The Strength of the Sun    by Catherine Chidgey Order:  USA  Can Picador, 2005 (2002) Hardcover, Paperback      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth A man lies seriously injured in a hospital in England. A fifteen year-old girl disappeared from her home in New Zealand years before. Another young woman in New Zealand starts a new life on her own. What slender threads could connect them all? In The Strength of the Sun, Catherine Chidgey ties these threads with a gentle knot and serenely tells each individual's story. And she does it well. A good deal of the action takes place in New Zealand, where the author resides. But England and the injured man also take up a lot of space, heightening the interest. The plot slips from the present day to the past and back again without a break in the continuity. The author's first novel, In a Fishbone Church, was nominated for an Orange Prize. If it is as good as this one, I can understand why. I intend to find a copy and have another very enjoyable read. Chidgey tells a compelling story without embroidering it with unnecessary rhetoric. She chooses her words carefully and uses them with finesse and grace. A rare talent. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews