The Storyline
Set in the early 1970s, I saw a sunbird tells the story of seven-year-old Rohini who longs to live in Sri Lanka again with her grandparents and ayah. For her, it's a country where even monsoon days end with rainbows that stretch across the sky. On one holiday there, she tries to make her dream come true by proving to her parents she can take care of herself, so they can see it is safe to return for good.
The novel follows her comical efforts to grow up and find solutions to problems that God and the adults can't resolve. Because it's written mostly from a child's perspective, it touches on but does not attempt to explore the racial tensions in depth.
Also included in the storyline is the plight of the Veddhas, the little-known aboriginal race in Sri Lanka whose hunter-gatherer lifestyle is on the verge of extinction. We hear about them from both Rohini and an uncle's point of view.
The novel follows her comical efforts to grow up and find solutions to problems that God and the adults can't resolve. Because it's written mostly from a child's perspective, it touches on but does not attempt to explore the racial tensions in depth.
Also included in the storyline is the plight of the Veddhas, the little-known aboriginal race in Sri Lanka whose hunter-gatherer lifestyle is on the verge of extinction. We hear about them from both Rohini and an uncle's point of view.
Reviews
The quotes below come from independent reviewers, workshops and other writers.
"Set in the early 1970s, I saw a sunbird is a witty and amusing account of a British-Sri Lankan child on a visit to family in Colombo. Engagingly written and a delight to read, it brings to life the exotic setting of that beautiful country."
"Rohini is a brilliant character and she is realistic. Renuka David really allows the reader to get into the young girl's mind. The other thing is I do believe the author knows Sri Lanka, and that comes across in the story."
"A child expressing her love for a troubled country makes for compulsive reading."
"I can sympathise with Rohini; we have all had places we loved as children, and her lovely and innocent personality shines through on every line."
"Renuka David captures the child's voice exactly and gives information about a Sri Lankan family in a charming way."
"I laughed and cried my way through the novel. I also learned about Veddhas and it saddens me that they will probably lose their traditional lifestyle."
"I've never been to Sri Lanka but after reading this, feel as if I've been there. I can see the rows of huts with tin roofs and feel the warm bottles of Fanta in my hand."
"Captures your heart and interest immediately and never lets go. Lovely story and it made me feel like I knew Sri Lanka, the people and their culture."
"Set in the early 1970s, I saw a sunbird is a witty and amusing account of a British-Sri Lankan child on a visit to family in Colombo. Engagingly written and a delight to read, it brings to life the exotic setting of that beautiful country."
"Rohini is a brilliant character and she is realistic. Renuka David really allows the reader to get into the young girl's mind. The other thing is I do believe the author knows Sri Lanka, and that comes across in the story."
"A child expressing her love for a troubled country makes for compulsive reading."
"I can sympathise with Rohini; we have all had places we loved as children, and her lovely and innocent personality shines through on every line."
"Renuka David captures the child's voice exactly and gives information about a Sri Lankan family in a charming way."
"I laughed and cried my way through the novel. I also learned about Veddhas and it saddens me that they will probably lose their traditional lifestyle."
"I've never been to Sri Lanka but after reading this, feel as if I've been there. I can see the rows of huts with tin roofs and feel the warm bottles of Fanta in my hand."
"Captures your heart and interest immediately and never lets go. Lovely story and it made me feel like I knew Sri Lanka, the people and their culture."
Publication
Originally scheduled for release in late 2012, the novel was held back until 9 August 2013, International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. By August 2013, it should be available globally at reasonable prices, including shipping. Please contact us through the form on this site if this isn't so and we will investigate.
The opening will also appear in a CCWC anthology being published Autumn 2013, titled, "Collages."
The opening will also appear in a CCWC anthology being published Autumn 2013, titled, "Collages."
About the Author
There's usually a picture of the author but let me tell you a bit about myself instead. What do I do when I'm not writing novels? I write screenplays and short stories and dabble in poetry. I also go on safari when I can. For my day job, I count beans. Recently, I've been working with charities and the more I do for them, the more I wish I had specialised in that field when I left university, but that's the way it goes.