Reviews

At points reflective, macabre, and gothic, The Silence Factory was a delicately spun story about silence, belonging, and purpose. I appreciated Collins’ poetic prose, as usual, and also how I’m never quite sure just how grounded in reality we are as we flit between metaphor and reality. The premise of the mystical spiders was also very unique, and I appreciated that they never became too caricatured (ie. never too ridiculously cartoonish or villainous). I wish we could have learned more about Sir Edward and his wife, but I thought Henry was an interesting character to read the book through. Personally, I felt that Sophia’s diary entries didn’t actually add that much to the story, and would have preferred more time given to the present day. Nonetheless, I was very much caught in the web of this novel, and would recommend to anyone who likes historical fantasy, magical realism, and gothic settings.

thelunalibrarian's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.5

bedsidetabletales's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

dreamyescapist's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

2.5

sharnibee's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.5

I wasn't quite sure what to make of the opening pages - and wasn't immediately convinced that I wanted to read a book featuring carnivorous spiders - but soon enough the narrative moves on to Henry - who is such a wet cat of a man. The level of delusions that this man went through, first because he thought the silk and the silence it bought with it was amazing (and a relief against all the things he was determined not to think about - namely the recent death of his wife in childbirth) and then because he was seduced by the fickle attention of Sir Edward and the opulent lifestyle that being in the employ of a successful silk merchant could bring. It took me much longer to warm to the chapters devoted to Sophia's diary - but as the events in both time periods started to mingle, I honestly could not look away.

One of the things I most admire most about Bridget Collin's writing is the way that I never have a firm grasp on where the story might go - the hold that the last 100 pages had on me - I just had to know what happened - and while I really liked the ending (even if one character did perhaps get off a bit easy) - I felt like i couldn't breath until I knew the fate of Henry.

chaniaclare's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

The two narrations circling around each other made for a great timing of the exposition, however at parts was a little too self reflective and repetitive

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