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And Then There Are The Stories
Simon Cole’s novel, And Then There Are the Stories, skillfully merges engaging characters with a backdrop of historical significance, creating a compelling narrative. This sequel to White Cat is not just a continuation but a standalone experience in its own right, accessible to new readers and familiar fans alike. The story revolves around two protagonists, Hugh and Nobomi, who, burdened by their past and the echoes of major global events, embark on a transformative journey through the Drakensberg Mountains. Their individual quests for answers eventually converge, weaving a tapestry of connection and discovery.
Cole’s approach to family saga fiction is noteworthy for its narrative technique. The novel employs varying perspectives, including both first and third-person accounts, to unravel a quiet yet pervasive mystery. This method not only deepens the plot but also enhances the relatability of the characters, drawing readers deeper into their world. The historical context is a significant element of the novel, as Cole’s characters navigate the aftermath of war and segregation. The depiction of historical events and their impact on individuals is handled with a blend of sensitivity and depth, likely to resonate with historical fiction enthusiasts. The intertwining of personal histories with significant moments like post-war Europe and the onset of apartheid in South Africa is particularly effective. Adding another layer to this rich narrative are the author’s notes, historically accurate images, and diary-like narrative excerpts. These elements serve not only as intriguing supplements to the story but also as tools to heighten the sense of realism and urgency in the characters’ journey.
Cole’s prose is marked by an almost effortless elegance, seamlessly connecting the main characters with those they meet along their path. His ability to blend historical depth with poignant moments of revelation makes And Then There Are the Stories: a sequel to White Cat a highly recommendable read for those seeking a novel that is as informative as it is emotionally engaging.
Pages: 229 | ASIN : B0C1HGNJZQ
White Cat – a not entirely fictional mystery
In White Cat: A Not Entirely Fictional Mystery, author Simon Cole masterfully explores the intricate tapestry of a family’s history, weaving a compelling narrative that delves deep into the heart of familial mysteries. This novel stands out as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, tracing the lineage of Barbara’s family through a series of evocative rooms and poignant letters, unraveling their story posthumously following Barbara’s death at 104.
Simon Cole’s narrative is exceptional in its structure and delivery. The dialogue is meticulously crafted to reflect the era, immersing readers in a world where every word resonates with authenticity and depth. The letters exchanged between Barbara, her brother, and Hugh are crafted with such precision and emotional clarity that they transcend the pages, bringing the characters’ inner turmoil and unspoken thoughts to life.
The novel’s strength lies in its ability to connect readers across time. Despite the historical setting, there is a universal relatability in the characters’ experiences, particularly in Barbara’s inner conflicts and her intricate relationship with Hugh. Cole’s writing style is a standout feature, maintaining a consistent and believable voice that aligns seamlessly with the time period.
White Cat: A Not Entirely Fictional Mystery contains immersive storytelling, rich character development, and a seamless blend of mystery and historical fiction. Simon Cole demonstrates a profound understanding of the genre, promising a bright future in historical fiction with this captivating and thought-provoking novel.
Pages: 272 | ASIN : B0BK775G5N
The Thread Of Life
White Cat unveils the intricate life of a centenarian through letters and artifacts, weaving a tapestry of history, emotion, and mystery across eras like World War 2 and the approach of apartheid-era South Africa. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Initially, a family connection made it important: Barbara was my aunt and the last of her generation, and, during her last years, shared with me a lot of family history and anecdotal material which, I suspected, no other family member had been aware of. The instigation for the actual writing was her disclosure of her extra-marital relations with the army spy whom I have called Hugh in the book. In fact, she refused to tell me his real name, which I put down to the unwavering wartime sense of duty of her generation. She suffered for this relationship and it became important to me to witness to the resilience and courage – evidenced also by her own wartime actions – of the person she was. Then my therapist persona jumped in and I realised that I had the material for a favourite theme of mine, namely, the passage of our lives through our heredity mixed with our contacts with others, the strands from which the thread of life is spun.
Can you elaborate on the real events that inspired “White Cat” and how you balanced historical accuracy with creative storytelling?
Wars, in this case, the Boer War in South Africa and World War 2, provide grand tableaux which, if we are not careful, distract us from the reality that it is the lives of the people which make up the picture. I knew that my grandfather lost a leg in an engagement in the Boer War, that a granduncle drowned in South Africa in undocumented circumstances and was ‘disappeared’ by his family, and that Barbara’s paramour, the military spy, vanished in Vienna. The great events provided a stage on which to play this out, but the real drama was about the lives of individuals. I had considerable material from my firsthand acquaintance with many of the individuals. I also had family anecdotal evidence of the personalities of the generation before, enough to be able to ‘write back’ some family traits which I knew of from my own day. So the narrative of the story grew also from what I could believe or impute for the characters concerned. This formula, such as it was, gave me enough scope for creativity in storytelling. The one enigma was Harry, my granduncle, and, whilst I offer a therapist perspective on his death, I leave it for the reader to decide.
The book’s narrative structure, weaving together elements of historical fiction, memoir, and mystery, is unique. What challenges did you face in crafting this multi-layered story, and how did you overcome them?
This was a challenge. I knew how I was going to start and I knew where the book was going to end. In fact, I wrote the final chapter not long after the first and I changed it very little. I knew I had two main storylines, the love story of Barbara and Hugh, and the tragedies of the family in South Africa: they were roughly 50 years and 10,000 miles apart. That in itself intrigued me. It was the letters that gave me the answer. Within my cast of characters over four generations, there were enough people who either did, because I had some letters, or plausibly could have, written to each other across the generations, for this to provide the continuity and create for Barbara the pivotal role in the overall drama.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
The first sequel to White Cat is already out. It is called And Then There Are The Stories. It follows the fortunes of Hugh and Nobomi, starting in Vienna and then moving back to South Africa, ending in the Drakensberg mountains on the border between Eastern Cape and Lesotho. It is largely fictional – I was unable to find any trace of a likely Hugh in the National Archives once he moved from his military unit to the FSS. But there is one scene in Vienna for which I found sufficient family material to make possible a reconstruction. I have adopted a different format in this sequel, the main storyline being carried by the accounts given by a series of ‘outside’ characters, whose lives become involved in different ways.
I am now working on the third and final sequel, which is more or less present-day, though with allusions to some material in White Cat, as well as to the two main characters of the first sequel. The two figurehead names of White Cat reappear, though they might not be related to their namesakes there, but they continue my theme of the thread of life. This final sequel is called River.
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Website | www.life-counselling.co.uk
This family saga begins at an end, with the death of Barbara at 104, the last of her generation, and the end of an era. She was the custodian of memories and memorabilia from four generations – her larger-than-life grandfather converted by a Quaker nurse, a father in the Boer War in South Africa, an uncle who mysteriously drowned in the Indian Ocean, his African girl-friend and the child he never saw, Barbara’s own paramour a spy in post-war occupied Vienna…and her own heroism in that war.
The reader passes through the abandoned rooms of her house, as the story unfolds by way of narrative and letters which create an immediacy, even intimacy, with the various players in the drama.
“… a confusion of sets and settings when the action moved, sometimes you could see it but sometimes it was offstage and reported, and then you have to trust the word passed down across the terraces of history, the hardships, the joys, the resentments, the hopes, the terror, the humanity, the resilience… and somewhere back along the way, still tolling, the bourdon bell which marked the tide of war.”
The White Cat? – no, six in all, and a question left unanswered.
White Cat – a Not Entirely Fictional Mystery
White Cat by Simon Cole is an in-depth, cleverly written story of specific people, places, and events during several monumental historical times, including South Africa during the early 1900s and years earlier, during World War 2. The story is narrated through a series of letters and items discovered in Barbara’s home following her death and the review of her personal belongings. As each figurine, letter, or morsel of the past is unfolded, a new piece of her life is told, as if it had just occurred or is happening in the present.
I enjoyed reading this book, mainly how the author captures the historical reality through the experiences of one person and the people and events she interacts with in her life. Each letter is like an old photograph or glimpse into the past, animated through descriptive experiences, fashion, economic realities, and the overall atmosphere from the era. As these specific writings, narrated with personal, emotional impact, the world plunges into a second world war, the apartheid in South Africa, and other major, life-changing events.
This book is ideal for anyone who’s a fan of historical fiction, biographies, and memoirs, as this story weaves a little of each with a series of unique smaller tales. I found that the way each element of Barbara’s life, and the eras she lived through, were presented like pieces of a puzzle that fit together, giving the reader and the discovery of her artifacts a mystery to solve. It’s a gripping story that highlights the serious nature of the time, with a healthy dose of one individual’s perspective.
White Cat by Simon Cole is a riveting story that unfolds from the home of a newly deceased centenarian and the incredible life she lived and shared with others. It’s a fascinating story inspired by actual events and a page-turning read for anyone intrigued with history.
Pages: 272 | ASIN: B0BK775G5N
LITERARY TITAN 