In 2004 Lee wrote one of the year’s best books, Aloft. If you haven’t read it, try to get a copy, because it’s one of my top ten books of all time. His new book arrived yesterday, The Surrendered. It’s another breathtaking book. The story starts in Korea at the end of the Korean War. Three children have jumped on a train to head south and escape the fighting. Tragedy strikes, and June, the oldest sister, is left to continue her journey alone. She is placed in an orphanage run by American missionaries - she’s a very agressive, angry child but becomes friends with an American ex serviceman who arranges for her to migrate to America. The woman in the middle of this relationship is Sylvie, the beautiful, damaged missionary wife. Then thirty six years on we meet June, who is dying, and who wants to return to confront her past. This is a must read.
