Let Evening Come by Yvonne Osborne

My Ratings: 5/5 stars

About the Book:

“Let Evening Come” by Yvonne Osborne is a literary novel that delves deep into the emotional landscapes of its characters, exploring themes of loss, displacement, and cultural conflict. The story follows Sadie Wixom, who grapples with the loss of her mother and Stefan Montegrand, whose Indigenous family faces displacement due to multinational energy company and flawed treaties. Together they combat suspicion and bigotry on both sides of the border and the cultural differences that separate them.

Book Review

The feeling of “otherness,” the daily confrontation with the “Us vs. Them” nature of people, if there is a time when a book like this is most relevant—it is today. The novel’s emotional resonance and detailed portrayal of Sadie and Stefan’s characters set against the backdrop of their respective struggles tugged on my heartstrings. It was something about the way their conversations felt so authentic and the dynamics between them palpable, that I couldn’t stop reading this book.

In Sadie and Stefan’s journey, you are able to see how certain events in our lives or our identities sometimes shape the kind of individual we become in life. Sadie’s transformation from someone stricken by grief to an activist is deeply engaging. She discovers a newfound mission in rallying behind Stefan’s crusade to confront the inequities plaguing his kin and community. Conversely, Stefan represents the ongoing battle of indigenous populations to maintain their heritage and entitlements amidst a society that isn’t accepting of their rights. I am currently living in a multicultural environment surrounded by scholars from diverse countries, and I could relate to the way the book explores cultural misunderstandings and the challenges faced by indigenous communities. The author presents such realities with a focus on fostering genuine empathy and understanding.

Even though the book does have elements of romance, I found it falling more into the literary fiction genre than romance because the social themes resonated more with me. Osborne’s writing is both captivating and poignant, successfully weaving a compelling tale. Overall, “Let Evening Come” is a recommended read for those interested in a moving story that not only provides a window into the complexities of cultural divides but also celebrates the human capacity to overcome adversity.