*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: Nightfall
Author: Richard B. Wright
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada
Publication Date: May 3, 2016
ISBN: 9781476785370
Synopsis from Goodreads:
James Hillyer, a retired university professor whose life was evocatively described in Wright’s novel October, is now barely existing after the death of his beloved daughter in her forties. On a whim, he tries to locate the woman he fell in love with so many years ago on a summer trip to Quebec and through the magic of the Internet he is able to find her. But Odette’s present existence seems to be haunted by ghosts from her own past, in particular, the tough ex-con Raoul, with his long-standing grievances and the beginnings of dementia. The collision of past and present leads to violence nobody could have predicted and alters the lives of James and Odette forever. Nightfall skillfully captures the way in which our past is ever-present in our minds as we grow older, casting its spell of lost loves and the innocent joys of youth over the realities of aging and death. The novel is skillfully grounded in observation, propelled by unforgettable characters, and filled with wisdom about young love and old love. Drawing on the author’s profound understanding of the intimate bonds between men and women, Nightfall is classic Richard B. Wright.
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LOVE! Love, love, love, love, I am in love. This book was absolutely fantastic. Although short, this is one of the most touching books that I’ve read if a very long while. It’s like a breath of fresh air. Wright perfectly encapsulates the essence of humanness in his brief but breathtaking tale. Plus, it’s completely caused me to fall in love with the name Odette.
This is a story of the past, the present, and the future. It is about how our history informs us, but does not make who we are and who we become. It’s a story of love lost and found. Wright brings to light the realities of age, often violent, angry, or sad, but also in many case beautiful and full of love. His characters are stark, honest, and moving. They have not lived easy lives, but they are able to return to a simpler and more innocent time through shared memories and a desire to find happiness.
Wright proves that one does not need to be long winded to weave a thrilling and passionate tale and one does not need to be verbose to construct compelling and so fully alive characters. His skill at characterizations will have your heart aching for James and cringing at Raoul. In fewer than 200 pages, we learn the essence of each character, where they’ve been throughout their lifelong journeys, and who they’ve become in the present. Each is complex and interesting.
I hope you’ll read this lovely, beautiful book. It’s definitely a new favourite of mine.
Worn Pages and Ink 
Your enthusiasm for this is infectious! Is it a series? Do you need to read in order?
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I don’t believe it’s a series. At least not as far as I’m aware. But it is excellent. I found it very moving and very real. I hope you enjoy it if you do decide to read it!
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As the GoodReads synopsis states, it’s a follow-up to Wright’s October.
Both books are likely well contained stories, though they share some of the same characters.
I don’t think it’s vital that they be read in succession, but as someone who enjoyed October, I’m looking forward to Nightfall. Wright has a clean style that somehow makes everything leap off the page very vividly.
Glad to hear you liked it.
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I just finished “Nightfall” – it’s riveting, a quietly spectacular story.
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