An Irishman's Love Letter to the Human Experience

This review really should have been posted over a month ago but, as per usual, life (AKA my procrastination) got in the way.

Nevertheless, I am back and more than ready to discuss one of the best books that I’ve read in a very, very, long time.*

*Disclaimer, I’m a HUGE U2 fan.

Now to my analysis:

Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story is a memoir written by U2 frontman Bono. The book reflects on key moments from throughout the singer’s life, covering his 1960s boyhood in Dublin to his seemingly miraculous ascent to global stardom and a life of activism. 

Admittedly, if you're not a U2 fan or at least somewhat familiar with the singer’s life, the book can be slightly confusing at times. Memories are not recounted chronologically, but rather thematically, and even then some stories appear unrelated. While certainly an unconventional way to write a memoir, the structure perhaps offers greater semblance to the actual nature of memory itself–disorderly, spontaneous, and, at times, confusing. 

Each chapter of the book is named after one of the band’s songs and is preluded by a selection of verses

and corresponding drawing sketched by Bono himself. All of the songs represent an impactful moment in the singer’s life, and to my pleasant surprise some of my personal favorites were featured. Learning about the significance of these songs from the artist’s perspective only enhanced my appreciation of Bono and the greater work of U2 as a whole.

Following the topical theme of songs, the entire memoir reads very poetically. At times Bono’s accounts carry the tone of slam poetry, and you can almost imagine the singer recounting them while sitting on a stool with a microphone in hand. Every word seems to carry a sort of weight and rhythm, and the line between memory and song occasionally becomes blurred. 

Surrender is also laced with a spirit of candor. Bono recognizes his existence as an aberration of sorts, being born into a both Protestant and Catholic family during the height of The Troubles. Throughout his life the singer and his band learned to walk the fine line between these and other groups, navigating a multilayered struggle

for identity that is often heard in the music of U2. Bono makes every effort to offer an authentic portrayal of himself, diving into detail about the good, the bad, and the ugly of his life. He openly confesses to past mistakes while recognizing that they do not define who he is or who he is becoming. He acknowledges that his journey is far from over, and that as long as he is alive there are still lessons to be learned. It’s a rare attitude of humility for the lead singer of one of the world’s biggest rock bands. 

Above all else however Surrender is an ode to Bono’s community and the collective experiences that shaped them. His marriage to his high school sweetheart Ally and friendship with his three bandmates have remarkably withstood the test of time, having been tested by a myriad of trials and hardship along the way. For Bono, this group is his chosen family, making it clear that he would not be the man he is today without these people by his side. He also pays homage to his fans, management, and children, all of whom have enabled him to live a life of abundance. 

In this sense Surrender ironically and perhaps unintentionally serves as a call-to-action, compelling us to release control of our circumstances and instead pursue the light and love found in the world around us. Life has no shortage of hardships, admits Bono, but in our oneness with others we find the solace and strength needed to keep journeying onward and marvel at the wonder of existence. Whether or not you’re a U2 fan, that message can resonate with us all.