Just a quick note to say thank you for clicking on my book! And explain some of the inspirations for the work that may be of interest if you enjoy it.
The story is most heavily influenced by John Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga, which is now better known for its television adaptations than the novels which they are adapted from. Other important influences include the novels of LM Montgomery, My Brilliant Career by (Stella) Miles Franklin, and Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay. These are more stylistic and locational influences, whereas Galsworthy's work is a direct inspiration for the plot.
Some characters in this work are based on historical figures of the time; their names have not been changed but any resemblance they may bear to these actual figures is coincidental. The plot as a whole has several correlations with my own family history, though many liberties have been taken for the sake of fiction.
The title of the novel is taken from the song "The Sun Is Often Out" by the British artist Patrick Wolf. There are various references to this song, and to others from his albums throughout the novel.
All comments are very much appreciated, and if any glaring historical errors leap out at you, please do let me know.
--MPL
YOU ARE READING
The Sun Is Often Out
Historical FictionA family saga spanning seventy years and three continents - from 19th century colonial Australia to the Bloomsbury set in London, to tumultuous Hong Kong before WWII. Across three generations of women, the conflict between honour and duty repeats it...
