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 brothers keep strong through all the adversity of their lives by stories they tell each other when they go to sleep at night. Sebastian utilizes the sun as the protagonist that connects the scenarios in the stories he tells his brother every night. The sun character is powerful, it has the ability to push itself through from one side of the planet to the other and able to go through the mouth of a volcano to make the night a day again. The narratives are rich in wisdom and color, a contrast from their real life. The family is later exposed to a tragic incident that tests everyone’s strengths. The book culminates with a reflection in the author’s own words bringing closure to the challenges he was exposed to in his youth in addition to considering the meaning of all he learned from his brother.
About the Author: E.H. de la Espriella
E.H. de la Espriella was born and raised in Panama. He is an award-winning author and designer working as a design and branding creative leader. He is also a fine artist working in oils, collage, drawing, and photography. Mr. de la Espriella lives in Orlando, Florida with his family. Mr. de la Espriella has written his first book, SUN NIGHT, a creative memoir, a salute to his childhood years growing up in Panama with his brother. His book has already been recognized with a President's Book Award by the Florida Authors and Publishers Association in August 2018.
READERS' FAVORITE FIVE STAR REVIEW Reviewed By A. L. Peevey for Readers' Favorite 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!
