This September Sun by Bryony Rheam
Ellie, a quiet young girl growing up in contemporary Zimbabwe who has a strong bond with her grandma Evelyn, is the protagonist of this touching and poignant book. Ellie learns one day that her cherished grandma had been cruelly murdered, seemingly for no cause. The story then goes back to 1946 in Rhodesia. Young English war widow Evie relocates to a foreign continent where she doesn’t know anyone and begins a passionate and perilous relationship with a strong, married man. Will he ever leave his marriage, she wonders. After a relationship has ended, can life carry on? This fascinating book, which bravely examines the political and social circumstances of white Zimbabwe from the 1940s to the present, reveals a long-kept truth.
This September Sun by Bryony Rheam
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Ellie, a small child growing up as Rhodesia separates from the UK and transforms into Zimbabwe, and the family members whose lives are intricately entwined with hers are the subjects of Briony Rheam’s debut book. Following that, it investigates how her early connections affect the ones she is able to form and maintain as an adult. She then moves to the UK and begins a new life. In order to develop a picture of the individuals and their connections, particularly Ellie’s loving, intense, but occasionally stressful relationship with her grandmother Evelyn, the novel begins with a dramatic incident and then moves somewhat slowly for most of part 1.
This section of the book can occasionally feel a little slow, even to the point where you begin to doubt that you are reading a novel and begin to believe you are reading an excessively detailed autobiography. But pay attention because it establishes the setting for the second half of the book, where the narrative truly starts to take shape. Ellie is forced to go back to Zimbabwe to take care of Evelyn’s business after her death. She learns that her grandmother’s life and connections were more complicated than they first appeared. Ellie starts to doubt herself and her perception of her family dynamics as the plot develops.
The main thesis of the book is that we all exist as private persons and that despite how often those who are near to us don’t actually know us at all, our relationships with them are nonetheless affected by this. Although I found the book slow to start, it gradually captured my attention. Although there aren’t any major surprises or outlandish upsets (which isn’t always a bad thing! ), the tale is skillfully handled, and as the plot moves forward, my understanding and empathy for the characters grow. The glimpse into a bygone period is likewise alluring.
