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taniabotes's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I listened to this on audio, and although I loved the narrator's voice and her pronunciation of the Ukrainian words, I'm a bit sad that I did not read it. The writing was beautiful, and I think I would have enjoyed reading this slow, sorrowful story more if I could savor it in my own time.
I loved the descriptions of the Ukrainian traditions , myths and the use of magical realism throughout the book. Nadya didn't feel like a fictional character, but like a real-life person - she made mistakes, had regrets, doubted herself, grieved and lived a mostly content life while doing all of this. Most of the books I've read about WWII ended where the protagonist is saved or the war ended, and somehow I always had the idea of ...and they all lived happily ever. Obviously this is mostly not the case, as you still have to deal with everything that happened to you and your loved ones, afterwards. This process is what is described in The Silence of Trees. The reason it does not get a higher rating is that the ending felt too perfect, for me it did not fit the rest of the book.
The Story: One night, sixteen year old Nadya decides to sneak out into the woods near her Ukraine home to have her fortune told by a Gypsy. Upon her return, she discovers that her house has been burned down by the invading Germans. Nadya flees, fearing that her family has been killed and that she may be next. From there, the novel flashes deep into the future to Chicago, where Nadya had grown up and is now the matriarch of her own family.
I listened to this on audio, and although I loved the narrator's voice and her pronunciation of the Ukrainian words, I'm a bit sad that I did not read it. The writing was beautiful, and I think I would have enjoyed reading this slow, sorrowful story more if I could savor it in my own time.
I loved the descriptions of the Ukrainian traditions , myths and the use of magical realism throughout the book. Nadya didn't feel like a fictional character, but like a real-life person - she made mistakes, had regrets, doubted herself, grieved and lived a mostly content life while doing all of this. Most of the books I've read about WWII ended where the protagonist is saved or the war ended, and somehow I always had the idea of ...and they all lived happily ever. Obviously this is mostly not the case, as you still have to deal with everything that happened to you and your loved ones, afterwards. This process is what is described in The Silence of Trees. The reason it does not get a higher rating is that the ending felt too perfect, for me it did not fit the rest of the book.
The Story: One night, sixteen year old Nadya decides to sneak out into the woods near her Ukraine home to have her fortune told by a Gypsy. Upon her return, she discovers that her house has been burned down by the invading Germans. Nadya flees, fearing that her family has been killed and that she may be next. From there, the novel flashes deep into the future to Chicago, where Nadya had grown up and is now the matriarch of her own family.
yurwity's review against another edition
2.0
The book had a slow start for me because I was so aware the entire time that I was getting A Story. A well told story, on the other hand, should make the reader forget that it is in fact a story. Some of Lupescu's writing tactics, such as the stories told by the narrator's Baba and the dialogue at the family table...fell flat. They were stilted. It was obvious where she was trying to direct the reader's attention.
However, there were a few things I did like. Some of the stories flowed smoothly with the story, and they were very intriguing. I enjoyed learning about traditional Ukrainian culture. I was also impressed and pleased that, for most of the story, the main character was elderly. Bold choice!
All in all, this story is cute and has a nice lesson about moving on/living in the present... but it wasn't the most impressive piece of writing I've ever seen by a long shot.
However, there were a few things I did like. Some of the stories flowed smoothly with the story, and they were very intriguing. I enjoyed learning about traditional Ukrainian culture. I was also impressed and pleased that, for most of the story, the main character was elderly. Bold choice!
All in all, this story is cute and has a nice lesson about moving on/living in the present... but it wasn't the most impressive piece of writing I've ever seen by a long shot.
jlroach1216's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book through the goodreads giveaway. I first entered to win this book because I was interested in it since it was about a Ukranian family. My grandparents were from a village in Western Ukraine and came to the States right before WWII so this book reminded me of them. They have since passed and I do not know a lot of what they had to go through to get to the U.S. I wish I knew more of their story and really enjoyed reading about Nadya's life journey.
rlbasley's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting book but what I got most from it was an older woman making peace with her troubled past and being able to move on finally and be happy.
astridusa's review
5.0
I cried, I learned and I connected with Nadya in this WWII historical novel set in the Ukraine. The author weaved magical realism, faith and Ukrainian myths, superstitions and rituals into a beautiful story. This was a quick read because I could not put it down. Recommended (The e-book is only 99 cents on kindle and nook).
mikeblyth's review
5.0
Wonderful psychological-relationship novel with a fascinating view of traditional Ukrainian culture. Beautifully written, deserves 5 1/2 stars!
kimmer99's review
4.0
You can read my review here: http://www.whatireallythink.net/the-silence-of-trees/
abbygarcia's review
5.0
Really interesting look into Ukranian life. They have so many interesting customs.
cathy1969's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of those books that I didn't want to end. Loved all the characters, Ukrainian history, superstitions & outcomes. I picked up this book actually based on the title, but thoroughly enjoyed the story of Nadya, her childhood in Ukraine & her life in America.
heather_may_redetzke's review against another edition
3.0
Mom's book. A solid little read, sad, nostalgic, beautiful. Not *amazing*, but worth the read.