Revolver (novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Books |
Revolver is a young adult novel released in 2009 by Marcus Sedgwick and published through Orion Books. The book earned a place on the shortlist for prestigious awards such as the Carnegie Medal and the Booktrust Teenage Prize, among several other recognitions.
Plot
Set near the Finland-Sweden border close to the Arctic Circle in 1910, Revolver centers on 15-year-old Sig Andersson who confronts a perilous predicament. Following the death of his father, Sig encounters Gunther Wolff, a man insisting that Sig’s father had stolen gold. With only his father’s revolver at hand, Sig faces the daunting decision of whether to defend himself against Wolff, whose expertise likely surpasses his own limited familiarity with firearms.
The story alternates with flashbacks to 1899 in Nome, Alaska, where Wolff, a gold prospector, accused Einar—Sig’s father—of deceit and demanded half of his gold. Einar’s efforts to safeguard his family culminated in tragic consequences, including the killing of Sig’s mother.
Reception
Revolver garnered widespread critical praise, receiving starred accolades from both Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly. Kirkus characterized it as "a chilling, atmospheric story" that underscores Sig’s challenging moral decisions. Meanwhile, Publishers Weekly lauded it as an "intense survival story" marked by elements of danger and harsh cold, highlighting Sedgwick’s adept weaving of references such as the Old Testament's tale of Job and historical advertisements.
In her review for The Guardian, Mary Hoffman highlighted the novel’s treatment of violence and ethical ambiguity despite its concise length. The audiobook version, narrated by Peter Berkrot, received a starred review from School Library Journal, which praised Berkrot’s "pitch-perfect voicing" and skillful pacing that enhance the suspense and bring the narrative vividly to life.
Awards and honours
Recognized as a Junior Library Guild selection, Revolver was listed among the best children’s books of 2010 by The Horn Book Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly. Additionally, it was named one of the top books of 2011 by Bank Street College of Education.
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Guardian Children's Fiction Prize | Template:Nom |
| 2010 | Booktrust Teenage Prize | Template:Sho |
| 2010 | Carnegie Medal | Template:Sho |
| 2011 | ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults | Template:Won |
| 2011 | Michael L. Printz Award | Template:Sho |