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A review by emmasbookishself
The Whispers by Ashley Audrain
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A suburban drama at its finest!
What’s said and done behind closed doors isn’t just your secret when you live in a closely housed community.
It all starts with a fabulous party hosted by Whitney Loverly and her husband Jacob! The guest list includes a few neighbours like Blair and Aiden, Ben and Rebecca, Mara, other moms and many acquaintances.
The party becomes a standstill when Whitney is overheard screaming atrocities at her son, Xavier. Her non so perfect life is revealed in a startling way.
Nine month later and Xavier is found outside her bedroom window, as if he’d fallen out.
Was it an accident? Could Whitney’s rage have gotten the better of her this time?
It’s natural with any trauma that the family and those close to the family will be asked questions to ensure it was an accident. In a small closely housed community things will have been seen and heard, outside of the outburst that happened at the party… will anyone share what they’ve seen or heard?
Blair is having difficulties of her own, her marriage isn’t great, her daughter Chloe is devastated about Xavier and she’s convincing herself that her husband is cheating on her with none other than Whitney.
Rebecca and Ben have been trying desperately for a baby, and has suffered many miscarriages. Rebecca works at the hospital that Xavier was taken to and has kept a close eye on his case. She also knows about that night at the party… should she bring it up?
She’s keeping a secret of her own right now, after Ben stating he was done trying for a baby. Around that time Ben started visiting Xavier, playing softball but keeping it from Rebecca.
Mara lives right next door to the Loverly family and Xavier reminds her so much of her own son, with all his peculiar behaviours. They spend time together that’s peaceful and understanding. She gifts him with an old airplane that was once her sons, which Xavier treasures.
Blair, Whitney, Rebecca and Mara are all neighbours but for the most part that’s the main tie to their relationships. Whitney and Blair are closer but Blair tends to keep her secrets close.
With heavy character narrative the events surrounding Xavier’s accident are told in a week long timeline with some chapters from the past describing bits of the women’s lives that help the reader understand why they’ve become the way they are.
Intense. Distressing. Character Driven.
What’s said and done behind closed doors isn’t just your secret when you live in a closely housed community.
It all starts with a fabulous party hosted by Whitney Loverly and her husband Jacob! The guest list includes a few neighbours like Blair and Aiden, Ben and Rebecca, Mara, other moms and many acquaintances.
The party becomes a standstill when Whitney is overheard screaming atrocities at her son, Xavier. Her non so perfect life is revealed in a startling way.
Nine month later and Xavier is found outside her bedroom window, as if he’d fallen out.
Was it an accident? Could Whitney’s rage have gotten the better of her this time?
It’s natural with any trauma that the family and those close to the family will be asked questions to ensure it was an accident. In a small closely housed community things will have been seen and heard, outside of the outburst that happened at the party… will anyone share what they’ve seen or heard?
Blair is having difficulties of her own, her marriage isn’t great, her daughter Chloe is devastated about Xavier and she’s convincing herself that her husband is cheating on her with none other than Whitney.
Rebecca and Ben have been trying desperately for a baby, and has suffered many miscarriages. Rebecca works at the hospital that Xavier was taken to and has kept a close eye on his case. She also knows about that night at the party… should she bring it up?
She’s keeping a secret of her own right now, after Ben stating he was done trying for a baby. Around that time Ben started visiting Xavier, playing softball but keeping it from Rebecca.
Mara lives right next door to the Loverly family and Xavier reminds her so much of her own son, with all his peculiar behaviours. They spend time together that’s peaceful and understanding. She gifts him with an old airplane that was once her sons, which Xavier treasures.
Blair, Whitney, Rebecca and Mara are all neighbours but for the most part that’s the main tie to their relationships. Whitney and Blair are closer but Blair tends to keep her secrets close.
With heavy character narrative the events surrounding Xavier’s accident are told in a week long timeline with some chapters from the past describing bits of the women’s lives that help the reader understand why they’ve become the way they are.
Intense. Distressing. Character Driven.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Medical content, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Self harm