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Book Review: The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
August 24th, 2009
The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf is a riveting mixture of family drama, mystery and suspense in the form of an abduction and the regrets we all feel from those decisions we sometimes make that end up impacting our whole lives. This novel kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages as fast as I could to find out how in the world it would end.
It is the early hours of the morning when Calli awakens and really has to use the bathroom. However she can hear that her father hasn’t left yet for his fishing trip and she wants to avoid him. She just can’t hold it though so she’s going to try and sneak by him. Unfortunately it doesn’t work and he calls her out on the porch. He gets angry with her as he does so often and decides to haul her out into the woods. You might wonder why Calli doesn’t yell out for her mother but you see she can’t – she suffers from selective mutism.
When Calli is four years old she and her family suffer a unimaginable tragedy which causes Calli to stop talking. Calli though has a friend in Petra. With Petra she doesn’t have to talk; Petra always seems to know what Calli is thinking or needing and she essentially becomes Calli’s voice. So, on the morning that Calli gets taken into the woods by her alcoholic father, Petra is at her bedroom window and sees someone going into the woods. Is it Calli and her father she sees or is it someone else? Whoever it is that Petra sees going into the woods causes her to leave the house in her pajamas to catch up to them which leads to two missing girls – Calli and Petra.
The Weight of Silence is told in several alternating viewpoints -Calli’s, Petra’s, Antonia (Calli’s mother), Ben (Calli’s brother), Martin (Petra’s father) and Deputy Sheriff Louis. Even with all these alternating voices the story is not confusing or jumbled. It flows from beginning to end as it builds up to the heart pounding ending. The only thing I would say is that I wish there would have been more from both Calli and Petra. When their sections ended I was always left with wanting more from that part of the story.
This is a debut novel for Heather Gudenkauf and if this novel is any indication then she is an author to watch. As I said this was a hard one to put down. It is written in such a way that you feel you are in the story, you are feeling the drama unfold around you and you are desperately wanting to know what the conclusion will be. The Weight of Silence would make a wonderful book club pick as well. There are so many issues ranging from alcoholism to abuse and family dynamics.
Please be sure to pop by Heather Gudenkauf’s website here and you can pick up The Weight of Silence here in the US and here in Canada. I read this novel for Heather’s TLC Book Tour so thank you so much Trish with TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to read this great book. Make sure to check out all the tour stops for The Weight of Silence here. As well You can buy The Weight of Silence at a discount! Use the coupon code SILENCE10 at eharlequin.com for 10% off of The Weight of Silence, and this is effective August 1 – September 15 at eHQ for print or digital.
I’m going to leave you with the book trailer for The Weight of Silence. Enjoy…
Great review, Dar! This sounds like something I'd love to read. Very intriguing!
Lovely review.
Sounds like a good book, but I fear the sadness in there. What happened. But I do like a book that an make you feel like you're right there. All can't do that.
Great review, Dar! This one sounds really good. Lots of mystery and suspense.
So nice to visit you again. I do love your blog
You don't necessarily get the depth of the storyline from its cover, do you? I'm liking the sound of it though!
Might be a little too intense for me, I have real problems reading about kids being abducted. I read The Shack and cried through the abduction bit.
Sounds like an intense but good read.
Your review makes me want to read the book right now. Nice review. But reading such books can be emotionally draining ..
This looks horribly disturbing … and impossible to resist. Beautiful review!
Nothing like a good book that keeps you rivited! The cover reminds me of another great read: The Way the Crow Flies.
Not sure if I could make it through this one due to the subject. Thanks for the review!
I'm really looking forward to reading this one.
Great review Dar. I can't wait to read this one.
I'm so glad you liked the book as much as I did! I'm also excited to see so many people getting excited about the book.
I agree about Heather Gudenkauf being an author to watch. When an author comes out with something like THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE as their debut novel, I can't wait to see what she writes in a few years!
Thanks for participating in the tour, Dar, and writing such a thoughtful review!
This one sounds so good! I have added it to my PBS wish list. Great review!
Hi Darlene, I have an award for you over here.
I've read a couple of great reviews of this book, and I am really interested in getting a chance to read it. I like the selective mutism plot element, and think a lot could be done with that creatively. Great review.
Thank you for the wonderful review of my book The Weight of Silence! I'm so glad that you commented on the special friendship between Calli and Petra. It really brings to mind those critical friendships of childhood and how one friend can make all the difference in the world.
Now you have got me intrigued Dar. I love the sound of this!
Dar–you write such wonderful reviews, always painting a great picture of what the book is like. I love books with alternating view points, so I'll definitely be on the look out for this one.
Thanks for the review. I have this one on its way to me.
I wrote about the same one this week. Like you, I loved it and couldn't put it down! Excellent review! You have such a knack of picking out just the right hints to make a book sound intriguing.
Great review. Now, I'm wondering how it ends and I haven't even picke dit up yet.
Wow Great review AND great blog! I am now a follower!
sold Sold SOLD.. sounds like a good one Dar. I want to read it. "edge of your seat" is great. Thanks for the review.
Fantastic review Dar, this is going on my wishlist immediately.
Thanks for the introduction to this new author
Good review Dar, you make this one sound very interesting, I'm intrigued.
There seems to be so much more to this book, than at first it seems.
Thanks for sharing,
Sassy
I'm on the fence about reading this one. Typically I avoid books that focus on abuse. But you've tweaked my interest.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I just read this book as well Dar and posted my review today. I am one that finds it hard to read books related to abduction but this book is about SO much more. I agree with your comments about the book, the story of the girls friendship was amazing. It's truly a book that is hard to put down and very well written.
Loved your review on this Dar!! I can't wait to read my copy now!!!
This always sounded good to me and after your review I'm definitely reading it now! I hate the thought of anything happening to children though but I'd rather read it in a story than real life. I taught a student that had selective mutism and it was fascinating to see how his world worked and how he managed. The other kids in the class covered for him a lot and he whispered to some of them to communicate. He did outgrow it but it took years and it was very frustrating at times. I always wondered what really led to his problems but I suspect it had something to do with an overbearing father. Thanks for another great review!
Great review. This does sound like a page turner.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
That's pretty impressive for a debut book. Great review, Dar!
I linked to this review on my blog. Thanks for inspiring me to read the book!
I've read a lot of good things about this book. I definitely want to read it!
Great review! I have this one on my TBR list. It looks good, but a bit sad, so I may put it off for a while.
I keep hearing great things about this one. I finally broke down and added it to my WL.
I keep hearing excellent things about this book. My husband saw it in the bookstore and made it one of his nominations for November's book club.
I guess we're in for a real treat if it is selected.