Think of riding in South Africa

 

The amazing sound of crickets slowed down

 

The sounds of crickets might have been slowed down and then played on a keyboard to sculpt them into music but I love the sound of crickets. I think the photo might be of a grasshopper. 

Paul Trembling's review of Ride The Wings of Morning

Sophie Neville went out to Africa for health reasons. She found what she was looking for - her health improved - but that's not the story here. The story is what else she found: a land full of extraordinary beauty, incredible characters (some of them human), serious danger and enormous fun. It's structured as a series of letters to her sisters back in the UK or other parts of Europe, which gives it a great sense of 'immediacy.'

Paul goes on to write:

Her adventures - and misadventures! - are recorded as they happened, or shortly afterwards and that comes across very strongly. As a counterpoint, she also includes the letters she in turn received from her sisters and other family members. There’s a great sense of family, of connection over the miles, as her exciting life is compared to the less exotic but sometimes just as exciting lives back in England.

Neville is a very fluid writer. Her words flow smoothly off the page and into the readers mind, bringing with them powerful images of African scenery, of wildlife and human life. Sometimes funny, sometimes terribly sad, sometimes almost surreal! One of my favourite passages is where, out in the middle of a vast salt pan in the moonlight, she comes across a fire - and next to it a drinks table (with ice and lemon slices) and another table laid for dinner, with silver cutlery, linen napkins and a chicken tikka! All brought out into the middle of nowhere for her and her companion.

These events took place in a time of social and political changes, some of them violent, and in countries where natural beauty runs alongside human poverty and terrible sadness (such as with the AIDS epidemic). Neville does not dwell on these things, they aren’t her main focus, but they are as much part of her life in Africa as charging rhinoceros, venomous snakes and friends weddings. It all makes for a great richness of shared experiences.

It is also well illustrated by lots of drawings and pictures - presumably the authors own, as she is, along with her many other talents, an artist - unfortunately in black and white, which may lose something, but which are still very effective and which help the reader to see Africa as she saw it.

Recent screenwriting awards for THE MEETING HOUSE

Sophie Neville has won a number of awards for her feature length screenplay THE MEETING HOUSE based on the true story of an African serviceman's adventures during WWII.

Sophie will originally commissioned to write the script by Dashwood Films. 

Sadly the producer died shortly after being diagnosed with breast cancer 

but the concept was optioned by George Marshall.

The rights have now returned to the writer, Sophie Neville

Years of historical research are now bearing fruit.

The compelling story is calling out to be produced

The classic drama is set in Tanzania, Burma and Japan

Winning so many writing awards is exceptional.

They testify to the strength of the story and the hard work that has gone into setting it down on the page.

 

Author Sophie Neville is a Finalist in the Page Turner Writing Awards

 

Sophie Neville has been working on a novel based on an exceptional true story from WWII that has just reached the finals in the Page Turner Writing Awards

This unpublished historical novel is set in Tanganyika, Burma and Japan, so should make a good holiday read for those who love to travel.

An interview with author Sophie Neville

 

Sophie Neville interviewed on Your Take

Think of Riding in Southern Botswana

Sophie Neville is hoping to take a group riding through Mashutu Game Reserve as soon as travel opens up. Here's something to look forward to: