Season 9, Episode 7 - Angela Shupe
In this episode of History Through Fiction the podcast, host Colin Mustful speaks with author Angela Shupe to discuss her debut novel In the Light of the Sun, inspired by her own family history. Set during World War II in both Italy and the Philippines, the novel explores resilience, faith, and the power of music amid wartime upheaval. Shupe shares how opera, resistance movements, and personal memory shaped her storytelling in this moving conversation.
🎧 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!
About the Author
Madeleine L’Engle’s belief that stories make us more alive and courageous resonates deeply with Angela Shupe. As a writer, she strives to craft compelling narratives. Her debut novel, In the Light of the Sun, will be published by WaterBrook Penguin Random House in fall 2025. Set during World War II in Europe and Southeast Asia, it follows two sisters, inspired by her family’s wartime experiences. Her work has appeared in literary journals and in publications including MetroParent, Women’s Adventure, and Relevant Magazine. She holds a BA in English from the University of Detroit and has worked as an editor and communications coordinator. Shupe is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Historical Novel Society.
Two sisters, separated by oceans and global conflict, are bonded through music and love in this gripping novel based on true events from World War II.
“In the Light of the Sun is a hauntingly beautiful WWII novel that shines a light on wartime in the Philippines and Italy, places rarely depicted in historical fiction. Based on meticulous research and inspired by the author’s own family, two sisters are torn apart by war in a story about the unbreakable bonds between family members. This novel balances tension and tenderness, while paying tribute to one family’s bravery, hope, resilience, and the stirring power of music to help and heal the soul. In the Light of the Sun is a riveting, unforgettable must-read novel that will live in my heart and mind for years to come.”
—Sharon Kurtzman, author of The Lost Baker of Vienna
