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kpbq81's review
4.0
I had no idea what to expect when I first picked up this book. I thought it would be about Mormonism and evangelism and the quest to convert "non-believers." While I find that interesting as a perspective outside my own experience, I usually read it as a detached observer. But this book was about simply having faith. Mormonism as a religion was lightly touched upon but wasn't ever shoved in the reader's face.
While it's not a historical fiction, there is quite a bit of history about the Russian Revolution. The writing was not particularly elegant, but the descriptions of cold, despair, fatigue, anger and sadness were so realistic that I felt like I was there feeling chilled to the bone for lack of firewood, or completely hopeless for a change for the better.
The book didn't wow me on the surface but I've found that it sticks with me much more than I thought it would after finishing it. It's also made me more interested in Russian history. It's a good book to read when you want something substantial, but not preachy.
While it's not a historical fiction, there is quite a bit of history about the Russian Revolution. The writing was not particularly elegant, but the descriptions of cold, despair, fatigue, anger and sadness were so realistic that I felt like I was there feeling chilled to the bone for lack of firewood, or completely hopeless for a change for the better.
The book didn't wow me on the surface but I've found that it sticks with me much more than I thought it would after finishing it. It's also made me more interested in Russian history. It's a good book to read when you want something substantial, but not preachy.
twhittie's review
2.0
I couldn't get into this story, which was really disappointing because it seems like it was during a really cool part of history. The characters were flat and not very believable to me.
chanizzle's review
2.0
sigh... how disappointing. I had such high hopes for this book but in the end it only earned 2 stars in my book. "Based on an amazing true story of the only Latter-day Saint family living in St. Petersburg during the Bolshevik Revolution..." this is the reason I wanted to read this book. I don't feel this is the book I got: 1) Most of the story was about Natasha, the Russian Bolshevik friend of the family. I kept thinking, why are we focusing on her? I want to know about the Lindlof family and their experiences. 2) The small portion of the book that was left to the Lindlof family, while interesting, was not entirely factual. Now I know that obviously we don't know exactly what they might have said or done in different situations and so the author can choose how to represent that... but to actually change the outcome of the real story?! I finally finish the book (and I say finally because it was slow and hard to get through) and then I read the end notes to the final chapter and find out - nope that's not what really what happened: the Lindlof children are really in the Siberian camp for up to 10 years and 2 daughters die there... I guess you can say I get frustrated when a book says it's based on a true story but then changes a major part of the story. I think the tag line for this book should say, "this book was loosley inspired by the true story of the Lindlof family."
... Well, I just reread everything I wrote and I sound pretty angry... sorry I'm not angry. Honest. Just tired :)
I really like other books I've read by Gale Sears and would recommend her as an author to anyone who likes historical-fiction (ie. Autumn Sky and Until the Dawn). So, just fair warning that this book is different from what you expect. If you read it without any kind of expectations then you'll probably love it.
... Well, I just reread everything I wrote and I sound pretty angry... sorry I'm not angry. Honest. Just tired :)
I really like other books I've read by Gale Sears and would recommend her as an author to anyone who likes historical-fiction (ie. Autumn Sky and Until the Dawn). So, just fair warning that this book is different from what you expect. If you read it without any kind of expectations then you'll probably love it.
summer_mailee98's review
4.0
I’ve been thinking about what to say here ever since finishing this book.
First I want to say, it was written so beautifully. I loved every minute of reading The Silence of God. I don’t like history but I was so engaged and excited to read this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about moments in history but doesn’t enjoy reading about/learning about history very much.
The one thing that disappointed me a little was learning that the only characters in the book that were real (besides Lenin, Trotsky, etc) was the Lindlof family (the main characters). I was so sad to learn that the other people in the book weren’t real and that a lot of what happened to the lindlof family in the book didn’t happen in real life either. The main points happened, don’t worry.
However, I’m just a sentimental person and I was excited to learn more about the other people in the book. It’s not a factor that made me like the book any less.
This book definitely made me cry. I also felt the spirit so much while reading this book.
If you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but you want to learn more about the faith, I would recommend this book. It’s a fun way to learn more that doesn’t feel overwhelming. A lot of the book is actually from the perspective of someone who isn’t a member of the church but is a close family friend of the Lindlofs.
I highly recommend this book!
First I want to say, it was written so beautifully. I loved every minute of reading The Silence of God. I don’t like history but I was so engaged and excited to read this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about moments in history but doesn’t enjoy reading about/learning about history very much.
The one thing that disappointed me a little was learning that the only characters in the book that were real (besides Lenin, Trotsky, etc) was the Lindlof family (the main characters). I was so sad to learn that the other people in the book weren’t real and that a lot of what happened to the lindlof family in the book didn’t happen in real life either. The main points happened, don’t worry.
However, I’m just a sentimental person and I was excited to learn more about the other people in the book. It’s not a factor that made me like the book any less.
This book definitely made me cry. I also felt the spirit so much while reading this book.
If you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but you want to learn more about the faith, I would recommend this book. It’s a fun way to learn more that doesn’t feel overwhelming. A lot of the book is actually from the perspective of someone who isn’t a member of the church but is a close family friend of the Lindlofs.
I highly recommend this book!
sheritolley's review
4.0
This book is a story of one of the first LDS families in Russia during the revolution, and WWI. I really liked this book it made me thankful for the gospel and it really made me think of all the different kind of pioneers there have been over the years.
llkendrick's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, loved the premise of it. I just really struggled with the authors writing style. For me it was engaging and I never felt connect to the characters. What I enjoyed most was learning about Russian history since it's something that I'm not very familiar with. Undecided if I'd recommend it.
kwhiz84's review
5.0
Could not put the book down. I fell in love with the characters and I was captivated by the stories of the revolution and just how far God was from the hearts of many of the people. Gave me a perspective that I had never really seen before. Great book!
elsiebrady's review
4.0
I'm rating it a 3.5 to 4 star. I enjoyed the history within the story of a true family.
misdawnty's review
3.0
Really, more like 3 1/2 stars. This book was....sad. It took me a while to get into it. I had a hard time following the Russian politics at the beginning. But when it became more about the characters it was harder to put down.
It's about the first LDS family in Russia during the revolution in 1917 and what they endured because of their religion. It's historical fiction but the author put notes at the end of the chapters because much of it was based on reality. There's a subplot following one of the LDS girls best friends who is a writer for the Bolsheviks so we're able to see into the Marx/Lenin revolution at the same time.
She did give the Lindlof's a slightly better outcome than what is actually known about them and she does end on a note of hope, but even then, it was so sad. Especially considering the blessing that Elder Lyman gave to Russia in the early 1900's and knowing that missionaries weren't allowed to enter the country until the 1990's. Such a long time of oppression.
Going into this I really didn't know anything about Russian history so I did learn quite a bit.
So...interesting, but sad. But still worth reading I think.
It's about the first LDS family in Russia during the revolution in 1917 and what they endured because of their religion. It's historical fiction but the author put notes at the end of the chapters because much of it was based on reality. There's a subplot following one of the LDS girls best friends who is a writer for the Bolsheviks so we're able to see into the Marx/Lenin revolution at the same time.
She did give the Lindlof's a slightly better outcome than what is actually known about them and she does end on a note of hope, but even then, it was so sad. Especially considering the blessing that Elder Lyman gave to Russia in the early 1900's and knowing that missionaries weren't allowed to enter the country until the 1990's. Such a long time of oppression.
Going into this I really didn't know anything about Russian history so I did learn quite a bit.
So...interesting, but sad. But still worth reading I think.