Author: Yvonne Weldon
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
Genre: Modern & contemporary Fiction, General Fiction, Modern Romance
Year of release: 2022
Release Date: 5th July 2022
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
TW References to sexual assault
Synopsis
Evie has been raised in the heart of Aboriginal Redfern, by a proud trailblazing Wiradjuri family. She remembers so much about the previous world – the Dreamtime, the ancestors, and the knowing – but she also harbours a dark pain that is becoming almost too much to bear.
And then Evie meets James, a young man radiating pure love who fills her life with light. On the cusp of adulthood, with their whole lives ahead of them, they travel to Evie’s beloved country, the central west of New South Wales and the Riverina regions. Swimming in the waters of the Kalare, as known by the Wiradjuri, and in the Murrumbidgee, singing with her ancestors, listening to the spirits.
The new world created between Evie and James is one they did not know they were missing. Now they can’t leave it alone. They are no longer separate – they are one, they are whole together – until a sudden event leaves them seeking answers to one of life’s most eternal questions- is love strong enough to withstand anything?
Review
1993, Redfern Sydney, Australia Evie has spent her childhood, and teen years and now heading towards her 20’s living in the heart of Aboriginal Redfern, she is currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts at Sydney University and is considering transferring into a Psychology degree with a proud Wiradjuri family, parents Annie and Ted and younger siblings by her side.
It might appear that Evie has everything under control to the outside world, but Evie holds within her a dark pain and the pain is reaching boiling point, which is becoming harder for Evie, too much for her to carry alone. Then suddenly there is James Wells, an apprentice electrician, he breaks into the darkness that once surrounded her leaving only light and love, the young couple on the cusp of adulthood they are inseparable, they are one they are whole together.
Things take a sudden turn forcing the pair to seek answers to one of life’s eternal questions- is love strong enough to withstand anything?
I had seen this book all over the internet and was keen to discover the title for myself in the beginning I found Evie to be a very believable character and a young woman coming into adulthood, this detail convinced me to keep reading.
Shorter chapters throughout the book were welcome especially when the story touched on heavier subjects.
I found the plot made Sixty-Seven days a great addition to the Fictional Modern Romance genre, but I will say as the story progressed the dialogue between the couple was a bit off-putting for me, having now finished this book I will say the story did begin to feel a touch repetitive at times.
I must say I appreciated the author’s skill when it comes to character development, especially in the case of Evie, I felt as if I witness her grow into the strong independent woman, she becomes by the time the book reaches the closing chapters. Evie seems to know what she wants in life even from the opening chapters by the time we leave her she knows she must keep moving forward even during the darker moments.
In this reader’s opinion the character of James came across as a minor character yes, the story was focused on our female protagonist but given the plot was based on the pair’s relationship at various points in the book it felt like he was easily a plot filler character rather up front and centre with Evie.
This reader isn’t as familiar with the Aboriginal culture or beliefs. Hence, I was a little nervous to read and review this book. Still, this reviewer believes that any reader will be able to gain an understanding of the cultural beliefs used in the story due to Yvonne Weldon being Aboriginal and her skilled writing and detailed research I had to keep reminding myself it was fiction.
I found the early to-conflict chapters held my interest and kept the plot moving a lot faster than the closing chapters, which made the book feel as if it came to a halt.
Sixty- Seven days is the perfect example of why I avoid reading the synopsis often these days, I had no idea where the story was headed, nor did I see the ending coming and this added to my overall enjoyment of this story and why I have given the book 4- stars.
If I had to describe the book to someone, I would say it’s a coming-of-age modern love story.
This book is heavy on descriptions of location, Dreamtime, and Aboriginal culture.
Subplot used in Sixty-seven days include:
- Young Love
- Coming of age
- A strong connection to family- past and present
- A strong connection to culture
- Trauma- past, present, and ongoing
- Self-discovery
I will say by the time I closed this book I found myself surprisingly touched by this story. I wasn’t expecting to be so moved by it. If you’re looking for your next Modern and Contemporary, Modern Romance I will say investigate Yvonne Weldon’s novel Sixty-Seven Days. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
With continued thanks to Penguin Books Australia for sending a physical copy of this book to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.