A Window to the Sun

"A Window to the Sun" is a book that will thoroughly and effortlessly transport you into the colorful, complicated lives of its characters. I can't remember the last time that I felt so emotionally attached to a character that the character's triumphs, losses and emotions became my own. Arizle, the main character of this epic novel, is a courageous woman whose passion for pursuing her idea of happiness not only changes her perception of the concepts of happiness and sacrifice, but changed my own perceptions in the process of my reading the book. I have read a lot of prolific authors and a lot of best-sellers in my life. Although the story contains some elements of forbidden romance and adventure reminiscent of a Danielle Steel novel, it has an emotional resonance and depth that resembles that of The Color Purple (Alice Walker), Siddhartha (Hermann Hesse) and The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho). In detailing Arizle's roller coaster life, and the lives of the four influential men who adore her, I came to love all the main characters (in different ways) and share in their moments of joy and sadness. Wise and loving Arizle, honorable Leumas, romantic Rameda, brilliant but spiteful Marcos, and loyal, sensitive Ricardo... they became members of my family! I would love to meet all of them. Dr. Whatley weaves an intricate and spellbinding tapestry of many delicate strands, including (to name just a few): the rich history, culture and folklore of Brazil in an age of innocence that is gone forever; the faith and fierce determination of the heroine Arizle who makes the most painful decisions in order to make her dreams become reality; the happy and tragic effects that those decisions have on Arizle and those she holds dearest; and Arizle's travels through the capitals of South America and Europe as she rises out of poverty to reach a life of wealth and refinement. Dr. Whatley expertly combines very descriptive narrative, emotionally "true" sounding dialogue (interestingly enough with a flavor that, while sounding modern, is nevertheless reminiscent, so I imagine, of the time period in which the action takes place), and beautiful letters and poetry to reveal the conflicting desires of Arizle's heart. The opening chapter hooked me completely. I was surprised to have the ending of the story be revealed at the story's beginning! The story was so captivating that I had to read the rest there and then! I didn't care that I had to get to work early the next morning. Oh, and the cathartic, final chapter... Dr. Whatley ingeniously recounts some of the main events of the very first chapter but from a different character's perspective using letters sent to and from different characters. That last chapter packs an emotional wallop, casting the first chapter in a new light and forcing me to re-read the book now that I developed a new perspective of my own on the characters. Only after reading the last chapters did I understand