Customer Reviews

Lies of Silence (Longman Literature)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This novel starts out at a deceptively languid pace and then rivets the tension up in an instant. Michael Dillon, an average hotel manager, is planning to ask his wife for a divorce. On the same evening, his life is turned upside down when two men burst into his home and hold his wife at gunpoint, asking him to carry a car loaded with a bomb to a specific destination - that or his wife will be killed.
If you think the plot sounds formulaic, think again. It veers off in all sorts of unpredictable directions as Dillon's private life suddenly becomes very public, his wife turns out to be far nobler than anyone might expect, etc.
Think about what sort of choices YOU might make if the eyes of the world were suddenly turned your way and every move you made was dissected and analyzed under a public microscope. Fascinating look at Irish politics and the tension between public and personal loyalties.

This book, which was short listed for the Booker Literary Prize, is very typical of some of Moore's best works. The characterization of the three main characters, Michael Dillon, Moira and Andrea is brilliant. Each in a way a complex stereotypical actor caught in the lime light of the "troubles" in Northern Ireland. Michael, born and raised in Belfast is sensitive and bright and wants to fulfil his potential as a poet but is caught in the humdrum need to make a living because he married a woman, Moira, who's beauty he admired and longed for but who's mind he had never examined. Moira, was also raised in Belfast, and unlike Michael, longs to return to her birthplace. Bright, but vain and bulimic She is terrified of ageing but finds new strength and purpose when she decides to oppose the IRA. Andrea, a Canadian in England to study, cannot fathom the problems of Northern Ireland and only longs for peace and security with Michael Dillon.

The plot involves the attempted assassination of Northern Ireland's Protestant leader, Pottinger, by having Michael, the manager of a Hotel where Pottinger is giving a speech, drive a car bomb to just outside the hotel room where Pottinger is speaking. Meanwhile the IRA thugs hold Michael's wife hostage with the threat of killing her if he does not follow through. Michael at the last possible minute decides to alert the authorities because 100's might die if the bomb goes off. The fall out for everyone, Michael's wife Moira and his girl friend Andrea and the IRA are taut and filled with suspense.

Very good, well written thriller.

If a man no longer loves his wife (and perhaps never did) and has a choice between participating in the bombing of strangers or letting her be killed, what does he do?

This is the question that the book sets about answering, and spins out beautifully the consequences that follow on his actions. Nothing in the book is simple or clear cut, and the reader is not given the luxury of having a clear moral position to adopt. That is, except for the moral position of intolerance of violence and intolerance for the people who perpetrate it-- whatever the cost.

I was puzzled myself about why I didn't want to give this book five stars, but in the end although it was masterfully written, I found that it didn't contain spark or the flame I needed to carry it above just 'very good'. However, I will certainly seek out other books by the same writer in the future.

Moore was a first-rate writer in the Graham Greene mode who failed to engage the interest of the literati and is slowly fading away as a result. "Lies of Silence" is as good an example as any as to why he deserves better.

The theme is sloth, the unwillingness to spiritually engage with anything that matters. Moore takes a typical disoriented, rootless modern type and places him in a situation where he *must* engage, then ruthlessly portrays the consequences of his failure. Moore's inference that our inability to deal decisively with terrorism is directly related to the contemporary spiritual vacuum was years ahead of its time, and is not going to lose its pertinence any time soon.

Other outstanding works by Moore include "The Doctor's Wife", "The Mangan Inheritance", and "Black Robe".

Lies of silence is one of the best books I have ever read. It is different, unpredictable and exciting. The story about the IRA and a man who gets involved in one of their actions while being in the middle of his strugle chosing between his wife and his mistress is quite realistic. I also think that you can learn more about the IRA and their actions by reading this book.

I must admit that the book did not appeal to me at all when I started reading it. But as soon as I had read the first few pages I could hardly stop reading! I was really intrigued by the catchy story upon which the book is built.

This story is set in the socio-political turmoil of Northern Ireland. However, it is not about the political issues, but about a very personal dilemma. The main character of this novel is poised on the verge of leaving his wife for another woman - leaving his homeland, family, and job as well. The night he plans to break it to his wife, they are held hostage by political terrorists who threaten to kill his wife unless he bombs the hotel which he himself manages. His responsibility for the safety of his hotel staff and guests comes up smack against his guilt at the impending abandonment of his wife, and responsibility for her safety. He is trapped, trying to decide what is the "right" thing to do.

Love, guilt, terror, responsibility, and rage against a moral blackmail form the tortuous emotional landscape of this novel.

A driving read.

Lies of silence is a really thrilling story about a hotel manager, Micheal Dillon who has to choose between the life of his wife and that of about a hundred other people. What will he do?
Brian Moore is a terrific writer, he describes everything in such a detailed way, you can almost feel the wind in your face as Micheal is walking around. The book gives you a lot of background information about the troubles in Northern Ireland and is written in such a way that you are drawn immidiatelly into it. The best thing about this story is that it makes you think: What would I do if I had to make these choices, would you do the same as Micheal?

If you like a terse writing style and a compelling story, this relatively short novel will suit you. Set in Northern Ireland during "The Troubles," the book presents a quintessential human dilemma that most of us have contemplated in our minds: Given the choice, would I save a single person that I know and love, or many people that I do not know? Moore's writing style reminds me of Ian McEwan, but with slightly less eloquence.

When I read the cover of this book, I really liked it. So I started reading, also for school. I really can say that I enjoyed reading this book, because it could be a reallife story!
I think Brian Moore did a great job to write this excellent book!

Alexandra & Cristina We liked to read the book. It was full of tension. Especially at the end when you didn't know if he will help the police and identify Kev or not, it was very drammaticaly. It's good that the book hasn't a happy ending. It woudln't fit because the topic isn't delightful too. But the hole book is written in great detail so that you don't expect such a fast ending. We would also like to know what will happen to Andrea and Moira. For us it was also interesting to get to know more about the political situation in Ireland. But we can't imagine that you always have to live in fear of the bombings of the IRA.