The Sunflower and the Sparrow

by Fred Simpson

How do we grow as adults? What comfort or grudge must be dispensed with, what risk embraced? This comic drama traces the lives of four stalled characters as they intersect and influence one another in odd and unexpected ways.

Carol, a wife trapped, isolated and controlled by an awful man, seethes under a serene mask, but, when sickness tips the balance of power in her favour, she plots a path of retribution. Frank, an amiable, aging medical practitioner challenged by the unsettling prospect of disabling disease and a decline in professional competency, becomes preoccupied with the looming spectre of irrelevance. Quince, named after the fruit, has been content to lead a safe life supported by a comfortable inheritance, but a jolt in early middle-age exposes the tantalising and terrifying truth of his potential. And Eleanor, Frank's younger colleague, is woken from a seven-year hibernation triggered by the early death of her son's father and forced to risk hurt for happiness.

Set in the central North Island of New Zealand the book provides a matrix for these flawed but endearing characters, confronted by choice and chance, to navigate their way toward interdependent but uncertain outcomes.

296 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2021

About the author

Fred Simpson was born in 1949 in South Africa but was raised and educated in Zimbabwe. He briefly taught English in Bulawayo in the early ‘70s, and then studied medicine in Cape Town. The focus of his medical career has always been in rural General Practice, first in South Africa, and then in New Zealand, which he and his family moved to in 1987.

He continues to work as a doctor, but his ‘secret love’ of writing (producing the occasional poem), is no longer a secret! In the past few years he has written a short novel entitled Ted’s Urn, and a two-act play, as well as a number of poems, several of which have been published in literary magazines in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. He has also published a collection of poems entitled Lucky Me! Fred Simpson lives in Cambridge, New Zealand, with his wife and his cat.

You can find Fred Simpson on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FredSimpsonWriter.

Reviews

[Alisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon!The Sunflower and the Sparrow is an overall wholesome and enjoyable read. Recently I’ve read some books that dive into heavier emotions or topics, and this book was a great change of pace.

It is told through four character’s perspectives, and unlike most books like this there was not one perspective that I found more enjoyable to read. Fred Simpson’s choices of characters to tell the story and their connections with each other was unexpected and interesting.

The first character we meet is Carol, an older woman who has unfortunately had a tough life due to her marriage to a terrible man. The next is her husband’s doctor Frank. This is not an obvious choice in a second character perspective! He is going through a health scare of his own and learning to enjoy what is around him as he transitions into a new phase in life. Eleanor is a young doctor at Frank’s practice. She is struggling to truly enjoy life and not get caught up in the day-to-day trivialities after experiencing an unexplained loss. Finally, there is Quince. A patient of Frank’s who is not reaching his potential, and is just not satisfied with his life or himself.

These four characters’ stories are intertwined in delightful ways. They are all lovable and you can’t help but root for them all as they try to improve their lives. I think the overall theme of the story is a beautiful one: No matter how old you might be, you can make little changes in your life to find your own happiness.

In addition, the book has a beautiful setting. It is set in New Zealand and Australia. The descriptions help to really visualize these places even if you have never been (I haven’t!). The setting, characters, and the unembellished, authentic writing makes this story such a realistic one that is just fun to read.

I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh perspective on their own lives! Thank you to Indelible Ink for providing me the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Jennifer Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set in the North Island of New Zealand. It tells the story of four people all connected in some way, who have the realisation of the need to live their lives. To awaken their souls.

Carol has lived with an abusive husband her entire adult life. His poor health suddenly opens up the opportunity for her to take control. To experience things for the first time in her life. To answer to nobody but herself.
Frank is a local GP who has a health scare which opens his eyes to all the wonderful things in his life that he was previously too busy to fully appreciate.
Eleanor is in an emotional fog. After losing her unborn son's father in unexplained circumstances, she has been solely focused on her son and her career. Everything she does is with those two things in mind. After some kind words from her boss encouraging me her to go out and live her life instead of wasting it, she starts to open her mind and her heart to new emotional experiences.
Quince is just floating by with no real purpose. He is a popular, confident, fun person who is well loved and thought of, but after some contemplation he comes to the realisation that he has nothing real to show for all his years. No purpose. No true achievements. It's time to make some changes.

I enjoyed reading the characters stories and their points of view. Although they were all different, they ended with the same goal. To live their lives and stop just trudging along. The way they do this was so subtle and understated, it made it really believable. No massive life changing decisions, just small changes. Such as a slight reduction in work commitments, being open to socialising with friends and meeting new people, getting your own car and a small part time job, or a camping holiday and a practical business idea.
I really appreciated how realistic the storyline was and found it quite inspiring. It was all small changes that anyone could be capable of, but the change to their wellbeing was massive.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is feeling like their day to day life is mundane and unimportant. I believe it carries a really important message to readers without being patronising or over the top. You tend to read storylines like this after a major life changing incident has occurred but this shows that that isn't necessary. It can be possible with a few small changes. Take a step back or take more risks. It might just change your life for the better.

[Jenna Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book within 3 days, I really wanted to know what happened next. I struggled with some words in the book but I think this is purely because the story is based in New Zealand and I'm from England. Each sector of the book goes through 4 different peoples lives, which I struggled with a bit because by the time I had got back to the first person I had forgotten what the previous chapter of that person was about. After reading a few sentences I soon remembered what the plot was about so it wasn't much of an issue.

The plot was really interesting, showing how people from different walks of lives that didn't previously know each other have an affect on each others present and future. Some may be little things, others big but I enjoyed reading and seeing what a difference each character in the book made on the others.

I give it 4 stars.

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sunflower and the sparrow is based in New Zealand and is about four people who are sorted connected with each other. Frank and Eleanor are both doctors than there Quince and Carol. The story is around these four characters.
Carol has issues with husband who not nice to her who than falls ill.
Eleanor is a doctor and has son and her.
Frank is a doctor and he thinks he getting ill so he starts looking at life differently.
Quince hunks he’s ill but he’s fine and the doctor tells him to get a life.
I connected with Carol and Frank more than the other two and I found the stories more interesting. I found it hard to get into the other characters story.
When I got to the end I was a little bit disappointed because I wanted to know what happened with Carol.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book.

[Helen R Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting novel that follows four characters as their lives interweave with each other and the impact that has on each of their lives.
I love the concept behind this, how one person can have an impact on a life. Be it by something small, such as one sentence or small gift, or something larger.
All four characters are well developed and you really get to know them and their story well. I loved seeing them all grow and all of their lives become better.
As the book is set in sections with one part of each dedicated to one character I did find it difficult to remember what had happened the last time though.
I thoroughly enjoyed the New Zealand (and Australia holiday) setting. Both are places I want to visit so loved how descriptive the scene setting of them is.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the beginning, the opening character, Carol’s story had me hooked from page one. In fact all of the characters were well rounded and believable and their lives and interactions cleverly intertwined by the author Fred Simpson. Their dialogue flowed naturally and the action developed in the same way, without feeling cliched or contrived. I would definitely recommend this book and cannot wait to read more from this author.

[Sara Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb follow-up to Ted's Urn but could also be read independently of the previous book. I cannot praise Fred's ability to convey sensory experiences and observances highly enough. I became very invested with the character's lives and finishing the book is like saying goodbye to old friends. Looking forward to catching up with them again in the future.

[Maree · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely read that draws you in with warmth and subtlety. Fun to read something based mostly locally and in the same timeframe and I liked all the characters, their lives and doubts and the connections. Enjoyed this book a lot.
Only slight irritation was a personal preference for fewer exclamation marks.