The Weight of Silence

Great book! Must read!

Very rarely do you find a book so good that you stay up half the night reading it, then feel sad on the last page, because it is over. This book had me wrapped up in the story from the very beginning. I cannot wait to read Ms. Gudenkauf's next book!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

this is a tense dark family drama

In Willow Creek, Iowa, Griff Clark has gone fishing when his wife Antonia awakens from her sleep to find their seven years old daughter Calli gone. She is worried because this is not normal for her child who has been mute for three years after a run in with her abusive father.

Checking with the neighbors, Antonia learns that Calli's best friend Petra Gregory is also not home. Distraught, Antonia turns to her long term friend, Deputy Sheriff Loras Louis to learn what has happened to her daughter. He arranges a manhunt even as he hides how much he loves Antonia from her.

Although it takes a minor adjustment, as the perspective rotates between five key players, this is a tense dark family drama that hooks the audience from the moment Antonia wakes up to the worst that could happen to her; much more so than the beatings from her abusive spouse. The realistic story line is fast-paced even with the rotating viewpoints, but never lightens up; so is not for everyone as the aptly titled THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE is very heavy as "Silence like a cancer grows" (Simon and Garfunkle's The Sounds of Silence).

Harriet Klausner

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Could have been better!

First of all, can someone please tell me if they noticed that in some parts of the book it said Calli hadn't spoken in three years and in other parts of the book, it said Calli hadn't spoken in four years? Which one was it, three years or four years? And second, did we ever quite get to the point that we understood the actual plot? Griff??? What's with the woods that everyone loves so much but have no real reason to be there other than to add page numbers? The climax was so thin, the entire book was a waste of time. Without adding a spoiler, Heather, ANYTHING would've been more plausible than the bluff conclusion. Too much spent on nothing and not enough spent on the stuff that could made this book a great read!!!!

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A Stunning Debut

"The Weight of Silence" has been one of the summer bestsellers this year, and for good reason. I found myself very quickly becoming lost in Gudenkauf's debut novel. At times absolutely heartbreaking, it will grab you from the beginning and not let go until Calli's epilogue.

The story begins one early morning as Calli, a first grader, is dragged into the woods by her alcoholic father. Calli is a selective mute, and the backstory about how she became that way is intriguing. As the people who love her try to find out where she has gone, the story intertwines with another disappearance, Calli's best friend, Petra. Petra has always been there for Calli, being her "voice". When a substitute teacher punishes Petra for always talking for her friend, Petra saves the day. Calli's mother, Antonia, tells her that one day in the future, she may have help Petra in the same way. This day comes sooner than she thinks when Petra is in serious trouble.

"The Weight of Silence" speaks from different viewpoints, all in the first person, except for one, Calli. The puzzle pieces keep piling up, until the reader finally puts them together. What happened to Calli that she stopped talking? What happened to Calli and Petra in the woods? The ending is bittersweet, yet heartbreaking.

MY RATING - 5

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http://www.1776books.blogspot.com

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Story!

This was an excellent story. I found it very hard to put this book down. It is told from several views of several different people, but it was not hard at all to follow. I know I will read this one again.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS BOOK WHAT MORE CAN I SAY WITHOUT G

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS BOOK



WHAT MORE CAN I SAY WITHOUT GIVING ANY OF THE STORY AWAY????? HEATHER GUDENKAUF IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. I LOVE HER WRITING STYLE, EVERYTHING JUST FLOWS TOGETHER LIKE WATER DOWN A SMALL CREEK. THE WAY SHE DEVELOPS THE CHARACTERS MAKE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH THEM. MY HEART WAS POUNDING AS I TURNED THE PAGES TO THE BOOK, HOPING THAT THE GIRLS WILL BE FOUND WITHOUT ANY HARM. WHAT A POWERFUL LESSON IS LEARNED ABOUT KEEPING FAMILY SECRETS, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED. WHAT A HEAVY BURDEN TO CARRY ON THE SHOULDERS OF SOMEONE SO SMALL. EXCELLENT JOB TO MRS. GUDENKAUF, YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF TELLING THIS STORY. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF READING AND THESE THINGS HIDDEN. ENJOY...........

B

Hello.....?
~amberclaw

Another great book by Heather Gudenkauf

This book is a must read. After finishing These things hidden I couldn't wait to read this one. Heather Gudenkauf is an excellent writer. Can't wait for her next book.

Amazing!

Read this in one day. Great read. Definitely worth it.

Loved it!

Couldnt put it down. Loved the different perspectives from the characters.

great read!

highly recommend.....

Fantastic read

Read over the summer in only two days. It is told from a really unique perspective. Heartbreaking and a story you will not soon forget.

worth the weight

This is a good story, somewhat disturbing but a good read. A who done it type of fictional story.

Excellent

Wonderful book! Keeps you on the edge, didn't want to put this book down!

Best new writer today

I have read both of Ms Gudenkauf's books, "These Things Hidden" and "The Weight of Silence" and I cannot wait until she writes her next one. These books are exciting and suprising and once you start reading them you do not want to put them down.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Couldn't put it down!

I loved this book although it is a copy of Jodi Picoult's style of writing, told through each characters eyes.

Very twisted

Love the mystery of this book, can't wait for mire from this author

Good author debut...

If you're looking for that not too intense-good beach/airplane/car-ride book than this one fits the bill.

I like how each chapter was a different person's "voice." Allowed one to see the same story from different sides. Appreciated the little plot twist at the end. Despite what others say...I didn't see it coming!

As others said, it does have some "filler" but, again, it's a good book for travelers who don't want anyting too deep or intense.

Awesome

Loved it!!

Really liked it

I started reading this while on vacation, I was looking for something to read and remembered the title and cover a few weeks back browsing a Barnes & Noble, the title and cover really drew my attention. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading, and although I was able to make a really early guess as to who got one of the little girls, the book still kept me intrigued and I wanted to know if I was right and how the whole story plays out. This was a really good mystery with fairly believable characters, very well written. I'm definitely recommending this to friends. :)