Customer Reviews

This Wild Silence: A Novel

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As one reviewer already said, this novel will haunt you--and make you wish you knew how to build a snow cave. At least then you could save yourself in a winter storm in the Sierras (the descriptions of the mountains are equisite) because you can't save yourself from your past, from your family, from emotions as big as a mountain storm. The inner and outer maps are so clear, so rich that I fell into this book and could not put it down. The balance--of thrilling plot, complex characters, beautiful scenery (not all wilderness--SF is also wonderfully described) is a knockout. I was already a Lucy Jane Bledsoe fan, and this book is her writing, intelligence and strength at it's finest.

Once I started this book (which I bought to give as a gift to my sister) it haunted me--and over a period of three days I stole away from other tasks to devour it. Beautifully written and so thought-provoking...the layers that are peeled away, to a core of honesty, made me think a lot about my own life with my family. As a writer myself I was humbled by this excellent portrayal of a family in crisis--and stirred by the resiliance displayed. Strongly recommend.

I read this book several months ago and the story is still rattling around in my head. This book is a thoughtful look at the lies we tell ourselves when we don't want to face an awful, gut-wrenching truth. Its also a fascinating look at the bond between the "big sister/little sister" relationship.

The author vividly recreates the cold snowy setting that the sisters find themselves in when the truth is finally revealed to us and to themselves. Another reviewer described the book as "haunting." In this instance, the haunting isn't a ghost but the story itself lingers long after the book is closed.

2003 Lambda Literary Awards Finalist in Lesbian Fiction

"This Wild Silence" shows that Lucy Jane Bledsoe has a way with words, as shown by the beautiful imagery and the descriptions of the wilderness, and that she knows how to write as the narrative effortlessly jumps from the present to the past. This is a character-driven narrative about secrets and lies and the refusal to face the truth. The story is told from the point of view of Christine, whose life has been shaped around the incident, thirty years in the past, surrounding the disappearance of Timothy, her younger brother. And that is the main weakness of the book. Christine is not a compelling and attractive character. And just like Christine has trouble connecting to other people, the reader also faces a problem connecting with most of the characters in this book. Also, the plot wanders aimlessly, and when you read Christine referring her brother to her sister for the umpteenth time you start wondering why the story and the characters do not move forward. Unfortunately, when they do it doesn't ring as true. Lucy Jane Bledsoe has obviously talent. Maybe she will show it better in another book.

I really got into this novel. The book is beautifully written. Having two sisters of my own I loved the family dynamic and the author got that relationship spot on. I loved how the story unfolded in bits and pieces, much like real life when meeting someone for the first time. Excellent story you won't let go of soon. SusanB was a great character!

Looking forward to reading the author's other books:

The Big Bang Symphony -
Working Parts
Heat Wave
Lesbian Travels
Sweat, Stories and a Novella