A Sudden Sun

by Trudy J. Morgan-Cole

When a devastating fire sweeps through St. John's, Newfoundland, in the summer of 1892, nineteen-year-old Lily Hunt hopes it's the beginning of a new life that will transform her from a dutiful daughter to a crusader, a suffragist, and a woman in love. Twenty years later, Lily's daughter Grace is deeply immersed in campaigning for women to have the vote. When Grace learns of her mother's involvement in the suffrage cause, the Lily she discovers bears little resemblance to the mother who raised her. Grace sets out on a quest to discover what changed Lily, and why she wants to hide her past. A Sudden Sun plunges into the world of two Newfoundland women at the turn of a new century, exploring the timeless and tangled bonds between mother and daughter.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Canada

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2014

Reviews

[David]

In many ways among the saddest books I have ever read, mostly because so much could have gone so differently for the characters in another era. The cross-generational 1892-93/1922-23 setting shows particularly well how a young rebel can grow into an old conservative. It is not a story without hope; there are many things to admire--note merely about the characters but about the way Morgan-Cole reveals them--but I can't help feeling sad that so much might have been different.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*
I really enjoyed this novel. I loved walking the streets of familiar St. John’s but seeing it from 130 years ago. The Newfoundland history covered was interesting, all the characters were likeable and their lives captivating. A great book to curl up with and be carried away. It was easy to become immersed in this story.

[Wisewebwoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written novel about generations of women in the turn of the 20th century Newfoundland. The novel explores the rise of the movement for women's rights, particularly the right to vote and explores how this has affected the mother and daughter.

A long gone Newfoundland is captured beautifully, the trains, the steamers, outport life and the bustle of carriages and horses in St. John's and how difficult it was to conduct a social life not approved by parents. Also the fire that wiped out most of the downtown.

The author avoids the melodramatic and I particularly enjoyed the ending where one is left to speculate as to Lily's future.

Recommend.

[Orla Hegarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

This is an important book that captures some of Newfoundland's #herstory in a very readable fiction format.

[Sandra Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the story is fictional set in true historic times, it really felt as if it were factual. I could envision every plot line, location and event. It made the book so very interesting to be familiar with the settings.
The storyline was riveting, with several surprises that took me off guard. And it is continuing in my brain with an alternate ending.

Great read.

[Leanne Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book! I really liked the character development but most of all I liked the history lesson! We were so thrilled to have the author come to our book club! Just fantastic!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally captivated by this book; loved the characters, the story and the new appreciation I gained for how hard women fought for the vote.

[Jacqueline]

Another great book by my favourite Newfoundland author. I started this one this summer and was reading it on my overdrive app but life was bust and I didn't finish the book before I had to return it. When I tried to renew it I discovered I had to put it on hold again to get it and I didn't get it again until 3 days ago, but I quickly finished it. I love the structure and characters of this book. I'd love to do it in a book club and discuss it as we're gong along. Great book set in Newfoundland and filled with interesting history of out province.