Overview

Told from alternating points of view, Jonno and James tell the story of their journey from home to Lima, through Huarez and ultimately to the peak of Casharaju in the Cordillera Huayhuash mountain range in Peru. The narrative is intercepted by occasional vignettes from people they meet along the way, who provide a birds eye view of their developing relationship and of the cultural context of Peru itself. Written almost in the form of diary entries, the reader is party to the innermost thoughts of each character, with the surrounding dialogue showing what is being left unsaid between them. Together, in body if not in mind, Jonno and James ascend the Casharaju peak until the adventure hits disaster and Jonno has to step up and take the lead to try and save his father. This coming of age book attempts to deal with themes of the father-son dynamic, what it means to be a man, life in a developing country, women's rights, being an outsider, the problematic way in how we are perceived by others, what is personal truth and what it ultimately means to be successful.

Full Product Details

9781912092208

Table of Contents

Reviews

Within moments of opening this book one is drawn to the 'rocky gummed teeth' of the alienesque landscape and the conflict at the core of the novel. In this way, the title of the book captures its subject well because the narrative is about hope, upbringing, family and nature. Indeed, a dual narrative of coming of age and accepting age is central to the story, with the discovery of self and especially masculinity being a key theme that parallels the strenuous journey undertaken by the characters. We can feel the butterflies. This adventure is rich in detail, from airport announcements to the taste of fried chicken, rippling out to include the perspectives of passers-by in a way that strengthens the story. Through it all, the two main characters complement each other well, each being relatable in their own way. Ultimately, The Rising of the Son is a book that questions what it means to be successful in life, leaving one questioning what one's core values are. - Elle

Author Information

Giles Dawnay is a trainee doctor from Hereford. Prior to becoming a doctor and a writer, Giles worked in the expedition travel industry where he led groups around the world to such far flung places as the Fijian islands, West Africa's Timbuktu and the Peruvian Andes. This is where he first discovered his love of mountains and fascination with climbing them. It is his time spent with the peoples of the remote Peruvian mountain villages and on the faces of their nearby peaks that provided inspiration for the novel.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available