Book Jacket

 

rank 5445
word count 36604
date submitted 08.06.2011
date updated 04.08.2011
genres: Young Adult, Biography, Travel, Com...
classification: universal
complete

White Bird Under the Sun

Pat Stevens

White Bird Under the Sun is the charming story of an idyllic African boyhood.

 

White Bird Under the Sun is the story of an idyllic African boyhood, the author takes you on a journey through Africa that will warm your heart, as you share with him the joy and travails of childhood. Although based on the authors own upbringing, the book is not an autobiography but rather a passage, where the author shares with you the wonder of Africa as seen through the eyes of a young boy. The story starts right in the womb, recounts the early years in Johannesburg, then the family travel to cowboy country Northern Rhodesia. There is gritty realism in the story, as the white bird matches himself against his formidable sisters, yet through his journey he is supported always by loyal Twiny. This is not a tale of high adventure or romantic love, but the lifetime memories that are engendered, when your first Tiger Fish kicks at your line or your first buck lies dead at your feet. This book describes the deep wonder you feel when you first set eyes on the Victoria Falls, or watch a fish eagle swoop down on the Zambezi river, travel with the white bird and share the unforgettable African memories.

 
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tags

africa, johannesburg, kitwe, northern rhodesia

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6 comments

 

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Pat Stevens wrote 225 days ago

I'm busy adding two chapters to White Bird Under The Sun, to drive the word count up to 50,000 which will make the book eligible for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, which wins you professional editing and marketing services through a book contract with Penguin.

Pat Stevens wrote 300 days ago


REVIEW BY TWINY

The first three chapters are funny and entertaining, although the White Bird’s tongue-in-cheek inflated opinion of himself, is perhaps a bit overdone. From the Great Trek onwards the descriptions are hauntingly evocative, it totally transports me back to those wonderful years in Northern Rhodesia, this is the mark of a great writer so well done for a really good read.

I hate it when I read a book and quite unexpectedly it comes to an end, leaving one frustrated because somehow you feel cheated, it feels as though you were taken on a ride which suddenly ends before you reach your destination. I did not feel this way with this book, somehow the ending seemed to encapsulate the whole story and yes, whilst there is feeling of satisfaction there is also an air of expectancy for a sequel.

Pat Stevens wrote 341 days ago

Thanks for the kind words Jayne, I'm in South Africa at the moment, and will dig up more memories.

Jayne Lind wrote 344 days ago

Fantastic writing from an obviously very talented writer. Your powers of description are something I envy!! I'm sure this book will rise up to the top soon. Best of luck - Jayne (The President's Wife is on Prozac).

Pat Stevens wrote 349 days ago

Thanks for the comment Susan, it’s difficult for writers to notice these things in their own works, and it will be really useful for readers. If the Womb begins to bore them, then skip it and get on with the rest of the book, as you say there’s plenty there and it’s an interesting read.

susanbrauner wrote 350 days ago

Dear Pat, I read the first two chapters and personally, I would remove the Womb and start right in with the story. I had to force myself to finish the Womb, and I am glad I did. You have an interesting story and it will be an enjoyable read.

Susan
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