[JDPUB: 77] new book: FLASHES IN THE NIGHT - Helen Watson

Flashes in the Night by Helen Watson has been published by Just Done R160

 

Kitty and Leo are parted shortly after their engagement and their stories are traced as they work and travel in Africa during the momentous era when she shakes off Colonial Rule. They and the Colonials they meet try to make sense of what, to them, is the inexplicable behaviour of the British policy makers and finally begin to see it in some sort of perspective. The story covers rural England, Kenya, Rhodesia and South Africa.

Who is the lady in the russet dress, and what is her significance?

 

Helen Watson migrated as a child with her family from England to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) during the post-war exodus. She returned to England to train as a physiotherapist, and then went back to Africa, where she lived and worked until her retirement. The story is very loosely based on her own experiences. She lives in Cape Town where she shares a house with two ginger cats who roamed in and out of the narrative and inspired parts of it.

 

This is a novel written from a colonialist perspective. “I have told the Truth in this story as it appeared to me, then and now, and I believe that there are many people for whom it still largely holds true. It is the Truth as seen through the views and perceptions of the Colonials in Africa during the time span of the story” - Helen Watson

 

EXCERPT:

“April 1955

Gerry the drummer enjoyed watching the dancers at the Saturday night hops. How many romances had he watched begin and flourish over the years? How often had they played a special number – usually a waltz - when a young couple whose courtship he had followed from its tentative beginnings became engaged? It was fascinating. He could almost tell what each said to the other as they either danced or sat out and talked.

Take that young couple now. He had seen her enter the hall, and been struck by her air of vulnerability. The russet dress admirably complemented her red-gold hair and showed off her slim figure; he had a ginger cat the same colours….”

 

“Doris hummed happily as she bustled around the kitchen. The early morning chores were finished, and she was about to start preparing lunch for George. He had been out since first light, coming in briefly for a quick breakfast before going back out to the fields. July was a busy time of the year: haymaking, sheep shearing, milking, cleaning out the byre, working on the berry crops and the vegetable garden. It never stopped. But it was their life, and neither could imagine any other. She would make some tea – the postman was due any minute, and perhaps he would have a letter from Leo. It was late this week, but she wasn’t unduly worried. He had said that the postal service was sometimes a bit erratic out there.

She loved his letters – they were so interesting, so full of descriptions of Kenya. He was in a town called Nanyuki. She hadn’t been able to find it on the map, so it must be a small place. He seemed to be enjoying himself: the farmers were so friendly, inviting them in, and throwing parties for them. He had seen a lot of wild animals, with wonderful sounding names: Thomson’s Gazelle, which he referred to as Tommies, kudu, impala, waterbuck…”

                                         

FICTION: Historical Novel, 344 pages

Copies of Flashes in the Night can be ordered online http://www.justdone.co.za

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If you have any problems contact: John 083 3888 290   Fax 086 505 2478 or  publish@justdone.co.za

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International orders may be placed via http://www.lulu.com/content/2158758

 

 

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