'Simply a joy to read.' Courier-Mail
'This novel is a triumph.' Australian
One family. Nine momentous days. An unforgettable novel of love and folly and heartbreak.
It is 1939 and young Kip Westaway, failed scholar and stablehand, is living the most important day of his life in the working-class Melbourne suburb of Richmond.
Kip's momentous day is one of nine that will set the course for each member of the Westaway clan in the years that follow. Kip's mother, his brother Francis and, eventually, Kip's wife Annabel and their daughters and grandson – all find their own turning points, their triumphs and catastrophes, in days to come.
But at the heart of all their stories is Kip, and at the centre of Kip's fifteen-year-old heart is his adored sister Connie. They hold the threads that will weave a family.
In Nine Days Toni Jordan has harnessed all the spiky wit, compassion and lust for life that drew readers in droves to Addition and Fall Girl. Ambitious in scope and structure, triumphantly realised, this is a novel about one family and every family. It is about dreams and fights and sacrifices. And finally, of course, it is – as it must be – about love.
Toni Jordan was born in Brisbane and graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Science. She has worked as a sales assistant, molecular biologist, quality control chemist and marketing manager. Her debut novel, Addition, was shortlisted for the Barbara Jefferis Award and longlisted for the Miles Franklin in 2009, and has been published in sixteen countries. Her second novel, Fall Girl, was published in 2010 and her latest, Nine Days, in 2012. Toni lives in Melbourne.
'Spanning World War II to 9/11, Australian novelist Jordan delivers a witty and wise family saga...A small treasure, from the author of the wonderful romantic comedy Addition (2009).' starred review, Kirkus Reviews
'Jordan elegantly captures the hopes and despairs of three generations of a troubled family, offering a diverting read that will appeal to fans of sophisticated historical fiction and book club members.' Library Journal US
'The suspense is frequently nail-biting, and there's a strong undertow of unspecified doom, but the book is far from gloomy because Jordan has a fine line in wit too, not to mention the natural storyteller's ability to keep us guessing about where it's all going...beautifully constructed...' Daily Mail UK
'This novel is a triumph.' Australian
'Toni Jordan has written a beautiful novel which captures the loves and fears of an ordinary Australian family through hard times and better times. It reminded me of Elizabeth Stead's books.' Australian Bookseller and Publisher
'Reading Nine Days, you will laugh, even cry, but you will be in no doubt that Toni Jordan uses the modern novel to reflect those tensions that exist for many of us between duty and desire.' Australian Book Review
'More serious than her previous work but with the same astute observations, brightness and wit, its a sensitive and beautiful novel, a slice of Australia's working-class history, that is a joy to read.' Herald on Sunday NZ
'A brilliant piece of writing...compelling, engaging and will bring tears to the eyes...' Sunday Star Times NZ
