Q&A With Angela Shupe 

I recently finished a stunning historical fiction debut novel In The Light of the Sun by Angela Shupe. I’m also honored to be doing this Q&A with Angela. In The Light of the Sun is available now, wherever you get your books! 

Q: Welcome to Book Notions Angela! For those who haven’t read the book, would you please give a brief description of In The Light of the Sun? 

A: In The Light of the Sun is a dual narrative novel that centers on two sisters, both aspiring sopranos, Caramina and Rosa Grassi. Caramina, the younger of the two, is getting closer to going to Italy to voice train, when the Japanese bomb the US airbases near her home in the Philippines. Forced to flee, she and her family seek refuge at her aunt and uncle’s farm in the mountainous jungles of Luzon for the duration of the war. Caramina not only has to overcome her fear in order to survive, but also to help protect her beloved family. 

At the same time, Rosa is in Italy with their nonna, a former soprano, and is finishing up her studies at conservatory. Rosa is soon to debut as a professional soprano in the opulent but turbulent world of Florentine opera under Mussolini and his henchmen, the Blackshirts. But when Germany declares war and the Nazis march on the city, Rosa begins to suspect those closest to her are keeping secrets and questions if she should join the resistance in the fight against Duce and the Germans. Before the war ends, she’ll be faced with the most difficult decision of her life, one that could be a life and death decision for the one she loves the most.

In The Light of the Sun is inspired by my mom’s family’s story, as she grew up in and experienced the war in the Philippines, while one of her older sisters was voice-training in Italy when the war broke out. A story of sisterhood, hope, and the enduring power of music to uplift the human spirit—even in the darkest of times.

Q: Some of your family history was used to research and write In The Light of the Sun. How long did it take you to research and write the book? Did you make trips to both Italy and The Philippines? 

A: As a child, I was captivated by the stories told by my mom and aunts about their lives in the Philippines before, during, and after the war, along with my aunt, who voice-trained in Italy with their Nonna. 

Sadly, my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and suffered with it for many years. During this time, I felt an urgency to understand more about her life. So, in 2012, I began researching. I interviewed my aunts and godmother and delved into many resources. I didn’t start writing until the end of 2015. Writing the first draft took about a year. I researched up until that point and continued as I wrote. I’ve been fortunate to visit Italy several times, which was helpful as I wrote the Italian narrative. I’ve never visited the Philippines but would love to one day.

For more information on my research, please visit my website.

Q: What are lessons you hope readers takeaway from reading In The Light of the Sun? 

A: I hope readers walk away with a new understanding about what happened in the Philippines during the war, as it was so life-altering for the Filipino people, especially Filipinas. 

I also hope the story engenders a sense of empathy and compassion in readers for those who have gone through great difficulty or those who seem different. 

Lastly, I hope readers walk away as inspired by the story as I have been by my mom and aunt’s examples showing that it’s possible to face great difficulty and live a full life with joy and hope.

Q: Will book 2 be another historical fiction that takes place in World War II Italy or will it be a different setting? I would love to read more World War II books that take place in Italy and Portugal, as those places aren’t covered as much as France, Poland and Germany.

A: I’ve been doing research for another family-inspired novel that would go back in time, long before WWII. As the story would take place in several countries, the research is proving a bit difficult. But I’m forging ahead and hope to bring the story to the page.

Q: If In The Light of the Sun were to be made into a series or a movie, who would be your dream cast to play Rosa, Caramina, Tomasso and the other characters? My suggestion for Tomasso would be Italian actor Eugenio Franceschini from Emily In Paris. 

A: It would be a dream to have the novel brought to the screen. I’m no expert in casting, but I could see Belle Mariano as Caramina, Hailee Steinfeld or Olivia Rodrigo as Rosa, and Jane de Leon as Isabella. Isabella Rossellini would be wonderful as Nonna, or Monica Bellucci, though she is a bit young. For Papa, maybe, Luca Argentero. Eugenio Franceschini would make a great Tommaso.