SUN NIGHT

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Sun Night follows the lives of two brothers growing up in Panama in 1976. Sebastian and Santiago live in a home with an alcoholic and philanderer father. Their mother, Michelle, an English teacher, takes on the role of both parents while trying to keep her marriage alive for her children’s sake.

The boys are very close and protective of each other. They keep strong through all the adversity of their lives through stories they tell each other when they go to sleep at night. One day, Sebastian creates a collage of the sun for a school project which prompts his brother to ask him, “Where does the sun go at night?” The question sparks Sebastian’s imagination to take them as far away as possible from their reality.

This book is magnificent…unique and well-executed, it felt like I was hearing the story around a campfire. E.H. de la Espriella as an author has impeccable instincts when it comes to the craft of writing.

Review by A. Gifford - Santa Fe Writers Project

Sun Night by E.H. de la Espriella is a memoir, telling the story of two boys, Santiago and Sebastian, brothers connected by an exceptionally tight bond. The older one, Sebastian, is sensitive, pensive, and artistic while the younger Santiago is outgoing, athletic, and boisterous yet protective of Sebastian. Taking refuge in nightly conversations helps them sort through their experiences at school and at home, answering questions about life. These bedtime talks often become journeys across the world, imaginative and illustrated by the sun and clouds and other aspects of the heavens, to such diverse destinations as China, Italy, and Spain, and into space itself. But, the two brothers learn the difference between imagination and the realities of life as they are faced with parental discord and, ultimately, death itself.

The language of E.H. de la Espriella’s Sun Night is often lyrical, showing us scenes as if through a kaleidoscope, evoking wonder yet still profound. Just as often, the language is plain-spoken, describing the boys’ and their parents’ interactions and conversations matter-of-factly. Written in the third person, this allows readers to enter the minds of various characters. This book is much like a travelogue, though equal parts fantasy and reality. It also affirms the truth that loved ones who are no longer with us continue to affect our lives and not just through our grief at their loss. Finally, young readers can discover new truths and identify with the boys’ experiences while older readers can rediscover misplaced childhood wisdom and answers to forgotten questions. This book is well worth the read!

Review by A. L. Peevey for Readers’ Favorite

Sun Night recollects the story of two brothers -- Sebastian and Santiago -- growing up in the 1970s before many technological advancements and toys were available. They share a bedroom, and we quickly see that their sibling bond is very strong, as they are each very protective of one another. Sebastian, the older brother, is intellectual, creative, and introspective. His younger brother, Santiago, is playful, fun-loving, and outgoing. Yet, despite their age difference, they calm each other's fears and have each other's backs in different situations.

Fantastical moments are sprinkled throughout the memoir. The sun and other weather phenomena take shape on the ceiling of the boys' room. These also take on symbolic properties of whatever is going on in Sebastian's and Santiago's lives at that moment -- good or bad. Sebastian uses these visions to weave stories that take his younger brother Santiago on magical journeys and make him feel that all will be all right with the world. In return, Santiago gives his older brother Sebastian his unconditional brotherly love and helps him to conquer his own fears.

One of the unique facets of this memoir is that it is told in the third person narrative. Because it's written like this, we not only get to see one point of view but many. We see things that go beyond what one narrator/observer would traditionally view. Further, the descriptive text throughout the book feels lyrical and really makes the pages come alive.

The last couple of chapters flew by for me as the story reached its climax. I wanted to rush through them to see what happened, but at the same time, I didn't want it to end. As the story reached its finale, I wanted to know more about what happened to the author and his family. Fortunately, the author provides an afterword that fills in many gaps and answers many questions.

This is a classic story that stands out from its peers. It's a beautifully told memoir examining one moment in time of the author's life. It's about the innocence of childhood, the bond and deep friendship between brothers, and how one event can affect us for the rest of our lives.

Review by E. Klee - Amazon Vine Voice