Sunrising

by Susan Hubert

The sun was rising when they rode out of the gates and up the dust tracks towards the Umguza River. The eastern horizon was glowing in silent anticipation of the sun-filled day ahead. Isabella sat next to Gonda on the bench at the front of the mule cart, while Anthony and James rode their horses, and the dogs ran excitedly behind them. Isabella breathed deeply, smelling the dampness of the morning dew on the tall, dry grass. From English woman to African artist Like the artist Thomas Baines, Isabella Braithwaite was born in King's Lynn, Norfolk. From the moment she views his breathtaking paintings of the Victoria Falls she knows she wants to live in Africa and become an artist like him. She travels to the burgeoning country of Southern Rhodesia in 1898 where she meets and marries the banker, Anthony Craig. Together they enjoy a pioneering lifestyle in the settlement of Bulawayo; until their lives are shattered by the death of their infant son. In an attempt to pick up the pieces, Anthony accepts an offer from the wealthy businessman, Sir James Brooke, to partner him in an exploration company. This partnership includes moving into Sunrising , the beautiful house Sir James built a few years earlier. Their lives improve dramatically after this. Then, a second and more sinister tragedy occurs, leaving Isabella in turmoil. She no longer knows where she belongs or how she will ever cope again. Product Information "Vivid descriptions of the African bushveld establish the setting for numerous activities and events. Flora and fauna unique to this impala, a full chorus of frogs in the front yard, elephants, snakes, crocodiles, monkeys and baboons popping up intermittently, are not gratuitously inserted in scenes. Each encounter with these animals add to character and plot development. The crocodile scene provides suspense whenever anyone goes near a river. The prologue is interesting and important, providing historical background to the narrative. There are many factual references in the story, as well as allusions to real life events, like a train crashing into an elephant, or a ' loya ', a curse put on somebody by a witch doctor. Naïve Isabella is a complex and admirable protagonist. A varied cast intertwine her life. Anthony Craig is the perfect husband, kind and considerate. Sir James Brooke is a generous and elusive friend who comes and goes like a mysterious godfather. Gonda, the anachronistic major domo, is a gem, so opposite from Mabel, the annoyingly wicked ladies' maid from England. This story has romance, heroism, tragedy, villainy, and colonialism at its most genteel; a varied array of themes to delight any reader." Lynette McPeake, Canada.

The Sunrising Series The Sunrising Series depicts the lives of fictional families, the Craigs and the Brookes and their relationship with Africa and the people who they mix with there, from the time the first generation arrived as pioneers at the beginning of the twentieth century to the modern era. There is a forty year gap between the books and each is a standalone story.

Real life events and experiences are mixed with fiction to reveal the evolving interpersonal and socio economic landscape as the country moves from a British colony to an independent African country. The first two books in the series are set in colonial times while the second two, to be published in 2023 and 2025, will focus on life in the country after independence.

288 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Susan]

I liked the story and historical aspect, but the dialog between the characters was so flat, fake sounding, not like a real conversation.

[Katalin Ralph]

I really enjoyed this book and the historical backdrop made it even more fascinating. Lives told in this book are just so interesting and well written.

[Barbara]

Beautiful book, beautifully written. The author clearly portrayed her love of Africa, her home; the magnificence of the landscape, the idiosyncrasies of its culture, the beauty and the pitfalls of its wildlife. This is the story of Isabella Craig and how she grows during her time in Africa, through trial and tribulation, from a young English lady, recently married, recovering from her first tragedy, into a confident, independent woman with a future in Africa. Susan Hubert has drawn heavily on people and events in her own family and has produced a very worthwhile read. Thank you to the author and to Hidden Gems for providing me with a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.

[Rebecca]

So, it turns out this is historical fiction written based on a families biographical journals. So, I am leaving the tags for "memoir-biographical" on here, because it still fits.

This is a good story, engaging and interesting and of its time. The characters were well written and I enjoyed reading this book. With the exception of the "ladies maid" whom was lacking any real development. Perhaps if we spent more time with her? Or if we had any backstory of her? Anyways, she just felt like she was pushed and prodded along in this story.

I am eager to read the sequel to this book, I enjoyed this one very much.

[Ellen Baize]

Glimpse of life of those involved in colonization

As a second generation, born and raised in Zimbabwe I enjoyed the book. The story brought back many memories of stories I heard during my youth and the history of the country I love. My grandparentsp arrived in the country in 1921. Friends and classmates had great-grandparents and grandparents who arrived in the country earlier, some as early as the 1890s. This book brought to mind and illuninated stories, places and events I knew from childhood.

[Michele M]

Great historical perspective!

I liked the theme, and loved the characters. Ms. Hubert did a great justice to the British immigrants who settled in Africa. Their ambition, their perseverance, their struggles, their support for each other, including those less honorable. We also learn about their relationship to the local Africans as they try to recreate their wealthy British customs and lifestyle..

[ross palmer]

Lovely read

I really enjoyed the story lines and the description of Bulawayo at the turn of the century. My own grandparents would have been there a bit later on. Well done Susan. Can't wait for the next book.

[Virginia H. Mitcham]

story of challenges in settling Rhodesia

I enjoyed the compelling narrative of a young family’s living in Africa. Occasionally I found descriptions of places and people confusing. All in all, I was fascinated by the characters.

[Christopher Tritt/Morag Tritt]

Wonderfully Written

This book was so enjoyable; it kept surprising me! My grandparents were married in Bulawayo in 1905 and my mother born in Bulawayo in 1915. The area was so well described and I highly recommend it.

[Amy Webster-Bo]

i enjoyed this but it was slow, i have been stuck reading slow one lately, they start off slow and seem to have no point then by then its their, but u are already bored. fast read i did it while it was raining today

[Caroline Schulze]

Superb detail of Rhodesia in the old days.

Thoroughly enjoyed the story with such authentic history and descriptions of life in Rhodesia at the turn of the century. I really hope there is a sequel.

[kevin lawler]

Excellent reading

This book brings back many memoriesvof my life in Zimbabwe I look forward to the next episodes in this story

[Pat Evans]

I really enjoyed this book. I lived in Rhodesia and so found it really interesting. can't wait to read following book

[Rita Robertson]

Its a great story along with a so cardio intro to living in Africa.

I loved the family story and how it followed their lives and all the different trips made that were like tourist attractions as well as home life and the story of Isabella life so to speak

[Bonnye Stuart]

Great view of English life in south Africa during this period.

Loved that the saga had real historical connection to your family! Hope you enjoyed your time at LSU. Geaux Tigers!

[Mrs Jane]

A good tale of life in Rhodesia at the beginning of the twentieth century, with a murder mystery thrown in.

[An Deblaere]

No