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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
nice suspense but ending disappointed
This started slow, so I left it for another book. But when I came back to it, it picked up and became a really good read. A little (okay a lot) unbelievable. I didn't understand the mother's motivation. I would have done anything to keep my child safe, but this mother seemed to make so many choices that put Ruby in harm's way. But then there would be no plot. It was a good read, and I am sure not my last Lupton novel.
Lupton is one of my favourite authors that I have discovered lately.
Brought to Alaska after her husband goes missing, Yasmin and her young deaf daughter go on a journey, searching the frozen wilderness but they aren’t alone.
When I first read the short synopsis of this psychological thrilled book, I was instantly hooked but as I made my way through the book, I was quite disappointed.
What I liked about this book was the uniqueness of it. While certainly lead by an underlying propaganda tone, a wife desperate to find her husband takes her deaf daughter into the wilderness, having never been before, with no experience in such environmental conditions, and with everyone telling her to turn back. While entirely implausible (part of the reason it didn’t rate higher) I was pulled through till the end to find out what happened – it kept me guessing until the end. I also really liked the young character for the uniqueness that she brought to the story. Having learned sign language in college, I was strongly pulled into that aspect of the story as well.
But, let’s talk about the end (no spoilers) – While I had strong opinions about a mother who takes her 10-year old daughter into life threatening situations just because she’s insecure about her marriage, the story took a leap at the end that left me thinking, “yeah… right. I’m done with this book.” As the story progressed, while I wanted to know what happened to the family, it took more of a preachy tone (you’ll understand if you read it) that bordered on boring.
Overall, it was a fine book and rated right in the middle. I would recommend it to anyone who may be pulled into the story for the same reason I was – psychological thriller, unique character, well developed atmosphere.
Please note: I received this book for free in return for my honest opinion. All words and opinions expressed are my own.
When I first read the short synopsis of this psychological thrilled book, I was instantly hooked but as I made my way through the book, I was quite disappointed.
What I liked about this book was the uniqueness of it. While certainly lead by an underlying propaganda tone, a wife desperate to find her husband takes her deaf daughter into the wilderness, having never been before, with no experience in such environmental conditions, and with everyone telling her to turn back. While entirely implausible (part of the reason it didn’t rate higher) I was pulled through till the end to find out what happened – it kept me guessing until the end. I also really liked the young character for the uniqueness that she brought to the story. Having learned sign language in college, I was strongly pulled into that aspect of the story as well.
But, let’s talk about the end (no spoilers) – While I had strong opinions about a mother who takes her 10-year old daughter into life threatening situations just because she’s insecure about her marriage, the story took a leap at the end that left me thinking, “yeah… right. I’m done with this book.” As the story progressed, while I wanted to know what happened to the family, it took more of a preachy tone (you’ll understand if you read it) that bordered on boring.
Overall, it was a fine book and rated right in the middle. I would recommend it to anyone who may be pulled into the story for the same reason I was – psychological thriller, unique character, well developed atmosphere.
Please note: I received this book for free in return for my honest opinion. All words and opinions expressed are my own.
I received this book from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
I struggled with this book. The last half was better than the first. The first half was just too slow for me. I found this book very far fetched and disjointed.
I struggled with this book. The last half was better than the first. The first half was just too slow for me. I found this book very far fetched and disjointed.
I liked this one — a lot! — right up until the last two pages. You know my old refrain; “Where is the epilogue?!”
I’m pretty sure I felt like Ross felt in the closing episode of Friends. Remember? Rachel is about to leave for Paris and Ross rushes to the airport to tell her he loves her. She gets on the plane and he goes home devastated, only to find a message from her realizing she loves him and trying to get off the plane, when the message cuts off. Poor Ross is left crying out…
“Did she get off the plane?!”
Ross got his answer...but I’m still wondering — WHAT JUST HAPPENED and DID EVERYONE DIE? I have no idea if anyone survives. I need Rachel to walk through the door and tell me what happened!
Until that point, I really enjoyed the book. It was suspenseful and kept me reading. The descriptions of arctic survival were fascinating (though nothing I’d want to try). I really liked the characters of the various ice road truck drivers that were willing to help Yasmin navigate the arctic. Though they were suspicious of Yasmin and her ability to handle the big rig, they were also concerned and willing to help when they could.
For my book club however, the book was not such a success. Though we did find discussion points, as a group we struggled with Yasmin’s decision to put her daughter’s life in danger with no proof that her husband was even alive. And like me, many were confused by the ending. Some are convinced everyone is dead and others are more optimistic. I just wish we had an epilogue to clear it all up!
My Rating: ✰✰✰✰ 4 Stars
Bookclub Rating: ✰✰✰ 3 Stars
I’m pretty sure I felt like Ross felt in the closing episode of Friends. Remember? Rachel is about to leave for Paris and Ross rushes to the airport to tell her he loves her. She gets on the plane and he goes home devastated, only to find a message from her realizing she loves him and trying to get off the plane, when the message cuts off. Poor Ross is left crying out…
“Did she get off the plane?!”
Ross got his answer...but I’m still wondering — WHAT JUST HAPPENED and DID EVERYONE DIE? I have no idea if anyone survives. I need Rachel to walk through the door and tell me what happened!
Until that point, I really enjoyed the book. It was suspenseful and kept me reading. The descriptions of arctic survival were fascinating (though nothing I’d want to try). I really liked the characters of the various ice road truck drivers that were willing to help Yasmin navigate the arctic. Though they were suspicious of Yasmin and her ability to handle the big rig, they were also concerned and willing to help when they could.
For my book club however, the book was not such a success. Though we did find discussion points, as a group we struggled with Yasmin’s decision to put her daughter’s life in danger with no proof that her husband was even alive. And like me, many were confused by the ending. Some are convinced everyone is dead and others are more optimistic. I just wish we had an epilogue to clear it all up!
My Rating: ✰✰✰✰ 4 Stars
Bookclub Rating: ✰✰✰ 3 Stars
This was book was sent to me via the First to Read program.
THE QUALITY OF SILENCE by Rosamund Lipton
I have enjoyed the previous two novels of Lipton's and was eager to read this current one, however I was disappointed. I would give this book 3/5 stars. This book while having some elements at the same level fell short in character development. This is a story of Ruby who is deaf and her mother Yasmin who travel from England to Alaska to visit their father/ husband Matt who is a wildlife photographer in the Artic Circle area. When they arrive in Alaska they are told Matt and all the villagers in the remote area are dead due to a fire. Yasmin and Ruby set out to discover the truth and must travel the ice roads in perpetual night with a very real threat following behind. I found Ruby to be a delight. Her tweets of words and how they must taste was a unique perspective on language. Her determination to use only sign language and assistive technology and not her voice gave her mother fits but fit with this stubborn child forming her own path in life. I found both Yasmin and Matt to be utterly frustrating characters. Yasmin studied astrophysics, but gave it all up when Ruby was born deaf and while advocating for her daughter does so in such a way that infuriates Ruby and gets both of them nowhere. Matt has a job that takes him away from home and so Yasmin resents that when he is around Ruby sees him as a "good time Charlie". Though Matt is better for Ruby because he takes her wanting to sign exclusively in stride and helps her in using technology to communicate to the larger hearing world. The parents are the two characters I felt lacking. Right at first, I did not like Captain Grayling either, although I understand that a search for someone can only take away manpower and resources for so many days before results or a halt to activities is required. He redeemed himself at the end by approaching Ruby with humbleness and sincerity. All in all a good read but not as strong as Lipton's other works.
THE QUALITY OF SILENCE by Rosamund Lipton
I have enjoyed the previous two novels of Lipton's and was eager to read this current one, however I was disappointed. I would give this book 3/5 stars. This book while having some elements at the same level fell short in character development. This is a story of Ruby who is deaf and her mother Yasmin who travel from England to Alaska to visit their father/ husband Matt who is a wildlife photographer in the Artic Circle area. When they arrive in Alaska they are told Matt and all the villagers in the remote area are dead due to a fire. Yasmin and Ruby set out to discover the truth and must travel the ice roads in perpetual night with a very real threat following behind. I found Ruby to be a delight. Her tweets of words and how they must taste was a unique perspective on language. Her determination to use only sign language and assistive technology and not her voice gave her mother fits but fit with this stubborn child forming her own path in life. I found both Yasmin and Matt to be utterly frustrating characters. Yasmin studied astrophysics, but gave it all up when Ruby was born deaf and while advocating for her daughter does so in such a way that infuriates Ruby and gets both of them nowhere. Matt has a job that takes him away from home and so Yasmin resents that when he is around Ruby sees him as a "good time Charlie". Though Matt is better for Ruby because he takes her wanting to sign exclusively in stride and helps her in using technology to communicate to the larger hearing world. The parents are the two characters I felt lacking. Right at first, I did not like Captain Grayling either, although I understand that a search for someone can only take away manpower and resources for so many days before results or a halt to activities is required. He redeemed himself at the end by approaching Ruby with humbleness and sincerity. All in all a good read but not as strong as Lipton's other works.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was okay but the ending wasn't as good as [b:Sister|8196732|Sister|Rosamund Lupton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320189763s/8196732.jpg|13043611]. But mind you, Sister is one of my fav books :)
This blog summed up my feelings: http://livetoreadreadtolive.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/review-quality-of-silence.html
This blog summed up my feelings: http://livetoreadreadtolive.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/review-quality-of-silence.html
5 stars from me!
Having read and adored Sister by Rosamund Lupton I was absolutely delighted to receive a copy of the Quality of Silence.
Although the two books are literally nothing alike, they are both totally engrossing and The Quality of Silence is quite enchanting.
I also found myself really quite interested in the fracking element of the storyline, I now need to go and do some googling and see how much of it was true.
The relationship Ruby has with each of her parents is really beautiful, made more so by her deafness and how they deal with it. It seemed to me that the unthinkable journey brought a new level of closeness between Ruby and her mum, which was charming to follow.
Yes, some elements (not wishing to give any spoilers, let’s just say the journey) are a little unbelievable – however, it was all so elquently written and so perfectly put that I found myself captivated anyway.
Beautiful book from cover to cover and I heartily recommend it – along with Sister if you haven’t already read that.
Having read and adored Sister by Rosamund Lupton I was absolutely delighted to receive a copy of the Quality of Silence.
Although the two books are literally nothing alike, they are both totally engrossing and The Quality of Silence is quite enchanting.
I also found myself really quite interested in the fracking element of the storyline, I now need to go and do some googling and see how much of it was true.
The relationship Ruby has with each of her parents is really beautiful, made more so by her deafness and how they deal with it. It seemed to me that the unthinkable journey brought a new level of closeness between Ruby and her mum, which was charming to follow.
Yes, some elements (not wishing to give any spoilers, let’s just say the journey) are a little unbelievable – however, it was all so elquently written and so perfectly put that I found myself captivated anyway.
Beautiful book from cover to cover and I heartily recommend it – along with Sister if you haven’t already read that.