Fiction Review

The Sun By Night, a novel
by Benjamin Kwakye
ISBN-10: 1592213502
Review by Heather Froeschl

Do we really ever know the depths of our interactions with those around us? How deeply do we affect the lives of our acquaintances, neighbors, co-workers, or our prostitutes? In Benjamin Kwakye's novel, "The Sun by Night," that influence is examined in great detail though never quite face to face. The subtleties of human interactions are told from multiple points of view.

The life of a prostitute surely isn't easy but the reasons behind the action is often much more difficult to bear. This affects the mind in interesting ways as one main character explains in the most unique fashion I have witnessed in a novel. When her friend is murdered she becomes very wary and takes precautions to guard her own life. Her double life is in jeopardy though and she must constantly be cautious of revealing too much. The circle of characters and stories expands as her ex-husband tells his own tale, as well as those of everyone around him - he is a reporter after all. His words get him thrown in jail as the government is under a coup and political change is running rampant. Politicians and priests get involved in the story, the rich and the poor alike, the young children and the elder parents. All have a portion of the story to tell and it all comes together during the trial for the second prostitute murder victim.

This book is unique and intriguing, passionately told and a little confusing. I very much enjoyed unraveling the tale as it was spelled out in front of me. The examination of the human factor is very well done; the description of political unrest in Africa perfectly executed. Watch for more from this award-winning author!