Catch the Sun

by Ian Roberts

Book by Ian Roberts

Genres: Historical Fiction

580 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2005

Reviews

[Ian Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has been written, rewritten, pared, edited and written again, over many years. When I first submitted the manuscript, it attracted the attention of a London agent named Ursula Winnant, who gave Wilbur Smith his big break into publishing. I did not know this at the time, however. I rewrote the book, following Ursula Winnant’s guidelines and resubmitted the MS, as she had requested. Sadly, I found out that she had died the week before my second submission. The book gathered dust, in a desk drawer, for several more years, but it would not let me go. I rewrote it, changed the plot and was lucky enough to have it self-published. An acquaintance, who believed in the story, was generous enough to pay for the self-publishing with Authorhouse.

On publication, the book became available through Authorhouse, Amazon and Waterstone’s of London. The reaction was astounding. I sold a few hundred copies, via family and friends, lacking the funds to launch a marketing campaign, but those who have read Catch the Sun used expressions such as ‘fabulous’, ‘fantastic’, ‘heart-rending’, ‘exhilarating’ and ‘compulsive’, ‘made me cry’, ‘made me so angry’. Similarly, chapters uploaded on to writers’ websites, such as www.youwriteon.com and www.slushpilereader.com have elicited corresponding high regard, including an excellent professional review by Random House. The book is in contention for YouWriteOn 2011 Book of the Year”. It is currently doing the rounds of the office, where I work: the reaction is, once again, exceptional, and I am both delighted and humbled by the responses. Surprisingly, for an action and adventure novel, the female readership has eclipsed the male.

Each of the above-mentioned responses was voluntary and unsolicited, and I canvassed no one for praise. I write this, not to be boastful but because I believe in the story. There is no false conceit or self-aggrandisement, in what I have written here, but a belief backed up by others, of different ages, genders and nationalities as far afield as the USA and New Zealand.

[Julie Katepalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this book!

[Macpudel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a historical novel that takes me someplace I’ve never been before. In Catch the Sun, it’s South Africa during the Boer War in 1900 (that’s Dutch Afrikaaners vs the British). At 15, Jan Willem Prinsloo has just seen his parents slaughtered and is lucky to escape with his life. He’s an Afrikaaner, but his farming family had no stake in the war. Jan Willem is taken in by a British Major who eventually takes him back to England to live with the officer’s family.

Jan Willem’s wartime adventures during the Siege of Ladysmith (which I had never heard of) are expertly told, with all the elements that make historical adventure compelling: love, loyalty, danger and drama. The South African opening of Catch the Sun sets the stage for the majority of the book which takes place in England.

Jan Willem’s adjustment to life in England is rough to say the least. He’s bullied at the fancy boarding school the Major sends him to, and ends up being mentored by the Major’s gamekeeper. Perhaps as a result of all he’s been through, he’s a passionate young man who earns both enemies and protectors.

Where does someone like Jan Willem fit in rigidly stratified Victorian society? He’s not to the manor born, but following in the footsteps of his mentor as a gamekeeper is below his station. Author Ian Robertson depicts Jan Willem as a pretty realistic 15 – he knows right from wrong, he’s smart, but has a lot to learn about life, and he’s impulsive at times which gets him into trouble. He’s also looking for a father figure in his life, and is willing to forgive a lot for someone who is able to be present for him.

Catch the Sun has a great balance of character and plot, and kept me on my toes throughout. I was never sure who would live and who would die, or what the ultimate outcome for Jan Willem would be. I would recommend it to male and female readers who enjoy historical adventure. My only peeves were weak editing in my Kindle edition, and some backstory digressions that were awkwardly inserted and not strictly necessary. I look forward to reading the sequel, set during World War I.

[Carole Brattan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable book. Was recommended by a colleague who knows the author. I wasn't disappointed by this book.