I have read lots of WWII novels, but very few have focused on what life was like in Italy and none have focused on the Philippines. In the Light of the Sun does this by placing Rosa Grassi in Italy with her grandmother and her sister, Caramina, with their family in the Philippines. Both sisters aspire to careers as sopranos in the opera like their nonna. While they both deal with cruelty, dwindling resources, and separation caused by the war, these things take different forms for each of the sisters.
The author's mother, aunts, and godmother grew up in the Philippines. This story is inspired by the stories they shared about the beauty of their country, the closeness of their family, their faith, and the role music played in their lives, things that helped them survive and thrive in wartime. Shupe also did considerable research, and this is evident in the details of this story.
While it took me a bit to get into the story, once I did, I was all in. I enjoyed the strong sensation of being there, especially in the jungle scenes, and feeling a strong sense of empathy for both main and secondary characters. Much of the story revolves around music, Rosa's training, Caramina's dream of one day training, and the importance of music in their daily lives. Even those, like me, who don't have a great interest in music, won't be weighed down or distracted by this focus. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of In the Light of the Sun from Random House Christian Publishing Group via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
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