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Nineteen Days
Genevieve hates cruises. All that lounging around quaffing cocktails and too much food. But Peter, her husband, bought this one for her after the worst year of her life, and she couldn't tell him she didn't want to go. They are both still traumatised from an unimaginable family tragedy, and each of them has gone into hiding behind small talk and silence.
A cruise is also the last place Genevieve could imagine making a friend, but in Thomas, a morbidly obese man who inhabits a patch of shade on the deck, she meets someone she can talk to. She tells him her story. Thomas himself has an odd past. He is a refugee from the priesthood of an oppressive Catholic cult, an experience that poisoned the only relationship he cared about.
In the gentle relationship a kind of healing takes place, until Peter drops a bombshell. By the end of the cruise, all their lives have changed. A story about strange and unexpected friendships, about the facades that people wear, and about what happens when they break. Most of all it is a story about how love manages to seep through the cracks.
A cruise is also the last place Genevieve could imagine making a friend, but in Thomas, a morbidly obese man who inhabits a patch of shade on the deck, she meets someone she can talk to. She tells him her story. Thomas himself has an odd past. He is a refugee from the priesthood of an oppressive Catholic cult, an experience that poisoned the only relationship he cared about.
In the gentle relationship a kind of healing takes place, until Peter drops a bombshell. By the end of the cruise, all their lives have changed. A story about strange and unexpected friendships, about the facades that people wear, and about what happens when they break. Most of all it is a story about how love manages to seep through the cracks.
Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 6, 2020
Genevieve and Peter had suffered a terrible tragedy just six months prior and to help with their grief, Peter booked them both on a cruise – a nineteen day floating, docking, visiting, eating, drinking time to forget. But Genevieve disliked cruises and with Peter unwell in their cabin, she was at a loose end. Wandering, lonely, it was probably inevitable that she would make a friend. Thomas was obese, morbidly so, and while Genevieve could see and hear the glances and snide remarks from the people around, she went and sat with him, and they began talking.
Before many days had passed Genevieve and Thomas had exchanged stories, although not everything. Thomas’ life as a cult member in Melbourne was shocking; his past and present day roiling in his mind always. Genevieve and Peter’s lives? Thomas was a good listener and slowly a solid friendship formed. But grief was deep, unmentioned, eating away inside. What would happen to Genevieve and Peter, to Thomas and his brother Martin?
Nineteen Days is an amazing, compassionate and heartfelt look at grief, tragedy, secrets and love from Aussie author Kath Engebretson, which kept me completely engrossed. Mistakes were made from naivety, and from being frightened of the outcome. But Ms Engebretson shows how, even at their worst, humans can come back from the edge if they are shown compassion and caring. A truly exceptional story, Nineteen Days is one I recommend.
With thanks to Atlas Publishing for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Before many days had passed Genevieve and Thomas had exchanged stories, although not everything. Thomas’ life as a cult member in Melbourne was shocking; his past and present day roiling in his mind always. Genevieve and Peter’s lives? Thomas was a good listener and slowly a solid friendship formed. But grief was deep, unmentioned, eating away inside. What would happen to Genevieve and Peter, to Thomas and his brother Martin?
Nineteen Days is an amazing, compassionate and heartfelt look at grief, tragedy, secrets and love from Aussie author Kath Engebretson, which kept me completely engrossed. Mistakes were made from naivety, and from being frightened of the outcome. But Ms Engebretson shows how, even at their worst, humans can come back from the edge if they are shown compassion and caring. A truly exceptional story, Nineteen Days is one I recommend.
With thanks to Atlas Publishing for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2020
Nineteen Days is the second novel by Australian author, Kath Engebretson. Genevieve Bennet and her husband Peter are on a cruise: nineteen days out of Sydney to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Genevieve would rather be anywhere else than in the middle of a crowd of people intent on eating, drinking and having a good time.
While Peter deals with his grief and anger in their cabin, Genevieve sits on deck, watching the passing parade, later described thus by a fellow passenger: “the unusual, the ancient, the beautiful, and the downright weird” while another adds “the shallow, the spoiled, the over-indulged, the loud, the fatuous, the annoying.”
A morbidly obese yet ever-cheerful man catches her eye, and she chats with him. Thomas McNaughton is, perhaps because of his unconventional childhood, or perhaps in spite of it, a good listener, and Gen finds herself sharing parts of the family’s traumatic loss. Eventually, Thomas reciprocates; they look forward to spending time together on deck, demonstrating the peculiar phenomenon that makes it easier to tell secrets to strangers.
Gen encounters Thomas’s travelling companion, Martin, who has taken up with a younger crowd, but reveals something else about Thomas. Certain other passengers also find a rapport that sees them sharing secrets with those providing an understanding ear and an objective opinion, as those at a remove are more able to do.
The attention of those in deckchairs is drawn to an excitable boy, non-verbal, on the spectrum, and this becomes a talking point for some of those interacting with Thomas and Martin, Gen and Peter. By the formal farewell dinner, with various upsetting revelations already made, some find the courage to confess shocking transgressions: blame is slung and guilt results in potentially tragic consequences.
Engebretson’s setting is easily believable and provides a crucible for feelings and emotions; her characters are multi-faceted and the problems they face are credible and furnish ample material for thought and discussion. This is a powerful little read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Atlas Productions.
While Peter deals with his grief and anger in their cabin, Genevieve sits on deck, watching the passing parade, later described thus by a fellow passenger: “the unusual, the ancient, the beautiful, and the downright weird” while another adds “the shallow, the spoiled, the over-indulged, the loud, the fatuous, the annoying.”
A morbidly obese yet ever-cheerful man catches her eye, and she chats with him. Thomas McNaughton is, perhaps because of his unconventional childhood, or perhaps in spite of it, a good listener, and Gen finds herself sharing parts of the family’s traumatic loss. Eventually, Thomas reciprocates; they look forward to spending time together on deck, demonstrating the peculiar phenomenon that makes it easier to tell secrets to strangers.
Gen encounters Thomas’s travelling companion, Martin, who has taken up with a younger crowd, but reveals something else about Thomas. Certain other passengers also find a rapport that sees them sharing secrets with those providing an understanding ear and an objective opinion, as those at a remove are more able to do.
The attention of those in deckchairs is drawn to an excitable boy, non-verbal, on the spectrum, and this becomes a talking point for some of those interacting with Thomas and Martin, Gen and Peter. By the formal farewell dinner, with various upsetting revelations already made, some find the courage to confess shocking transgressions: blame is slung and guilt results in potentially tragic consequences.
Engebretson’s setting is easily believable and provides a crucible for feelings and emotions; her characters are multi-faceted and the problems they face are credible and furnish ample material for thought and discussion. This is a powerful little read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Atlas Productions.
September 15, 2021
Genevieve and her husband Peter are recovering from a family trauma and have decided to go on a cruise in an effort to heal the rift between them. Genevieve strikes up a conversation with another passenger by the name of Thomas. Morbidly obese and seemingly lonely, Thomas has a number of health concerns but he's a great listener and their friendship starts to take root.
Throughout the nineteen days of the cruise (informing the title of the book), their conversations begin to deepen and we learn about Thomas's complicated family history, and more about Genevieve and Peter's loss.
Genevieve and Thomas are on a cruise from Sydney to Honolulu via New Zealand and I loved the realistic descriptions of life at sea on a cruise ship. The variety of activities and happenings on sea days and port visits made me long to go cruising again after this pandemic is over. Some of you might recall that I recently read another book set on a cruise ship, and you'd be right, however The Ex-Husband by Karen Hamilton was a thriller and quite different to Nineteen Days.
Nineteen Days is a book about friendship, loneliness, the power of listening, the importance of family and the strength of love in the world. A poor decision by the main character at the very end of the book jerked me out of the story at a critical point, and while it didn't impact the characters or the ending at all, it ultimately cost a star in this review. Nineteen Days is written by Australian author Kath Engebretson and it was an entertaining read that made me long for the high seas again.
* Copy courtesy of Atlas Productions *
Throughout the nineteen days of the cruise (informing the title of the book), their conversations begin to deepen and we learn about Thomas's complicated family history, and more about Genevieve and Peter's loss.
Genevieve and Thomas are on a cruise from Sydney to Honolulu via New Zealand and I loved the realistic descriptions of life at sea on a cruise ship. The variety of activities and happenings on sea days and port visits made me long to go cruising again after this pandemic is over. Some of you might recall that I recently read another book set on a cruise ship, and you'd be right, however The Ex-Husband by Karen Hamilton was a thriller and quite different to Nineteen Days.
Nineteen Days is a book about friendship, loneliness, the power of listening, the importance of family and the strength of love in the world. A poor decision by the main character at the very end of the book jerked me out of the story at a critical point, and while it didn't impact the characters or the ending at all, it ultimately cost a star in this review. Nineteen Days is written by Australian author Kath Engebretson and it was an entertaining read that made me long for the high seas again.
* Copy courtesy of Atlas Productions *
July 29, 2020
Kath Engebretson’s second novel Nineteen Days is set on a cruise ship, a place where strangers can come together for a short time without the connections they have left behind, in this case for nineteen days. This contained setting enables the writer to create a group of characters with whom readers are able to sympathise. It allows Engebretson, as she weaves her charming narrative, to argue that life changing relationships can actually develop between strangers. This writer also explores our need to share our experiences and, in a way, she appears to be arguing that sometimes it is easier for us to share with those who don’t know us that well, those who are not as familiar with our past and thus are unaware of much of our emotional history.
The story is told in third person from the point of view from each of the main characters and this enabled me to enjoy and appreciate how and why they were able share their tragedies with, and develop strength from, each other. It was encouraging to realise at the end of the novel that after the nineteen days they were all more at peace with themselves as they each understood themselves better.
It was interesting to note that the most functional relationship focused on in Nineteen Days was that of Timmy’s family. The description of Timmy is particularly detailed and gives the reader a clear idea of how a child with a disability is often perceived. One of the most emotive sections of the novel is when the writer describes Genevieve’s second glimpse of the family – after reading about the child’s relationship with his father readers could not help but feel up lifted.
The story is told in third person from the point of view from each of the main characters and this enabled me to enjoy and appreciate how and why they were able share their tragedies with, and develop strength from, each other. It was encouraging to realise at the end of the novel that after the nineteen days they were all more at peace with themselves as they each understood themselves better.
It was interesting to note that the most functional relationship focused on in Nineteen Days was that of Timmy’s family. The description of Timmy is particularly detailed and gives the reader a clear idea of how a child with a disability is often perceived. One of the most emotive sections of the novel is when the writer describes Genevieve’s second glimpse of the family – after reading about the child’s relationship with his father readers could not help but feel up lifted.
July 25, 2020
“What a world of secrets this vessel holds” , this line is to me the key point on which this novel is cleverly formed . Those secrets the characters held and the hidden masks they wore till friendships made on the cruise gradually wore those masks down . Twists in the story keep the reader reading longer than he/she may have intended . A story of many stories of lives led, family dynamics , regrets felt & decisions made and the ripple effect these factors cause . Highly recommend .
July 25, 2020
Very easy to read with an interesting storyline and setting. The characters are well developed and the novel examines several family issues that affect us all in a sympathetic and engaging fashion. A thoughtful and sensitive read, highly recommend.
July 25, 2020
A wonderful book, with relatable characters and a great storyline. The story keeps you guessing with the little sub plots and the twists and turns throughout the story. Well worth reading.
July 26, 2020
Highly recommend Nineteen Days, unforgettable characters, interesting story, highly enjoyable reading
August 1, 2020
In Nineteen Days, Kath Engebretson conveys the debilitating and sorrowful grief associated with the loss of a child, the loss of a sister, the rejection of parents, and the fear of losing a job. I felt heavy-hearted reading each page, but because it is so beautifully written and so humble, the grief was bearable. It’s a gentle book that celebrates the invaluable need for human connection in order to heal, live and love.
What gets Genevieve through the lonely days on the ship is her unexpected and much needed friendship with Thomas. Thomas has his own traumas adding another layer of depth to the plot. But what a remarkable man he is! In fact, most of the characters we meet in Nineteen Days saddle their burdens on the ship, yet, they are very interesting and familiar people we might meet day to day, or at the water cooler in the office. We all know a Peter, Genevieve’s husband. He is practical and reliable, who lovingly dishes out beautiful dinners served each night with a glass of cold wine for his weary wife, but truly struggles to communicate his despair. We all know an Abbey. She is the stereotype of a 20’s something modern, hip and wealthy girl who seems to have the values of a log. Then there is Martin: ridiculously good looking and seems to ‘have it all’ but his experience of parental neglect has had such profound effects on his life.
The characters in Nineteen Days teach us to be mindful that each time we meet someone remember that they too have secrets. Engebretson encourages us to be gentle, kind and patient, as this might be just what your new friend needs to heal, live their best life, and relish in love.
What gets Genevieve through the lonely days on the ship is her unexpected and much needed friendship with Thomas. Thomas has his own traumas adding another layer of depth to the plot. But what a remarkable man he is! In fact, most of the characters we meet in Nineteen Days saddle their burdens on the ship, yet, they are very interesting and familiar people we might meet day to day, or at the water cooler in the office. We all know a Peter, Genevieve’s husband. He is practical and reliable, who lovingly dishes out beautiful dinners served each night with a glass of cold wine for his weary wife, but truly struggles to communicate his despair. We all know an Abbey. She is the stereotype of a 20’s something modern, hip and wealthy girl who seems to have the values of a log. Then there is Martin: ridiculously good looking and seems to ‘have it all’ but his experience of parental neglect has had such profound effects on his life.
The characters in Nineteen Days teach us to be mindful that each time we meet someone remember that they too have secrets. Engebretson encourages us to be gentle, kind and patient, as this might be just what your new friend needs to heal, live their best life, and relish in love.
October 5, 2022
An enjoyable story of loss, redemption and second changes. After the death of her son Gwendolyn and her husband take a cruise from Australia to Hawaii. Gwendolyn hates cruises but soon meets Thomas a morbidly obese man who she immediately befriends. The nineteen days on this ship will change the lives of all of the books give main characters. Secrets are exposed, resentments are revealed and second chances are offered. I liked the characters and the story. The writing is emotional and good. I liked the final section which has a little more pace. I found Hannah Lahor's narration to be generally , an Australian narrator which the book needed, but is he does pause at unexpected places, overall not a book I would have normally read but I am glad I did. I received a complimentary copy of the Audio book and am leaving a honest voluntary review
September 1, 2024
a definite yes
I set this book down to do some chores right before the characters go to the formal dinner. I thought that I would like to be on that cruise and meet these people. I found myself liking each character ( warts and all….well except one snobby person!). Then we get to the dinner and I never saw that coming!! Although i believed I solved the one mystery early on, I was surprised at what came during and after the dinner. Do I still want to meet these people? Eh, maybe not. I have my own issues to deal with. Great book though.
I set this book down to do some chores right before the characters go to the formal dinner. I thought that I would like to be on that cruise and meet these people. I found myself liking each character ( warts and all….well except one snobby person!). Then we get to the dinner and I never saw that coming!! Although i believed I solved the one mystery early on, I was surprised at what came during and after the dinner. Do I still want to meet these people? Eh, maybe not. I have my own issues to deal with. Great book though.
February 20, 2022
Good Story, Too Drawn Out
Overall I enjoyed this book. I love cruise stories, and the characters were well developed. I liked the friendships that were formed at sea. That being said, fhe story really started to lag in the middle and it did not improve. I had to push myself to get through it, and I started to not care about the characters anymore. I just wanted to finish the book. A lovely story, just needed to be much shorter or more engaging.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I love cruise stories, and the characters were well developed. I liked the friendships that were formed at sea. That being said, fhe story really started to lag in the middle and it did not improve. I had to push myself to get through it, and I started to not care about the characters anymore. I just wanted to finish the book. A lovely story, just needed to be much shorter or more engaging.
October 12, 2022
I loved the narration of Hannah Lalor
After the death of her son Gwendolyn and her husband take a cruise from Australia to Hawaii. Gwendolyn hates cruises, she befriends Thomas a morbidly obese man. The nineteen days on this ship will change the lives of all. Secrets are exposed, resentments are revealed, and second chances are offered. This book is full of compassionate and heartfelt look at grief, tragedy, secrets and love
After the death of her son Gwendolyn and her husband take a cruise from Australia to Hawaii. Gwendolyn hates cruises, she befriends Thomas a morbidly obese man. The nineteen days on this ship will change the lives of all. Secrets are exposed, resentments are revealed, and second chances are offered. This book is full of compassionate and heartfelt look at grief, tragedy, secrets and love
December 29, 2021
A surprising and captivating read
The characters in this story are raw and real. Each of them holds a secret they can only tell strangers, until one fateful night, when they are forced to face their secrets - and themselves - head on. It is a funny, poignant, heartbreaking and uplifting read.
The characters in this story are raw and real. Each of them holds a secret they can only tell strangers, until one fateful night, when they are forced to face their secrets - and themselves - head on. It is a funny, poignant, heartbreaking and uplifting read.
March 25, 2024
I had a hard time with the narrators inflections and speech patterns.The book went extremely slow also.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews