Scan barcode
lindseyslittlelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy Heather's books. This on is about a little girl who has stopped talking. You get to experience the story from a number of characters. The first half was a little slow but it quickly recovered for an action packed ending.
life_full_ofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This has been on my TBR for 9 years and I jumped at the chance to finally listen to it, especially when I saw it was a full cast recording. The beginning sucked me in but it started fizzling out towards the middle and while there was one gasp out loud moment towards the end, it wasn’t anything that turned this around for me.
Calli Clark is 7 years old and, to the curiosity of everyone around her, she hasn’t spoken a word in 3 years. Petra Gregory, also 7, lives across the street and is not only Calli’s best friend, but also her voice. Both the Clark and Gregory families wake up to discover that both girls are missing. While the police and the feds are called in, Petra’s father and Calli’s brother take to the woods to find the girls. What they find there changes both families forever and makes the parents rethink every decision they’ve made in the past.
Part suspense, part family drama, The Weight of Silence is told from the point of view of 6 characters. Each character gives us deeper insight into both what’s going on in the moment and what events of the past has brought them to where they are now.
While I enjoyed the characters of Calli and Petra, I had a very hard time imagining them 7 years old. Petra’s parts are written first person, and it doesn’t really read like a 7 year old is doing the talking.
As I stated earlier, I found the beginning to be fascinating, but the middle of the book kind of stalled out, and the end felt rushed. It just seemed like the ending wasn’t really flushed out and was just tossed in quickly as a way to finish it and while it was just ok to begin with, the ending did nothing to enhance it.
nancykorb's review against another edition
4.0
Calli Clark is mute. We find out why in this book. Her best friend Petra goes missing. Who has kidnapped her and why did they do it. Everyone tries to get Calli to speak. Calli has secrets she is afraid to share about her past. Ben tries to entice his sister to talk now that Petra is missing. The sheriff needs to find out. The Sheriff is also remembering the past with Calli's mother. Martin who is Petra's dad has to deal with his missing daughter and the hatred he feels for the person responsible.
g_d_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
haugh's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay. Not too predictable and suspenseful, but I'm wary of any novel that demonstrates exploitation of young girls.
thewallflower00's review against another edition
3.0
I had immediate sympathy for the main character before I opened to page one, because she suffers from selective mutism (not mutantism, which is something different. Learn the difference between the two or you will be sorely disappointed). I have a form of mutism wherein I simply have nothing to say, and everyone thinks I'm mute. But we're not here to talk about me.
My biggest problem with the novel is that it goes against good writing choices, and not in the "I know the rules so I can break the rules" way. There's a prologue which is totally unnecessary and only confuses the reader. And the prologue is actually a scene in the middle of the book, so it spoils as it repeats. It introduces characters before they're introduced and does nothing to enhance the story.
Then the main plot keeps getting shoved to the background so that it can tell the stories of all the peripheral characters. The perspective switches each chapter, which is fine, except that instead of focusing on what they do during the present day, they keep ruminating on all the crap that happened in the past -- all their relationships, all their mistakes and regrets that really don't have anything to do with the story. Instead of finding the missing child, we hear about how the deputy and the mother were once romantically involved, until, for no good reason whatsoever, she married an stereotypical alcoholic trucker redneck. Everyone's so busy remembering, the story stands in the middle, being unresolved. It's exactly what they say not to do in writing.
Also, how did the mom who was so sweet and apparently raised correctly enough to be ready marry a sweet, college-bound guy, end up marrying an alcoholic named Griff. Her past does not reconcile to her future, and as an avid Loveline listener, I know these things. Always avoid people named Griff. Remember: Cafe 80's, guy named Griff, just say no.
The story is not terribly complex. It seems like a beach or airplane read. It's a simple story more focused on memories and memoir-based vignettes. The ending is not particularly thrilling and everything wraps up in a neat little package by the end. The bad guy dies. The mute becomes unmute. And everyone gets what they want. I didn't feel like anyone changed by the end of the story. Their mistakes were obvious to me, but it didn't look like anyone learned anything from the experience. So it's hard whether to recommend a read or a skip for this one.
My biggest problem with the novel is that it goes against good writing choices, and not in the "I know the rules so I can break the rules" way. There's a prologue which is totally unnecessary and only confuses the reader. And the prologue is actually a scene in the middle of the book, so it spoils as it repeats. It introduces characters before they're introduced and does nothing to enhance the story.
Then the main plot keeps getting shoved to the background so that it can tell the stories of all the peripheral characters. The perspective switches each chapter, which is fine, except that instead of focusing on what they do during the present day, they keep ruminating on all the crap that happened in the past -- all their relationships, all their mistakes and regrets that really don't have anything to do with the story. Instead of finding the missing child, we hear about how the deputy and the mother were once romantically involved, until, for no good reason whatsoever, she married an stereotypical alcoholic trucker redneck. Everyone's so busy remembering, the story stands in the middle, being unresolved. It's exactly what they say not to do in writing.
Also, how did the mom who was so sweet and apparently raised correctly enough to be ready marry a sweet, college-bound guy, end up marrying an alcoholic named Griff. Her past does not reconcile to her future, and as an avid Loveline listener, I know these things. Always avoid people named Griff. Remember: Cafe 80's, guy named Griff, just say no.
The story is not terribly complex. It seems like a beach or airplane read. It's a simple story more focused on memories and memoir-based vignettes. The ending is not particularly thrilling and everything wraps up in a neat little package by the end. The bad guy dies. The mute becomes unmute. And everyone gets what they want. I didn't feel like anyone changed by the end of the story. Their mistakes were obvious to me, but it didn't look like anyone learned anything from the experience. So it's hard whether to recommend a read or a skip for this one.
justlily's review against another edition
4.0
With so many different angles and points of view used in this story, you would think it'd become confusing at some point but this is never the case. The author uses most everyone involved and still manages to move the story at the perfect pace, with always perfectly balanced amounts of questions and answers.
It will keep you guessing at, maybe not the main storyline, but at something, the whole way through. Just a really solid mystery told through many interesting characters.
It will keep you guessing at, maybe not the main storyline, but at something, the whole way through. Just a really solid mystery told through many interesting characters.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
3.0
Recently discovering talented author, Heather Gudenkauf, after reading her latest book, LITTLE MERCIES, a social worker who finds herself living her own nightmare—a powerful "must read," 5-Star Winner! Every woman, mother, and daughter will relate to this gripping and emotionally charged novel. In addition, would also recommend, LITTLE LIES, a novella which I also found very engaging!
Ironically after reading Gudenkauf’s latest two releases, decided to go back to read Book #1 THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE, her debut novel, and work my way through the books I missed.
I listened to the audiobook, since I was traveling and found the narrators: Jim Colby, Eliza Foss, Cassandra Morris, Andy Paris, Therese Plummer, and Tony Wardors, very true to the character, each with their own unique voice, making it a little easier to keep up with all the voices.
As with another one of my favorite authors, Diane Chamberlain—I just finished her latest ARC #23 The Silent Sister, and then went back to read her debut novel this week (25th anniversary edition); and YES, both Heather and Diane are talented writers. By reading their latest books, and then going back years previously to read their debut, you can see how their writing has matured and changed (even better).
This is not to say the first, is not good, as both respective authors received many awards for their debut novels--highly commendable; however, both authors have demonstrated strong growth, and perfected their writing style along the way. (plus, they both write about social workers, which is a special favorite subject of mine)!
WEIGHT OF SILENCE begins with the disappearance of two 7-yr old girls, Calli and Petra, as they vanish from their separate homes in the wee hours of a hot Iowa night/morning. They live in an isolated area that is surrounded by woods. Calli Clark is a selective mute -- she hasn't spoken a word since a tragedy she witnessed at age 4. Her best friend, Petra Gregory, is her voice and has protected Callie since they met.
Although Callie's silence is not her choice, it is the willful keeping of secrets and lies of omission by all the characters---the events that bring about the unbearable weight of silence.
Shifting from past to present with each of the characters—Callie’s experience, Petra her best friend, Martin-Petra’s father, Antonia-Callie’s mother and Ben-Calli’s brother. There is also a voice Deputy Sherriff Louis who had a former relationship with Antonia, before she married Griff.
Meanwhile readers learn the secrets of Callie's mother, her brother Ben and Deputy Sheriff Louis--each carry their own thoughts of guilt; things said or left unsaid—each confront as the truths unfold.
Petra's father battles his own demons as he confronts the possible loss of a daughter, as he is desperate to find his child. Martin is forced to confront a side of himself he did not know existed beneath his intellectual, professorial demeanor.
The audiobook told in voices of each of the five characters, tells the story of a search, and the ghosts and secrets which haunt them. A riveting novel diving deeply into family dynamics and relationships.
Looking forward to reading more from one of my new favorite authors! 3.5 Stars
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/923085/the-weight-of-silence
Ironically after reading Gudenkauf’s latest two releases, decided to go back to read Book #1 THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE, her debut novel, and work my way through the books I missed.
I listened to the audiobook, since I was traveling and found the narrators: Jim Colby, Eliza Foss, Cassandra Morris, Andy Paris, Therese Plummer, and Tony Wardors, very true to the character, each with their own unique voice, making it a little easier to keep up with all the voices.
As with another one of my favorite authors, Diane Chamberlain—I just finished her latest ARC #23 The Silent Sister, and then went back to read her debut novel this week (25th anniversary edition); and YES, both Heather and Diane are talented writers. By reading their latest books, and then going back years previously to read their debut, you can see how their writing has matured and changed (even better).
This is not to say the first, is not good, as both respective authors received many awards for their debut novels--highly commendable; however, both authors have demonstrated strong growth, and perfected their writing style along the way. (plus, they both write about social workers, which is a special favorite subject of mine)!
WEIGHT OF SILENCE begins with the disappearance of two 7-yr old girls, Calli and Petra, as they vanish from their separate homes in the wee hours of a hot Iowa night/morning. They live in an isolated area that is surrounded by woods. Calli Clark is a selective mute -- she hasn't spoken a word since a tragedy she witnessed at age 4. Her best friend, Petra Gregory, is her voice and has protected Callie since they met.
Although Callie's silence is not her choice, it is the willful keeping of secrets and lies of omission by all the characters---the events that bring about the unbearable weight of silence.
Shifting from past to present with each of the characters—Callie’s experience, Petra her best friend, Martin-Petra’s father, Antonia-Callie’s mother and Ben-Calli’s brother. There is also a voice Deputy Sherriff Louis who had a former relationship with Antonia, before she married Griff.
Meanwhile readers learn the secrets of Callie's mother, her brother Ben and Deputy Sheriff Louis--each carry their own thoughts of guilt; things said or left unsaid—each confront as the truths unfold.
Petra's father battles his own demons as he confronts the possible loss of a daughter, as he is desperate to find his child. Martin is forced to confront a side of himself he did not know existed beneath his intellectual, professorial demeanor.
The audiobook told in voices of each of the five characters, tells the story of a search, and the ghosts and secrets which haunt them. A riveting novel diving deeply into family dynamics and relationships.
Looking forward to reading more from one of my new favorite authors! 3.5 Stars
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/923085/the-weight-of-silence