The Rising of the Son

by Giles Dawnay

James and Jonno embark on a trip of a lifetime to the mountainous villages of the Peruvian Andes. Father and son, they have different motivations, yet are united by the spirit of adventure. When disaster strikes, they have to draw deep into their hearts and face not only the unforgiving mountains but also their own inner turmoil.This is a story that inspires and awes, with majestic mountain horizons blending with the unfathomable depths of human character. It speaks to all of us, young and old, with lessons that resound through history.‘An adventure of mind and spirit – every page surges you on.’

262 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 2020

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

High altitude adventure and paternal bonds provide the backdrop to Giles Dawnay’s thrilling tale, The Rising of the Son. Drawing on his experience as a writer, explorer and medic, Dawnay sets his debut novel in Huaraz, the Switzerland of Peru, a world renowned centre for trekking and climbing. With disparate levels of excitement and trepidation, father and teenage son, James and Jonno, embark on a challenging journey to conquer one of the Andes' most difficult peaks. In the process the pair hope to bridge the chasm that has slowly developed between them and rekindle their drive. Under prepared, tetchy and distant, the pair at first struggle with the physical and emotional demands of the trip. In addition to weighty rucksacks they carry the additional load associated with unsaid and unresolved issues. The tale barrels along building tension and as their fatigue and frustration grow they are forced to question their relationship in the face of unprecedented challenge. Along their path a range of local characters add new perspectives and help to build a colourful picture of Peru’s rich culture. For Jonno, the trip is a coming of age experience. For James, it provides a much needed opportunity to reflect and reset his priorities. Hair raising experiences, including a high speed taxi journey into the centre of Lima and a high altitude crisis, are convincingly conveyed. The poverty, pace and priorities of life in the Andes are finely contrasted against the pair's comfortable suburban background. Through short descriptive chapters that follow each stage of their journey, the reader is introduced to the eccentricities of Latin American travel and to some of the skills necessary for high altitude climbing. Dawnay has raised important points about the essence of winning, success and parental love.

[Sarah Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giles Dawnay's book intended for ages 12 - 18 years, explores the various emotions within a father/son relationship. The prologue begins halfway through the story where the son, Jonno, seeks help for his father, James, after an accident in the Peruvian mountains. This short insight into the nucleus of the story leads into Chapter One, and the beginning of the trek to Peru.

Being a successful surgeon, James finds it easier to relate to his patients, ignoring his relationship with his son - mirroring his own father/son relationship, awkward and expectant.

Jonno, who leans towards his artistic side, discovers his father's expectations for him are too high, and therefore he cannot gain his approval. When a trekking trip to Peru is suggested, it is hoped that father/son will find a mutual bonding process where their emotions can be aired.

As the book unravels the turbulent emotions of Jonno's teenage years, including his thoughts, temper, and unpredictable hormones, it uncovers the make-up of a 17 year old boy. Reverting to his own father/son relationship, James struggles to connect with Jonno, and just as disaster strikes the relationship, his father has an accident.

In quite an extraordinary manner the book highlights a transfer of power from father to son, as Jonno hurries for help.

Within the pages of this book the reader is drawn into the emotional play between the two main protagonists.

Giles Dawnay's research into emotional conflict pulls the story together.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within moments of opening this book one is drawn to the ‘rocky gummed teeth’ of the alienesque landscape and the conflict at the core of the novel. In this way, the title of the book captures its subject well because the narrative is about hope, upbringing, family and nature. Indeed, a dual narrative of coming of age and accepting age is central to the story, with the discovery of self and especially masculinity being a key theme that parallels the strenuous journey undertaken by the characters. A question is being planted for each step of the way.
For those of us with cancelled holidays, the book also provides a glimpse of that travel-bug we cannot satisfy:
“He felt a strange sense of this being a small secret: he and his father slipping out of comfortable suburbia under cover of darkness to fly across the Atlantic.”
We can feel the butterflies. This adventure is rich in detail, from airport announcements to the taste of fried chicken, rippling out to include the perspectives of passers-by in a way that strengthens the story. Through it all, the two main characters complement each other well, each being relatable in their own way. Ultimately, The Rising of the Son is a book that questions what it means to be successful in life, leaving one questioning what one’s core values are.

[Caroline Shuttlewood · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover gives the impression that this book is a climbing adventure. And it is that, but also so much more.

The book tells the tale of a father and son on a trip of a lifetime to climb a mountain in Peru. Both the scenery and culture in Peru are described incredibly well, which really helps bring both elements to life. And yes there's a dramatic incident on the climb, the tension leading up to the incident and the aftermath is built well and keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens.

But more than that this book really explores the complicated relationship between father and son and just how much of an impact this relationship has on both of their lives. The narrative comes from both character perspectives and let's us in on how both are feeling about each other, themselves and their relationship. Ultimately highlighting the importance of this relationship to both of them.

There's some really interesting and thought provoking moments in this book around how happiness and success are defined, and how the measures of both can be different in different cultures.

All in all I really enjoyed this book and would recommend.

[Beth Cowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Adventure Novel with a Difference

Opening in the harsh Peruvian mountains, The Rising of The Son is more than just an adventure novel. As father and son, James and Jonno, explore Peru the novel explores their developing familial relationship as they encounter different places and people, and then as it is pushed in the ultimate extreme. This is a coming-of-age tale with a difference. Not only does author Giles Dawnay provide in-depth characters for the reader to invest in but he also introduces us to the social and political culture of Peru which - speaking as someone who has never been – really brings the country alive. A gripping read that takes you on an emotional and physical journey alongside its protagonists, I would highly recommend.

[Pete Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A climbing adventure that contains exploration of familial relationships, philosophical discussion of cultural expectations on gender & the brutality of mountains. Great debut from Giles Dawnay, particularly enjoyed Jonno vs Magdalena on how to be a man.

[Lauren Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a heartwarming tale of resilience and determination but it can be a little bit hard to get into but it's worth persevering with. 4 stars 🌟