O Sol Mais Brilhante

by Adrienne Benson

Um romance esclarecedor sobre a tristeza da perda, a luta para encontrar o seu lugar no mundo e a busca pelo significado de família e lar, contado sob a perspectiva de três mulheres no deserto subsaariano.

Genres: Fiction, Africa, Book Club, Historical Fiction, Drama, Kenya, Adult

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2018

Reviews

[Angela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three women, each bearing a burden . Leona is carrying the awful things that happened to her as a child, something that stifles her with fear of the closeness of a relationship and distances her from her newborn daughter. Simi is grieving for her inability to bear children, of being barren in a society where a woman is deemed worthless without children but mostly her deep desire to be a mother. Jane bears the burden of guilt, failing to promise her mother to care for her brother as her mother asked before she died. Their paths cross in the wild and beautiful land of Kenya, home to Simi and where Leona comes as an anthropologist and Jane with her husband who works for the State Department.

This is a story of mothers and their children, a story about women who are not perfect but yet I was drawn to them. In their introspective narratives, I was captivated by their personal struggles, their tragedies, their complexities and their relationships with their daughters, Adia and Grace who become the links that bring that bring them together. It is also the story of Leona and her mother and John, Adia’s father and his mother. I think it’s notable that Adrienne Benson does not shy away from some controversial topics related to the practice of genitalia cutting in young women and to the poaching of animals. She was raised in Africa and her first hand knowledge and experience there shines through this moving, heart breaking yet hopeful book.


I received an advanced copy of this book from Park Row Books/Harlequin through NetGalley.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to finish on Mother's day, as it focuses on three different mothers. Two of them have the added challenge of also trying to adjust and make a living in a country not their own. The country is Africa, Kenya but also travels to s few other places on the continent. I am not going to rehash the plot because the book summary does that. So I'll just say one mother comes from a line of "bad mothers" women who are not naturally nurturing. Another is a member of the Massai tribe, a tribe that puts a great deal of pressure on women to bear children as those who sre barren are considered unlucky. This mother becomes a mother in a different way. Our third mother is married to s man and moves to s different location every three years or so. All these mothers will eventually play important roles in each other lives.

Beautiful descriptions of Africa, flora, fauna as well as the insidious effects of drought. The roles of a mother, how difficult but rewarding that can be, how hard for those who struggle with that role. Elephsnt mothers have their daughters with them for life, not so as one of our mothers says in the book, daughters go away and mothers must let go. This book gives us much to cheer about, but also much to grieve about, also much to think . How important mothers are in a child's early life, and how the effect from bad or negligent mothering can follow one through their life. It also contains one of the most emotive expressions of grief I have ever read.

The characters were wonderful, realistic, identifiable. My two favorites were the Massai mother Simi and Adia a shared daughter. I didn't dislike any of them but felt for these two the most, related to them best. A beautiful combination of making a home in a home that is not your own, and the descriptions of a bautiful but chsngesble Africa. And mothers, mothers everywhere no matter how you became one, whether human or not, mothrrs of fur babies, if you nurture and love, you are valuable.

ARC from Edelweiss.

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting is Africa, mainly Kenya. Having visited Africa a number of times, I often enjoy books which view the locations from the perspective of various characters. This is a character-driven story, focusing on three mothers. It shows how each was shaped by their own background, culture, and early life by distant, neglectful or overbearing mothers, or by childhood abuse and loneliness.

The story focuses on two Western women living in Kenya. Leona, an anthropologist studying the Maasai is living among the tribe. Jane has come to Africa to help conserve elephants and work in an effort to prevent poaching. I suspected that neither were there for the right reasons, but to escape an unpleasant life back home. They soon become adrift in their own emotional problems.

Leona is presented as being cold, and devoid of any desire for long term or fulfilling personal interactions. When to her dismay she becomes an unwed mother, she refuses any relationship with the man responsible, who wishes to help raise her daughter, Aida. Leona fails to bond with the baby daughter and feels apathetic about motherhood. Although understanding her upbringing, I could empathize, but her lack of warmth towards the child was disturbing. She decides to co-parent with Simi, a barren Maasai woman. Childless women are considered bad luck in the Maasai culture, and Simi yearns for a child of her own. She fears being outcast by her husband and by the rest of her community. Soon the child is enjoying her introduction to the Maasai way of life and the love of Simi and the other village women. Her life is torn between the Maasai culture and when she joins Leona in Nairobi,her life amongst the expat community there. Leona tends to neglect Adia and leave the independent daughter to wander the city and outskirts by herself.

Jane is glad to leave her work with the elephants after a frightening encounter with poachers. She marries a man whose career is in overseas government service, which involves moving constantly with husband and young daughter, Grace. She resents the frequent moves and starts isolating herself in the new postings. She dislikes her husband’s promising career and distances herself from him, and finds herself clinging to Grace. Jane is becoming depressed.

Adia and Grace become friends when they are age 12, and in spite of very different home lives become inseparable. At this point, the three mothers and the girls are connected through a dreadful tragedy. I found the story contained much heartbreak and sorrow, with only minor glimpses of any happiness. The resolution hints at healing and a more promising future.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and am recommending it to reader friends. It’s definitely an “illuminating debut”. The author does a skillful job of weaving together the stories of 3 women and various related characters. I love books that transport me far from my everyday life (or in this case, far from the airplane where I read most of the book). I too am always drawn to books set in Africa, especially East Africa and the world of expats, peace Corp and aid workers, etc.

[Bruna Dellatorre · Rating 4 out of 5]

O Sol Mais Brilhante é uma leitura prazerosa. Esse livro conta a história de 3 mulheres diferentes lidando com fardos distintos e que acabam tendo seus caminhos entrelaçados ao longo na narrativa. O que eu mais gostei sobre esse livro é que se passa em países africanos e como eles foram retratados. Toda vez que ela mencionava uma cidade ou algum lugar específico eu pausava a leitura pra pesquisar. Os capítulos se alteranam contando as histórias de cada mulher e aborda temas bem sensíveis desde maternidade indesejada, mutilação feminina em grupos massai até third culture kids, um termo que até então eu nem conhecia. A primeira metade do livro flui muito bem e te instiga bastante enquanto o meio para o final é meio corrido, os acontecimentos parecem atropelados. De qualquer forma, esse romance de estreia traz uma história bem interessante com personagens bastante reais que tentam resolver problemas verdadeiros.

[Up All Night With Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***

The Brightest Sun by Adrienne Benson was the brightest part of my weekend. I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to read this vividly written novel.

Three women living three uniquely different lives find their paths crossing in unexpected ways. Have you ever wondered how your family history, or where you were born affects the life you lead? This book follows three women, and two young girls who navigate the challenges and privileges that their individual lifestyles have provided them.

Leona is an archaeologist who heads to Kenya to live with and observe the Maasai people as soon as she is able to escape her parent’s indulgent lifestyle. An unexpected pregnancy in an unfamiliar world turns Leona’s plans upside down.

Jane traveled to Africa with the goal of saving elephants from poachers, and becomes entangled in the literally deadly lifestyle. Unsure of her ability to live with the dangers her job brings, she finds herself becoming the wife of a traveling diplomat and raising her daughter Grace.

Simi is a barren Massai woman who wants nothing more than to be a mother. She fears if she does not provide her husband with children, he will no longer need her, and where will that leave her?

Grace and Adia are young American girls raised in unconventional conditions. The story is how all these females, young and old impact each other’s lives, whether directly or indirectly as they learn, grow and build relationships.

Upon reading the author’s note at the end when I finished the book, I was so taken with the premise of this story, where it began, and why she wrote it. Learning that she herself lived in Africa for a time, traveled around and created some of the characters from her own experiences made this already beautifully written story come even more to life. I am sure everyone wonders at some point what it feels like to step into someone else’s shoes for a time. What makes the stories of these women so fascinating is many of them came from a life not so different from mine, and they ventured so far from home, with minimal knowledge of what lay ahead. They stepped out on faith, and experienced things many of us may never encounter. Some of it was heartbreaking, some of it was uplifting, but all of it was life altering. What a beautifully written book. An absolute must read!

Five beautifully bright stars!

**Review by Amy, Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night with Books**

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been to Africa twice and read several books set in various parts of Africa (The Poisonwood Bible, Half of a Yellow Sun, Little Bee, Americanah, The Constant Gardener, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Leopard at the Door, The Tears of Dark Water, West With the Night, Circling the Sun and now this) I didn't feel that "The Brightest Sun" captured the essence of Africa as much as others that I have read. The descriptions are not as vivid and I didn't particularly like or relate to the characters. Leona is such a broken person that she can't even pay attention to her daughter, who is craving and needing that attention. Jane is passive and disconnected with almost everything and everyone. Simi was my favorite character. She pushed through her difficulties and maintained her stong commitment to girls' education, preventing FGM (female genital mutilation) and the value of loving-mothering, by raising Adia and, later, other girls, not her own biological daughters.
I didn't dislike the book. I've just read better.

[Threasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written book with lots of good characters. I cannot believe it's a first novel. The book is about three women who live in Africa and their lives. There's not a dull page in the book, and I am very grateful that I won it on goodreads. Let's hope Adrienne Benson is writing her next novel.

[Paula DeBoard]

The Brightest Sun by Adrienne Benson is about belonging—in a country, in a community, in a family. The story weaves between several women: Leona, an anthropologist, who escaped a troubled childhood in Oregon to find herself in a remote village in Kenya; Jane, whose early experiences in Africa were filled with violence at the hands of poachers and who later returns to the country as the wife of an embassy employee; Simi, the Maasai woman who is shunned in her village for her inability have a child; and Adia, the Kenyan-born daughter with United States citizenship who will grow to navigate both worlds.

That probably seems like a lot to swallow, but when the stories do intersect, there’s a nice symmetry between them. A major theme is motherhood, and I appreciate how this topic was handled. As someone who learned at a young age that I wouldn’t be able to have kids, I suppose I’m sensitive to the way motherhood is handled—particularly when it comes to the idea that motherhood is a must, and that women who don’t have children live sad, pitiable lives. Benson doesn’t go there, but she does present a range of reactions to motherhood –from unintended motherhood to losing a child to wanting a child to making amends with your child for mothering mistakes. There’s a lot to unpack here, but it’s well done and an engrossing read.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

[Jorge Henrique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aviso de Gatilho: Uma das personagens era abusada pelo pai quando criança. Não há nenhuma cena gráfica sobre, mas o assunto é tratado no desenvolvimento da história.

Bom, eu me sinto culpado por não ter pegado este livro antes, é uma obra grandiosa e a autora é muito boa no que faz. Adrienne Benson usa a primeira metade do seu romance para desenvolver histórias e personagens que podem ser agrupados em dois grandes núcleos. Aqui, ela constrói todas as camadas necessárias e dá vida e profundidade para as suas criações. Nada do que ela apresenta nesta parte é descartável, ela aproveita cada detalhe da história para a construção do seu final.

Neste livro, assim como grande parte dos últimos livros da TAG, me apresentou uma nova cultura, focado no deserto subsaariano e com pano de fundo na cultura massai, O Sol Mais Brilhante nos apresenta a história de 3 mulheres e o efeito que a maternidade tem sobre elas.

Leona, uma antropóloga americana, luta com traumas de infância, com um pai abusivo e uma mãe negligente, sem ter nenhum modelo parental a quem se espelhar, engravida acidentalmente no Quênia e tem a filha na comunidade massai, onde estava fazendo um estudo. Não planejando ter qualquer ligação com o pai da criança, decide adotar a filha para Simi, uma mulher massai, da qual a cultura patriarcal impõe que as mulheres precisam ter filhos, mas que nunca conseguiu engravidar. Juntas, mas nem tanto, criam a filha de acordo com os conceitos da comunidade.

Em outro núcleo, conhecemos Jane, uma mulher que também foge da família, e vai trabalhar na África, lá ela conhece Paul, um embaixador que sempre precisa estar viajando, e juntos eles têm a filha, Grace. Aqui, a autora expõe os medos da maternidade, todas as inseguranças e incertezas de Jane projetadas em sua filha. Viajando de país a país em curto período de tempo, a família nunca conseguiu se sentir pertencente a algum lugar, e isso surte efeito nas estruturas das relações deles.

Esta grande história com diversas histórias paralelas, com todos os personagens tridimensionais, bem humanizados e muito profundos, me encantou. A maneira como a autora usa de tudo que apresentou para criar um desfecho emocionante faz dela uma escritora brilhante, ela conseguiu juntar e amarrar todas essas pequenas histórias sobre as lutas, incertezas e medos das 3 mães e tudo o que levou elas até a relação que possuem com as filhas, que se tornarão a chave para a ligação dos dois núcleos da trama.

É um livro marcante, uma história muito bonita sobre relações entre mãe e filha, que apresenta um final confortante mesmo com todas as tragédias, que me mostrou uma nova cultura e que eu com certeza irei relembrar por muitos anos.

[Brianne]

Well, I think this was just a mismatch. The book itself wasn't necessarily bad, but I sure didn't enjoy it (I actually resorted to skimming quite a bit). I read this for a book club, and that is what motivated met to finish this one. All that being said, if this sounds interesting to you, go for it!

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mooi boek, heftige onderwerpen. Wel op de beste plek gelezen :)

[Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always drawn to books and movies that take place in Africa.
This heart wrenching novel draws a portrait of Kenya that is easily visualized- bustling Nairobi, dusty Masai villages, the drought stricken Great Rift Valley and a giant baobab tree that provides a shady spot to converse with the living and the dead.
The overarching theme is of being an "unseen" (neglected/ignored/denied/abused) child and how that plays out in adulthood. With the exception of Simi, who is unseen because she is a childless Masai wife.
There's a tremendous amount of loneliness and anguish in this story where the only hope lives in the children of these damaged women and one man.
A notable debut with an excellent afterward by the author explaining how she drew upon her own experience growing up in Africa as a child of an American international aid worker.

[Fernanda Merlo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to be VERY problematic. It reinforced countless racist stereotypes typically associated with African countries. And yes, I know that the author lived a long time “in Africa” (which she mentions as if it were a country), but she is still a white woman daughter of white parents, and the American view of the continent is very clear in the descriptions that she brings. Some points that shocked me with greater intensity:

• The coup d'état in Liberia took place in 1980. Being such a landmark event - and not, as it might seem to the media, an ordinary event - it would be important to mention the date in the book. This, however, does not happen, and the reader is taken to a typically Hollywood scenario involving daylight executions, gratuitous violence, and the notion of the “good savage” (Mohammed’s existence is not explained and the man simply continues cooking for the white woman in the middle of a coup d'état);

• Black magic. African religions are extremely diverse and often complex, and it is unfair to portray Liberia as a kind of dark magic infested place where bad spirits can harm the baby of the white American woman. Also - "Liberia was surrounded with magic" - has Hogwarts changed addresses?;

• At no time do white women in the book even consider black men as possible partners. Jane, by the way, already jumps to the conclusion that they are criminals (the cigarette smell that "identifies" Jane's attackers). However, both have an intense relationship with the first white man they know, even, in Leona's case, without even knowing the person's name, as if their white condition was sufficient to guarantee a kind of “minimum threshold” that they would need;

• The author does not treat the structural problems of the countries mentioned as a form of criticism or as a means of highlighting the lack of infrastructure that many “third world” countries still suffer from today. On the contrary, it creates in the reader an idea that all African countries would be the same - dirty, precarious, corrupt. This is reinforced by the constant descriptions of all countries as hot, dusty, with dirty streets and full of wild animals;

• The notion of the white savior. This is a recurring theme in American films, with the notion that only with the help of white people can the African country be rescued from its situation of inherent misery. A white woman is needed to help the Masai, a white woman is needed to save the elephants. And not a hyper-qualified white person, but any white person, as if any white person is better than the best of the researchers in that country. Locals, by the way, are thrown into inferior positions;

• Baby voodoo? Oh really? No, really? The characters should AT LEAST question and expose the situation as racist, rather than take it for granted. In this case, the author ignores the fact that voodoo is a religion, and not a starting point for a horror film;

• Is Jane afraid to breathe the “African” air? The completely racist approach only gets worse throughout the book, to the point where the character says “Africa is dangerous” (I don't know if she knows, but Africa is not a country);

• The author's treatment of mental illness is criminal. For her, the disease is something shameful, which must be hidden, locked in a dark room to never be seen and not harm the family's happiness. Reading something like this is painful, especially for someone who deals with it. Schizophrenia, by the way, is a disease completely possible to be treated at home. I don't know if this was part of the author's attempt to create “deep” characters - I could get into the theme of how she handles rape / abuse themes wrongly, including traumatic events in the past for white characters as the only trait of personality of these women, but I prefer not to elaborate - but it doesn't work, and the character just seems to be extremely selfish, futile and privileged;

Again, the author does not discuss the above themes. It simply takes for granted, which is the main problem.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly an enjoyable book ... it stirs emotions for many, beyond the TCK (third culture kids) with whom the author identifies. Those who have been adopted, struggled with infertility, survived physically or emotionally abusive childhoods, and those who don’t feel comfortable in their own skins, as well as TCKs. If you’re feeling down or depressed, keep this on the shelf until the sun in your life is brighter, so you can read it with a bit of hope.

[Fábio Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

O livro é realmente de uma sensibilidade incrível. Todos os personagens tem história, passado e relação familiar que a gente começa a entender o psicológico e o comportamento de cada um. Nada fica na superfície.

Eu demorei um pouco pra ler, mas a escrita e a narrativa são bem detalhadas e o livro, na minha opinião, não é muito arrastado como estão dizendo, apesar de alguns capítulos serem bem maçantes. O único defeito é que a Simi apareceu pouco, ela era incrível demais pra ser explorada e eu achei que a autora não deu tanta visibilidade assim pra ela. Teve um final adequado, sem pontos abertos e sem muitos rodeios.

É um livro que te faz refletir muito sobre suas relações familiares e amizades, além de te fazer exercitar a empatia. 5/5

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story grows on the reader slowly, but it becomes achingly beautiful and should not be missed. The characters are as rich and multilayered as the Africa they call home. This one is a rare treat to be savored.

[Pedro Stadtler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eu me vi no final torcendo pra acabar logo, ou seja, eu senti que foi uma leitura arrastada demais. Tem um considerável problema de assimetria das histórias também: você tá doido pra ficar na história de Leona, Simi e Adia e você é jogado pra história chata de Jane.

E vamos de começar por: sim, eu odiei Jane. Após ler algumas reviews, de fato, eu acho que têm problemas em colocar protagonistas brancos nesse continente porque as histórias são contadas a partir desse lugar de fala. O problema é que enquanto a visão de Leona parece suavizada, ou pelo menos eu não vi tantos problemas; a de Jane é extremamente problemática. Ela trata os quenianos (em sua maioria, negros) pior do que ela trata animais. Ela vai lá para defender os elefantes e mostra desprezo ou desgosto com todos os seres humanos que ela interage, exceto quando permeado por um sentimento de culpa. Não é que ela deveria tratar os animais igualmente mal, é que ela deveria francamente rever as prioridades dela. Ela é, portanto, em linhas gerais, preconceituosa. E, embora eu tenha compartilhado a dor dela quando Grace morreu, eu senti fortemente que ela tinha uma relação quase parasitária com a filha pelo fato de que Jane é uma mulher extremamente infeliz.

Na verdade, pra ser franco, eu não sei se até agora eu superei a morte de Grace, especialmente porque ela é relatada a partir do ponto de vista de Adia. É destruidor. Mas pelo menos é esse evento traumático que nos traz para dentro de uma nova realidade. Constrói-se uma nova vida e família para Adia que, francamente, não sei se seriam ideais; mas que traz mais amor e mais carinho. A mãe biológica dela compreende melhor o seu papel como mãe, a mãe adotiva estará sempre presente na manyatta e agora ela tem um pai carinhoso. Leona, querendo ou não, era uma mulher incrível, pois ainda que ela talvez tenha ido pelas questões erradas (ela quis fugir da sua vida nos EUA), ela realmente se preocupava com a manyatta e lutou para garantir melhores condições àquela cultura que nem era a dela. Pode parecer pagar muito pau para uma síndrome de “white savior”, mas Leona não parece agir nunca (ou quase nunca) de forma condescendente e acho que acabou sendo uma ajuda bem vinda (ainda que caiba o adendo de que quem escreveu o livro foi a filha de um assistente social internacional dos EUA).

Outro grande ponto negativo (junto com a questão Jane) é a questão Simi. Ou melhor, talvez a questão Não-Simi porque ela foi a protagonista que efetivamente menos protagonizou. A ausência de Simi, que poderia trazer insights muito mais profundos sobre a não-maternidade na cultura massai, acabou matando um pouco do que poderia ser a parte mais brilhante do livro. Pelo menos, pode-se discutir fortemente sobre seca, culturas nômades tradicionais e etc., mas poderia se falar sobre bem mais. Aliada a questão Jane e ao fato de que com o tempo a história começou a parecer demorar demais, me faz achar o livro bom; mas eu dificilmente recomendaria.

[Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esse é um tipo de livro que eu ainda não tinha me deparado antes. A história do “Sol mais Brilhante” é situada na África Subsaariana e acompanha a jornada de três mulheres - Leona, Simi e Jane - através das responsabilidades, dos desafios e das recompensas da maternidade. Também mostra a vivencia de duas garotas - Adia e Grace - como Third Culture Kids, isto é, crianças que passaram parte dos seus anos de formação longe do país de seus pais.
Tecnicamente, a Adrienne Benson faz um trabalho fantástico de escrita e organização dos capítulos.
Outro ponto que me deixou muito satisfeito com a leitura foi a capacidade da autora em criar personagens que agem como pessoas reais. De verdade, a forma como todos eles funcionam e interagem é muito humano, desde os momentos de conflito até as crises de ansiedade.
Do ponto de vista narrativo, o enredo é contido, mas com uma grande carga emocional. Não digo que é um livro que vai ter fazer chorar. Na realidade, essa leitura traz vários momentos de reflexão sobre as relações familiares, sobre a sensação de pertencimento e, não sei se intencional, sobre o privilégio.
Já sobre um ponto negativo, tenho que registrar o meu desconforto com alguns trechos do livro, já que transmitiram alguns esteriótipos da África e de seu povo. Penso que tenha sido o objetivo da autora, até pelo que falei sobre os personagens que agem e erram como pessoas reais. Mas, de qualquer modo, não gostei de ter que passar por essas partes. Inclusive, notei que algumas reviews também levantaram esse ponto.
Fora isso, essa foi uma leitura interessante e que me fez pensar muito. Recomendo.

[Jenee Rager · Rating 4 out of 5]

The relationship between mother and child is one of the most complicated relationships to describe. "The Brightest Sun" focuses on two mothers in a foreign land raising their daughters. There is a third mother, Simi, whose story is also told, but unfortunately her story is only told in a handful of chapters.

Jane and Leona, the two main mothers in the story start off similarly. They are fresh out of college, ambitious about changing the world, and sent to Africa to help causes close to their heart. By the time their daughters befriend each other, the two women are about as different as can be. Jane is tightly wound, and afraid of the world outside of her doors. Leona is relaxed and has such a hands off approach to parenting that it may be deemed negligent.

The story unfolds at a slow and steady, but beautiful pace. It reminds me of watching a sunrise, and the author should be congratulated for creating such a beautiful piece of work.

[Elizabeth Souto maior]

I just loved the story from beginning to end. A gripping and poignant plotline involving three different women from diverse backgrounds but with so much in common. It literally brought me to tears. The fact that the author chooses to depict motherhood in not such a favourable light struck me the most- how many times do we hear of women who simply break down and get completely desperate when they give birth? We women keep stumbling across many tales concerning motherhood bliss and the utter joy of raising kids but Ms Benson is brave enough to shed realistic light onto it. Very worth reading indeed!

[Nada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the cities and villages of Kenya, The Brightest Sun by Adrienne Benson is about mothers and daughters. It is about three specific women and their relationship to life in Kenya. The emotions - both the joys and the heartbreaks - in this book are universal. The feeling of not fitting in and the need to belong is also a universal one. It is these emotions that make the story of these women such a compelling one.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2018...

Reviewed for NetGalley.

[Bia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well constructed plots, fantastic characters and an unforgettable cultural immersion.
This book made me see Kenya's savanna in a way that moved me. Without ever having stepped in that place, I was able to feel a connection, something I can't really explain. It made me want to escape from my comfort zone.
I only wish that Simi had more space in the story, it seems that the other two women had deeper developments.

[Camila Rezende · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bom, vamos para mais um review e sem surpresa nenhuma, eu estou com dificuldades de classificar esse livro. Para mim, ele é um 4.5!

Acho que ele tem tudo que um livro precisa para ser um best-seller.
1) É envolvente e você consegue ler de uma vez só.
2) É bem escrito, acompanha a perspectiva de mais de um personagem, sem que isso fique confuso ou entediante.
3) Transporta o leitor para uma realidade diferente, fala sobre perda, medo, tristeza...
De maneira geral, é uma experiência interessante, além de abordar a maternidade sobre três perspectivas tão diferentes, no entanto tão enriquecedoras.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everybody in book group liked this book. (I might have liked it a little less) but I liked it for every single character balanced some kind of trauma with overwhelming grace. Stuff happens and we make life changing decisions at those moments that forever alter our roadmap. It's that story.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Brightest Sun is about an isolated American anthropologist named Leona, who gives birth to a baby girl in a remote Maasai village and must decide how she can be a mother, in spite of the traumatic childhood she endured. Strong character development but most of all gorgeous descriptions of Africa. I was drawn in from the very first page.

[Cíntia Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

E no mês das mães me deparo com essa leitura tocante sobre mulheres e maternidade, sobre raízes e asas. Lindo romance, que nos permite viajar um pouco na cultura de alguns países africanos e pelo interior turbulento e paradoxal das mães.

[Sonia VM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een moeizame start maar dan werd ik helemaal meegezogen in dit boek. Aangrijpend verhaal van een moeder en haar dochter, verweven met nog 2 andere straffe vrouwen. Jammer dat er geen ander boek is van deze schrijver.

[B Ware · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story line and well told so you can feel the feel of Africa. My problem with it was the very wordy narrative in the first half was hard to get thru, very very detailed with little dialog. The second half was much more enjoyable, as the characters intertwined and characters interacted with each other then not just within their own lives.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure why I didn’t like this much—it’s well written and the author creates evocative scenes, but I had a hard time connecting with most of the characters.