Thank you. Yes you really need to read between the lines with this book. It's very subtle and sparse in its storytelling. Thanks once again for stopping by.
theorangutanlibrarian March 19, 2018 / 11:15 am
Glad this was powerful! Fantastic review!
Follow What Jane Read Next on WordPress.com
While You Were Reading Review and Blog Tour
The Trick to Time by Kit De Waal Review
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren Review
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren Review
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang Review
The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier Review
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See Review
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones Review
The Tiger Catcher by Paullina Simons Review
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary Review
The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris Review
Redemption Point by Candice Fox Review
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden Review
The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes Review
Crime/Thriller (16)
Janereads on While You Were Reading Review…
Sheree @ Keeping Up… on While You Were Reading Review…
Claire @bookscoffeea… on While You Were Reading Review…
Literary Elephant on Josh and Hazel's Guide t…
Janereads on Josh and Hazel's Guide t…