Father and son James and Jonno embark on a lifetime trip to the mountainous villages of the Peruvian Andes. While guided by different motivations, they are united by the spirit of adventure. When disaster strikes, they are forced to draw deep into their hearts and face not only the unforgiving mountains, but their own inner landscapes as well.
Giles Dawnay is a 40 yr old GP trainee from Hereford, UK. He came into the medical world later on in life having done an English Degree and then working and travelling in Latin America, Africa and the South Pacific until he was 27. It was on these adventures that he discovered his fascination for human nature and the myriad of ways our lives can play out. Since starting practicing as a doctor he has found writing poetry as a great way to wrestle with and attempt to make sense of what comes his way on a daily basis. He wrote his first book - Brushstrokes- after having a small stroke when he was 34. The act of writing was as healing as it was a chance to share his story, for the first time Hemmingway's famous words about how to write really made sense to him- 'just sit at the typewriter and bleed.' His first published novel 'The Rising of the Son' was with Arkbound in 2020. For more info please see www.gilesdawnay.com
"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. 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 ones core values are." -- Elle