Nine Days
Toni Jordan

Nine Days
Toni Jordan
Review
by Annie Condon
Toni Jordan is well known for her bestselling debut, Addition, which introduced Grace Vandenberg, an obsessive-compulsive, ultra-witty antihero. She followed this with Fall Girl, another superbly comic book in its own right.
Now, in novel number three, Jordan has turned to the ‘serious side’, a move that her readers are sure to enjoy.
Nine Days follows the fortunes of one family, the Westaways, from 1939 until the present day. The family, and their inner-city life in Richmond, are introduced through the eyes of teenager Kip who works as a stable hand.
Lively and perceptive, Kip understands all too well that his family’s status changed forever when his drunken father died after falling from a tram. This, and the beginning of World War II, affects the family more than they could ever imagine.
Kip’s twin brother Francis learns life lessons; his sister Connie experiences first love and its aftermath; and, in a beautifully written chapter full of pathos, Mrs Westaway accounts for her devastating actions. In the next part of the novel, Kip’s daughters tell their own stories. We encounter Charlotte, a yoga teacher, on a day she can no longer contain a secret. We meet Stanzi, who is deeply unhappy with her life and using food to deal with her pain.
The structure of this book – encountering nine characters on pivotal days for each – means there is dramatic tension in every chapter. The rich characterisation and distinctive structure reminded me of Jennifer Egan’s Pulitzer-winning A Visit from the Goon Squad – one of my favourite reads. With a background of war, and an inner city Melbourne setting, this is a fine and memorable Australian novel.
Annie Condon is a writer and convenor of a Readings’ Contemporary Book Club.
This item is in-stock and will ship in 2-3 business days
We are currently experiencing delays in processing and delivering online orders. Click here for more information.
Please note, our stock data is updated overnight, and availability may change throughout the day. Prices are subject to change without notice.Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.

Shadowboxing
$24.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

When the Night Comes
$19.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

From the Wreck
$29.95Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Maestro
$16.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

The Forgotten Garden
$22.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Dark fires shall burn
$32.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Document Z
$22.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

The Secret River
$22.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...