A depiction of Sunderland: The themes explored by the North Star novel
The North Star is an upcoming novel written by local author T.J Oswald. Publication is currently underway and it is set to be released at the end of 2023 by Olympia Publishers. A book which is set in Sunderland and the North East, it tells the story of one Sunderland girl’s journey to becoming an ancient hero derived from historical Northumbria, which is the novel’s title. As such, it is the first ever hero and fantasy work ever set on Wearside.
However, unique to the work is the fact that it is not a simplistic “good vs. evil” fairy tale, but rather is a complex, realist and lucid depiction of Sunderland and its people which despite its invocation of ancient heroes, monsters, villains and magic, never loses track of the real world in the process. Here, we explore some of the key sentimental themes depicted in the book:
Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
A introspective reading of the North Star effectively tells the tale of a girl who is suffering from trauma, perhaps Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the impact of tragedy on her life. We see this manifest in the book not only through the challenges Sophie faces physically, but is also represented through the repeated nightmares the character faces in regards to a certain location and a man, which later she must face up to, as well as the purported visions of her deceased mother. Is it “all in Sophie’s head?” the book can give you that impression.
Grief/Loss
The story also focuses on the impact of grief and the premature loss of a loved one can have on the family. From the get go, we see how a family has been torn apart by the passing of a mother/wife which creates a broken relationship between a girl and her father, with the latter having given up at life. This itself is what sews the book’s narrative and sets its plot in motion through the motivations and thinking of the main character
Despair and Disillusionment
The book does not let its fantasy overtures get in the way of crafting and depicting an ultra realist representation of the City of Sunderland and its people. In doing so, it frames a city which has been grappled with disillusionment and despair following the decline of its industries, and has a cynical and negative view of the world. This is clearly manifest through one of the characters being a popular right wing politician, as well as the attitude of Sophie’s father, a former shipyard worker.
Anti-social behaviour
The North Star is a commentary on the impact of anti-social behaviour and young people in Sunderland, and Britain at large. Not only does it introduce explicit chav characters, but it also carries one of the most masterful metaphors of anti-social behaviour seen yet through the use of monsters, as inspired by Northumbrian folk lore, known as “Redcaps”. These creatures are deliberate representations of violent, unruly and aggressive young men who indiscriminately attack others
Confronting your fears
A common theme in coming of age books, the North Star depicts one girl and her friend’s journeys to confront their fears and ultimately better themselves in the process, which ties into the first point of trauma and PTSD. Yet throughout the story, each of the three main protagonists, Sophie, Millie and Micky, ultimately undergo experiences which change them and make them grow up, bonding them to each other. Harry Potter vibes in this instance.
Redemption and Forgiveness
The North Star focuses on the idea that people should be forgiven, and can change, either individually or collectively. It explores how people hold grudges, particularly between the main character and her father, but also in relation to Sunderland itself, how the city can have a hope for the future and escape the cycle of negativity.
