Summertime Publishing
An enthralling, fresh and lively novel, which captures brilliantly the lives of Expats, and the highs and lows of living abroad…Will life ever be the same for expats? If you have ever been curious as to what goes on behind the closed doors of the expatriate brigade, Sunshine Soup will open your eyes. And without doubt, anyone who has been an expat, is going to be an expat or wants to be an expat should read this now! It’s a fresh and lively novel, which captures brilliantly the lives of expats, new and experienced and the highs and lows of living abroad.
At times poignant, at times twinkling with humour, author, Jo Parfitt, takes us on Maya’s journey to Dubai from her hometown of Stamford, UK. We follow Maya through her initiation into expatland where she meets Barb, who knows all the ropes but who has a secret she longs to share. Anyone familiar with ‘trailing spouse’ territory will instantly identify with Barb – keep a hanky at the ready for those moments we have all shared.
Both women face unexpected difficulties and challenges and the reader becomes part of the sorority that surrounds these sympathetic characters. As well as the intrigue and touch of romance, Parfitt treats the themes of loss and identity sensitively and there is another appealing element:
Maya is a cook and Jo shares with us the delicious recipes that Maya prepares in an extra section at the back of the book – plus there is extra material for reading groups. Sunshine Soup is a great gift as well as a great read, especially for the ‘global’ minded. Think Joanne Harris in Arabia maybe?
by Jae De Wylde
Half Dutch, Jae De Wylde is a linguist and has lived in France, Germany, Spain and Dubai. Jae is author of The Thinking Tank (Summertime Publishing). Set in Spain and 1970s London, Sarah is driven to unearth family secrets to save her relationship with her daughter, Rebekah – a gripping, suspenseful and page-turning novel, literary but never difficult.
