title: The Strength of the Sun: A Novel
author:  Catherine Chidgey 
description: In this spellbinding take on "six degrees of separation" (originally published as Golden Deeds in the writer's native New Zealand), Chidgey conducts a symphony of crossed destinies with sophistication and compassion. Intertwining several themes the distance between strangers, the intimacy of lovers, the endurance of memory she follows the fates of seemingly unconnected characters. Colette, a New Zealand college student leaving her broken home for the first time, begins receiving mysterious letters from the Friends of Patrick Mercer in England. They inform her of Patrick's slow progress after a near-fatal car crash. She has no idea who Patrick is, but she's curious and awaits each letter with eager anticipation. Meanwhile, Patrick, in his coma, recalls his childhood dreams and disappointments and his budding interest in medieval manuscripts, which eventually become his life's work. Back in New Zealand, Colette now baby-sits for the young son of Malcolm and Ruth Pearse, who are trying to continue their shattered lives several years after the unsolved disappearance of their teenage daughter, Laura. Chidgey strings together her diverse characters and crisscrossing plot lines with deft economy, building a mesmerizing narrative that's capped by an ingenious twist. Chidgey's first novel, In a Fishbone Church, was nominated for the Orange Prize; this intensely imagined narrative should also win critical raves. (Mar. 1)Forecast: A blurb from Nick Hornby will catch the attention of readers on the lookout for fresh talent. <br />Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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  > CATHERINE
  
  > A. J. Hollingsworth
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  > To my wife. My sun amongst the clouds.
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Other Novels by the Author:
  
    
  
    
  
  The Gold Hard Truth
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  > Chapter 1
  
  It was Saturday morning and there would be no alarm today. The alcohol
  consumed the previous night was laying heavy on her senses, as the sunlight
  exploded through the bedroom window arousing her in an unfamiliar haziness. It
  forced her eyes open, blinding them instantly from the light of her
  surroundings. She snuggled deeper into her luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets
  wishing to block herself away from consciousness and return to a deep pleasant
  sleep.
  
  Her eyes began to close just seconds before she heard footsteps exploding like
  a thunder storm on the bare wooden stairs. It was too late now, his voice
  would soon enough wake her and he would not leave her easily either. Not that
  she could be mad or blame him, today was their sixth year wedding anniversary
  and he was ex