Author’s Note for Sun on Your Back
Some stories demand to be told. This is one of them.
When I embarked on writing Sun on Your Back, I was stepping into uncharted territory. I had a background in crafting psychological assessments and research reports, but I’d never written a novel before. To bridge this gap, I dedicated a year to an online course, immersing myself in the art of storytelling and novel writing.
This journey was not just about learning the craft; it was deeply personal. While the characters in this book are fictitious, their stories are genuine, drawn from the shadows of our society. I spent five years researching old cases, delving into the complexities of domestic abuse, family trauma, and survival. This extensive research was both harrowing and enlightening, shaping the narrative you hold in your hands.
At its core, this novel is Diara’s journey—a woman confronting the ghosts of her past while striving to forge a future. It’s a story about justice, family loyalty, and the arduous path to healing. Through Diara’s eyes, I hope to shed light on the resilience of survivors and the intricate, often painful realities they navigate.
For those seeking a deeper understanding, André’s Story offers an unfiltered look into the making of a monster—Diara’s father. This offshoot novella explores the traumas, influences, and choices that moulded him into the man who ultimately shattered his family. While Sun on Your Back is about survival, André’s Story delves into the origins of harm—a dark but necessary exploration.
I hope Sun on Your Back resonates with those who have endured pain and those striving to comprehend it. May it serve as a reminder that silence perpetuates suffering, but awareness fosters change.
Thank you for reading. Your support means everything. If this book speaks to you, I would love to hear your thoughts.
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Introduction to the Prologue:
Every family has secrets. Some are buried deep, others lie just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to rise. In Sun on Your Back, the prologue draws you into a confession that shatters everything Diara thought she knew. It is not just the start of a story—it’s the undoing of a legacy. With themes of betrayal, trauma, and the courage to seek truth, this is where the unraveling begins.
5-Star Review from Reader Views
Sun on Your Back received a 5-star rating from Reader Views. Here is the full review by Ada Jenkins.
Sun on Your Back by Naira Khan opened my eyes about unfair legal systems, where women and children who have suffered from domestic and sexual violence are treated appallingly. When Diara Kruger receives a phone call from her sister, who lives in Zimbabwe, she discovers her father is dead. What’s more, her mother, Sophia, has confessed to his murder. Will she be able to confront old ghosts and navigate an unfair legal system to free her?
I think the author’s background as a psychologist who has worked with women and kids affected by domestic and sexual violence adds a strong element of authenticity to the plot. Sophia Kruger’s character is an excellent case in point. She refuses to make a statement in her own defense and is ill-equipped when it comes to understanding the Zimbabwean legal system, because her husband had never prepared her for life outside his controlling influence: “Andre had tried to disempower her as much as possible.” Despite putting up with regular beatings, she’s still in denial even after his death, blaming herself for his violent outbursts. Sounds unbelievable, right?
However, Naira Khan goes on to show us that this is often the reality of how battered women think, especially in Zimbabwe, a society that strongly upholds patriarchal structures. I learned through Sophia’s character just how impossible it is to break free. Her fierce loyalty to a man who abused her so horribly did, at times, make for difficult reading. I felt sorry for her and frustrated, too, both by the misogynistic societal structure that put her in a powerless position and her own fierce loyalty to an abhorrent man who has harmed her family so irrevocably.
One of the key scenes in the story is Sophia’s trial. Here, the author creates truly gripping scenes. As a reader, I felt a broad spectrum of emotions, which ranged from anger to compassion. Since Sophia refuses to make a statement, a number of other witnesses, professionals, and even Diara herself give evidence.
At one point, a psychologist provides a written report, its contents skillfully interwoven into the narrative. I relished this insightful information that revealed Sophia’s feelings, wanting to hear what was going on inside her mind. For instance, the report tells us that she interpreted Andre’s possessiveness as him wanting her “all to himself,” rather than an attempt to exert control. When Diara is called to give evidence, what she said helped me to better understand the challenges faced by victims of sexual violence, in terms of living their life in the aftermath of such a harrowing experience: “I feel like a soiled, discarded rag.”
For me, what made Naira Khan’s Sun on Your Back addictive reading was the all-too-real authenticity of the characters, whose perspectives on sexual and domestic violence made for an emotionally-charged plot. I can see fans of women’s fiction and psychological thrillers really enjoying this book. The challenges of breaking the cycle of violence toward women and kids make this story as relevant as it is psychologically on-point.
— Reader Views
Reviews
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Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free e-copy of André’s Story—a deep, thorough analysis how Diara’s father, André, developed his proclivities and the traumas that shaped him. This short but powerful story uncovers the dark origins behind Sun on Your Back.
