Reviews

Hear No Evil by Sarah Smith

bobbybluech's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

hillersg7's review

dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

heather_22's review

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

alisonannk's review

dark emotional informative mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Infertility, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Blood, Drug use, Grief, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Bullying

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

itstheconnorsbookclub's review

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

historic_chronicles's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Set during the 19th century, this deeply evocative novel follows the fictionalised account of a true story in which a young deaf woman named Jean Campbell is accused of infanticide.

A well considered slow-burn of a read, Smith presents a fascinating insight into the life of a deaf individual living in Scotland during the Regency Era.

While remarkably gentle with the prose, the novel still confronts some challenging topics head-on such as discrimination, disability, communication and gender - all of which leaves the reader with many thoughts to mull over long after the book has ended.

As a slow-burn, it did take some time for me to get into this novel. I found the jumping from perspectives to be a little confusing at the beginning but once I found my footing I found this an immersive piece of storytelling.

The beauty of the novel, in my opinion, was the captivating world-building. The descriptions of 19th century Scotland (flaws and all), including that of my home town in Edinburgh was beautifully translated, picking out vivid details I felt I could almost touch as the characters progressed on their journey.

A unique take on historical fiction,  this novel is one that I would recommend for those fascinated by true stories and the history of Scotland.

Thank you so much to the folk at @johnmurrays for offering me a copy of this book.