The Quick Answer: Does Emery Hooper Find a Home at Derrymore?
If you are looking for a heartwarming tale of a Korean adoptee finding her tribe in a wealthy boarding school, look elsewhere. To Have and Have More is not that book. The ending of the novel provides a chilling, cynical realization: Emery Hooper does not find 'belonging' in the traditional sense. Instead, she gains a sharp, surgical understanding of the rot beneath the gilded surface of Derrymore Academy.
By the final pages, Emery acknowledges the 'moral erosion' of her environment—a world where identity is a commodity and proximity to whiteness is a survival tactic rather than a bridge to connection. The story ends not with a hug, but with a cold stare into the abyss of late-stage capitalism. It is a 'Bad Ending' for those seeking emotional resolution, but a 'Perfect Ending' for a social satire intended to leave a bruise. Read full discussion here.
The Golden Cage: Arrival at Derrymore Academy
The narrative hook of To Have and Have More is deceptively simple. 14-year-old Emery Hooper, a Korean girl adopted into a wealthy white family, arrives at the prestigious Derrymore Academy. It is a breeding ground for the elite, a place where the air is thick with privilege and the casual racism is so refined it almost feels polite. Sanibel, the author, uses this setting as a Petri dish to observe how power dynamics warp the adolescent mind.
Emery’s entry into this world is marked by a profound sense of 'otherness' that her family’s bank account cannot quite erase. While she has the 'Have'—the access, the clothing, the tuition—she is constantly reminded that she does not have the 'More'—the ancestral history and the effortless comfort of those born into the lineage of Derrymore. The school is portrayed not just as an educational institution, but as a manufacturing plant for the next generation of the ruling class, where any deviation from the norm is treated as a defect to be polished away.
What makes the setup of To Have and Have More so effective is how it weaponizes the 'adoptee narrative.' Emery isn't just an outsider; she is an insider with an expiration date. Her white family provides a shield that is perpetually thinning as she navigates the social hierarchies of her peers. The 'Dark Comedy' elements shine here, as the absurdity of elite rituals is juxtaposed with the very real psychological toll they take on a young girl trying to find her reflection in a room full of distorted mirrors.
The Mirror Student: A Contrast in Survival
One of the most compelling aspects of To Have and Have More is the introduction of another Asian student who serves as a narrative mirror for Emery. This character is not a best friend or a rival in the traditional sense, but a reflection of the 'different path.' While Emery attempts to blend in, to soften her edges, and to perform the role of the 'well-adjusted adoptee,' this second student represents a different method of navigating a world not built for them.
Their interactions are some of the most tense moments in the book. There is a silent, mutual understanding between them that is never fully voiced—a recognition of the labor required to exist in white spaces. Through this relationship, Sanibel critiques the 'Model Minority' myth and the internal competition that arises when the elite only leave space for one 'diverse' representative at the table.
As the freshman year progresses, the social tension peaks. We see Emery beginning to question the cost of her proximity to power. Is the protection of Derrymore worth the erasure of her own psyche? The 'Late Capitalist Critique' is most evident here, as the students are seen treating their identities and their relationships as assets to be traded or liquidated. Emery’s realization that she is being viewed as a diversity 'asset' for the school’s image, rather than a person, is the turning point that leads to the novel’s cynical conclusion. Explore the author's official notes here.
The Ending Explained: Moral Erosion and the Final Choice
The climax of To Have and Have More is less of a physical confrontation and more of a spiritual surrender. The 'moral erosion' that has been teased throughout the novel finally consumes the social fabric of Derrymore. A specific event involving the elite legacy students—those whose names are on the buildings—reveals the true depth of the school’s rot. Emery is faced with a choice: speak out and risk her status, or remain silent and cement her place among the elite.
In a move that has polarized readers, Emery chooses a path that is neither heroic nor entirely villainous. She chooses survival. But this survival comes at the cost of her empathy. The ending suggests that to truly 'Have More' in this world, one must be willing to lose everything that makes them human. The protagonist gains a 'sharp, dark clarity' about her position. She understands that she will always be a guest at the table, and her seat is only guaranteed as long as she remains useful to the host.
This is why so many readers find the ending of To Have and Have More frustrating. We want Emery to burn it all down. We want her to be the 'Dark Academia' protagonist who sabotages the legacy students and emerges victorious. But Sanibel is writing a satire, not a revenge fantasy. By having Emery succumb to the environment, the author makes a much more powerful point about the inescapable nature of systemic privilege. The system doesn't break; it breaks you.
The Verdict: Is the Bitter Pill Worth Swallowing?
To Have and Have More is a challenging, often uncomfortable read that refuses to give the audience what they want. It is a 'coming-of-age' story where the character doesn't grow up so much as she grows cold. If you enjoy books like the secret history or Yellowface, you will find much to admire in Sanibel’s sharp prose and unflinching critique of class.
However, if you are looking for a story with a proactive protagonist who fights back against racism and classism, Emery Hooper might frustrate you. Her passivity is the point, but it is a point that requires patience to appreciate. The novel is a mirror held up to the 'vacuous nature of late-stage capitalism,' and like any honest mirror, it doesn't always show us a pretty picture.
Ultimately, To Have and Have More succeeds because it captures the specific loneliness of being an outsider on the inside. It is a story about the high price of belonging and the even higher price of realization. It is a debut that announces Sanibel as a writer who is not afraid to leave her readers in the dark. Read the full interview with Sanibel.
FAQ
1. Does To Have and Have More have a happy ending?
No, the ending is considered bittersweet or cynical. Emery Hooper gains clarity about the moral decay of her elite school but loses her sense of idealistic belonging.
2. What are the main themes of To Have and Have More?
The novel explores themes of Korean adoption, social satire, elite boarding school culture, and the moral erosion caused by late-stage capitalism.
3. Is To Have and Have More based on a true story?
While the novel is a work of fiction, it draws heavily on the real-world experiences of transracial adoptees and the social dynamics of elite private institutions.
4. Who is the main antagonist in the book?
There is no single villain; rather, the 'antagonist' is the systemic privilege and casual racism inherent in the Derrymore Academy environment.
References
goodreads.com — Goodreads: To Have and Have More by Sanibel
sanibel.ink — Sanibel Official Site: To Have and Have More
thenerddaily.com — The Nerd Daily: Sanibel Interview