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December
A spellbinding novel about a troubled young girl and a family in crisis, and a gripping, astonishing portrait of recovery and self-determination.
When December opens, eleven year old Isabelle hasn’t spoken a word in nearly a year. Four psychiatrists have abandoned her, declaring her silence to be impenetrable. Her parents are at once mystified and terrified by their daughter’s withdrawal, and by their own gradually loosening hold on the world as they’ve always known it. Isabelle’s private school, which has until now taken the extraordinary step of allowing her to complete her assignments from home, is on the verge of expelling her, forcing her parents to confront the possibility that what once seemed a quirk of adolescence, a phase, is perhaps a lifelong transformation, a swift and total retreat from which their daughter may never emerge. December paints an unforgettable picture of a family reckoning with a bewildering crisis, and of a critical month in the life of a bright, fascinating girl, locked into an isolation of her own making and from which only she can decide to break free.
Compulsively readable and deeply affecting, December is a work of marvelous originality and emotional power from a prodigiously gifted young writer.
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First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
January 19, 2011
I don't think I have ever said this before about a book - but it was just too realistic. By which I mean, too many sighs, too many dumb comments, a couple with a sad marriage that I have totally seen in real life, a conflict that's interesting but ultimately goes nowhere. Blah, mundane, disappointing.
December is about an eleven year old girl Isabelle who, one day, inexplicably, falls mute and proceeds to remain such for almost a year. Trauma? Spicy event that triggered this? Nope. She just felt like it. The concept of someone falling into silence is interesting, certainly it shows you how much power silence has and how it can shake up a family dynamic, but guess what is also is - BORING. This book really needed more action. Isabelle's not talking highlights the failing marriage (not that this was explored, we just got to witness it - overbearing obnoxious critical woman and cuckolded extremely washed out husband) and makes their lives sad and complicated. Then one day it all ends just as randomly as it began. I didn't HATE this per se as much as it just wasn't worth the time.
December is about an eleven year old girl Isabelle who, one day, inexplicably, falls mute and proceeds to remain such for almost a year. Trauma? Spicy event that triggered this? Nope. She just felt like it. The concept of someone falling into silence is interesting, certainly it shows you how much power silence has and how it can shake up a family dynamic, but guess what is also is - BORING. This book really needed more action. Isabelle's not talking highlights the failing marriage (not that this was explored, we just got to witness it - overbearing obnoxious critical woman and cuckolded extremely washed out husband) and makes their lives sad and complicated. Then one day it all ends just as randomly as it began. I didn't HATE this per se as much as it just wasn't worth the time.
April 15, 2020
The book is all about a little 11 year old girl Isabelle, who for some reason is has stopped talking.
She does not have any siblings and is the only child of her parents, therefore whatever happens is between the three characters mostly.
She does not have any siblings and is the only child of her parents, therefore whatever happens is between the three characters mostly.
Its a very tense atmosphere, almost like both the parents are tip-toeing around each other to understand Isabelle, to see what will make her smile again, what will make her talk again or what could make her angry for no reason.
The author Elizabeth H. Winthrop has defined all characters well. Each one having their own battles while dealing with belle.
On the other hand Bella is also having her own thing going on in her head, she has stopped talking out of her own will, and only has expressions to share and a lot of bottled up feelings.
Nowhere is it mentioned, how she comes to such a situation and you might keep wondering.
How the spell is broken is another angle and then it looks like everything is okay.
I have given it a 3 stars, because it keeps you hooked till the end, wondering will she talk now, or not. And the testing times between the parents seem so real, you almost wish you were not around them.
December 7, 2013
"De leitura compulsiva e emocionante, "Dezembro" é uma obra de uma originalidade maravilhosa e de grande impacto emocional" - é o que diz na contra-capa deste pequeno livro.
Só não concordo com a parte do "leitura compulsiva".
Nunca tinha lido nada semelhante a este livro.
Uma história sobre a família mas contada de uma maneira muito diferente.
Uma família que está com problemas com a sua pequena filha de 11 anos e que, por causa disso, se está a desmoronar.
Isabelle de onze anos, não fala. Deixou de falar por. . . nenhum motivo.
Os pais exasperados tentam tudo e mais alguma coisa, não forçando Isabelle a nada. Vão tentando actuar de uma forma subtil, nunca desistem, no entanto, não se apercebem que esse silêncio está a afectar as suas próprias vidas em comum. . .
O livro desenrola-se nas semanas antes do dia de Natal, os capítulos são dias da semana, culminando no dia de Natal.
Isabelle comunica com os leitores através dos seus pensamentos, assim sabemos que ela quer muito fazer uma coisa, mas falta-lhe a coragem para quebrar o silêncio de nove meses onde está envolvida. . . Vê os pais tristes e a discutirem e quer que eles estejam bem e sente-se culpada pelo mal-estar deles mas. . . não se consegue forçar a terminar aquilo.
Até que o irmão de Ruth (mãe de Isabelle) lhe diz que ela é uma mística e que, claro que os místicos não falam (o irmão de Ruth é um veterano de guerra com stress pós-traumático e que Ruth não quer ao pé da filha, especialmente no estado em que ela se encontra no momento), mas, acontece que, é neste momento que o livro sofre a reviravolta que vai mudar o fim do livro. . .
Este livro demonstra a força do amor entre pais e filhos, a sua persistência em ajudar e a não desistir quando algo corre menos bem.
Demonstra muito bem o carinho dos pais para com a filha mas, penso que, demonstra ainda melhor o carinho da filha pelos pais. . . As personagens são cativantes e apetece conhecê-las mais e mais, talvez também porque são dadas pouco a conhecer.
É um livro mais para o introspectivo, não é uma leitura rápida mas é uma leitura prazeirosa, estava à espera de me aborrecer mas acontece que gostei bastante do livro e gostaria de saber o que anda Isabelle a magicar agora. . .
Para mim é um livro de 3,5*, ainda penso quando vai o goodreads "adoptar" o sistema para podermos dar estrelas e meia.
Como nota final, digo apenas que adoro a capa do livro e que. . . esperei para ler o livro em. . . Dezembro.
Só não concordo com a parte do "leitura compulsiva".
Nunca tinha lido nada semelhante a este livro.
Uma história sobre a família mas contada de uma maneira muito diferente.
Uma família que está com problemas com a sua pequena filha de 11 anos e que, por causa disso, se está a desmoronar.
Isabelle de onze anos, não fala. Deixou de falar por. . . nenhum motivo.
Os pais exasperados tentam tudo e mais alguma coisa, não forçando Isabelle a nada. Vão tentando actuar de uma forma subtil, nunca desistem, no entanto, não se apercebem que esse silêncio está a afectar as suas próprias vidas em comum. . .
O livro desenrola-se nas semanas antes do dia de Natal, os capítulos são dias da semana, culminando no dia de Natal.
Isabelle comunica com os leitores através dos seus pensamentos, assim sabemos que ela quer muito fazer uma coisa, mas falta-lhe a coragem para quebrar o silêncio de nove meses onde está envolvida. . . Vê os pais tristes e a discutirem e quer que eles estejam bem e sente-se culpada pelo mal-estar deles mas. . . não se consegue forçar a terminar aquilo.
Até que o irmão de Ruth (mãe de Isabelle) lhe diz que ela é uma mística e que, claro que os místicos não falam (o irmão de Ruth é um veterano de guerra com stress pós-traumático e que Ruth não quer ao pé da filha, especialmente no estado em que ela se encontra no momento), mas, acontece que, é neste momento que o livro sofre a reviravolta que vai mudar o fim do livro. . .
Este livro demonstra a força do amor entre pais e filhos, a sua persistência em ajudar e a não desistir quando algo corre menos bem.
Demonstra muito bem o carinho dos pais para com a filha mas, penso que, demonstra ainda melhor o carinho da filha pelos pais. . . As personagens são cativantes e apetece conhecê-las mais e mais, talvez também porque são dadas pouco a conhecer.
É um livro mais para o introspectivo, não é uma leitura rápida mas é uma leitura prazeirosa, estava à espera de me aborrecer mas acontece que gostei bastante do livro e gostaria de saber o que anda Isabelle a magicar agora. . .
Para mim é um livro de 3,5*, ainda penso quando vai o goodreads "adoptar" o sistema para podermos dar estrelas e meia.
Como nota final, digo apenas que adoro a capa do livro e que. . . esperei para ler o livro em. . . Dezembro.
February 1, 2013
This is an intricately detailed novel covering only a few days in real time and, as one other reviewer pointed out, it's actually kind of too realistic. Promising plot points appear -- the deaf boy next door, Isabelle's latest doctor, her sketchbooks -- that lead nowhere, which happens often enough in real life but is frustrating in fiction where every word is supposed to mean something. I kept wondering what made Isabelle stop speaking, and the story was like a mystery to me in that sense...but the reader never really finds out.
It's unclear just when the story is set, which may be frustrating to some readers, but the absence of cell phones and computers and the mention of an answering machine as if it's a newfangled device makes me think early- to mid-nineties, which would make Isabelle about the same age as the author.
I was a bit troubled by what seemed to be the ultimate message of the book, that a family's love can "cure" a troubled child, because that isn't always true. Although Isabelle goes through five psychiatrists without a diagnosis, to me it looked pretty clear: selective mutism and severe depression. Neither of which tend to go away on their own, no matter how much your parents love you. I might have bought it if the book had covered a longer time frame; as it was, the ending felt hurried.
On the other hand, each character was very carefully rendered, particularly Isabelle and her parents, and the painful, complicated but loving relationships within the family were very well done. And the suspense -- will Isabelle ever start talking again? -- moved the story right along. I sat down in the library and read it all right there, something I rarely do.
This book is a mixed bag. I'm in a generous mood so I gave it four stars.
It's unclear just when the story is set, which may be frustrating to some readers, but the absence of cell phones and computers and the mention of an answering machine as if it's a newfangled device makes me think early- to mid-nineties, which would make Isabelle about the same age as the author.
I was a bit troubled by what seemed to be the ultimate message of the book, that a family's love can "cure" a troubled child, because that isn't always true. Although Isabelle goes through five psychiatrists without a diagnosis, to me it looked pretty clear: selective mutism and severe depression. Neither of which tend to go away on their own, no matter how much your parents love you. I might have bought it if the book had covered a longer time frame; as it was, the ending felt hurried.
On the other hand, each character was very carefully rendered, particularly Isabelle and her parents, and the painful, complicated but loving relationships within the family were very well done. And the suspense -- will Isabelle ever start talking again? -- moved the story right along. I sat down in the library and read it all right there, something I rarely do.
This book is a mixed bag. I'm in a generous mood so I gave it four stars.
August 1, 2013
Isabelle, uma menina de 11 anos, não fala há 9 meses. Os pais desesperam para a por a falar e é entre psiquiatras e cursos de arte que vamos vendo a sua esperança se desvanecer!
Não há aparentemente nada que justifique esse silêncio e a própria Isabelle não entende por que não sai palavra da sua boca!
Paciência... É preciso paciência para ler este livro! Não há praticamente acção, pelo que a leitura não é propriamente leve. No entanto, posso dizer que gostei. Gostei sobretudo da criança fascinante que é a Isabelle. Revi-me a mim própria na infância, nos seus devaneios!! :)
Este é um livro que nos faz compreender que por vezes não há nada que nos impeça de fazer algo ou seguir em frente, a não sermos nós próprios!!
Não há aparentemente nada que justifique esse silêncio e a própria Isabelle não entende por que não sai palavra da sua boca!
Paciência... É preciso paciência para ler este livro! Não há praticamente acção, pelo que a leitura não é propriamente leve. No entanto, posso dizer que gostei. Gostei sobretudo da criança fascinante que é a Isabelle. Revi-me a mim própria na infância, nos seus devaneios!! :)
Este é um livro que nos faz compreender que por vezes não há nada que nos impeça de fazer algo ou seguir em frente, a não sermos nós próprios!!
May 23, 2018
Emotional and sensitive. Beautifully written.
November 13, 2011
Ruth and Wilson Carter are usually look forwards to Christmas, a special time of snow angels, coal fires and family fun. But this year it's different. Isabelle, their 11 year old daughter has stopped talking. There's that old saying 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone', but normally a child's voice is something you don't expect to disappear. Her parents have tried everything and they are worried that Isabelle's life is ruined and that they could have done something to stop it from happening in the first place. Christmas seems to be ruined and their marriage is beginning to come apart.
I recently got a pile of books from my local library and this was the last on the pile. How glad I was to leave this to the end. It is an exceptionally good read, written beautifully, an emotional journey into the mind of an adolescent. It's almost as if you become a part of this family and begin to feel their frustration and despair. I cannot begin to describe how well Elizabeth H. Winthrop writes with amazing attention to small details and how each page is heavy with emotion and not to mention her ability to weave wit into the story when you least expect it.
The story is quite simple. It really does go to prove that a good book doesn't always have to have bombs waiting to go off or murderers on the loose, this book simple is what it is. It is very good.
One of the best books I have read and a fitting way to achieve my '52 books in 52 weeks challenge'. Now I will see how many books I can read until 2012 when my challenge, hopefully, will begin all over again!
10/10
I recently got a pile of books from my local library and this was the last on the pile. How glad I was to leave this to the end. It is an exceptionally good read, written beautifully, an emotional journey into the mind of an adolescent. It's almost as if you become a part of this family and begin to feel their frustration and despair. I cannot begin to describe how well Elizabeth H. Winthrop writes with amazing attention to small details and how each page is heavy with emotion and not to mention her ability to weave wit into the story when you least expect it.
The story is quite simple. It really does go to prove that a good book doesn't always have to have bombs waiting to go off or murderers on the loose, this book simple is what it is. It is very good.
One of the best books I have read and a fitting way to achieve my '52 books in 52 weeks challenge'. Now I will see how many books I can read until 2012 when my challenge, hopefully, will begin all over again!
10/10
November 8, 2009
Imagine all the stages of puzzlement, anger, frustration, and terror you'd go through if your 11-year-old daughter gradually stopped talking. Now imagine it's 9 months later - not only has she not said a word to anyone, but she has become more and more withdrawn and secretive, spending most of her free time reading or drawing, often not even responding to her parents' attempts to communicate.
That's the situation that two NYC parents, Ruth and Wilson, and their daughter Isablelee find themselves in as Christmas approaches. Their lives have shrunk down to a miserable, insular little huddle of three. None of them appears to have any friends or even acquaintances, Ruth has stopped work because Isabelle has stopped going to school, and their lives have lost all joy. The reader may want to give all of them a good hard shake - they are all exasperating in their own ways, and of course the situation is intolerable. We get a chance to experience the world from the mind of all three of them, and this was my favorite part of the book, to watch as Wilson putzes about in the garage or Isabelle contemplates her quandary - that she sometimes regrets the anguish her not-speaking causes in her parents (not to mention the inconvenience to herself) but seems to have reached the point of no return. Ruth is difficult to like, although I definitely sympathized with her. All in all, a claustrophobic but occasionally fascinating immersion in the lives of three unhappy people.
That's the situation that two NYC parents, Ruth and Wilson, and their daughter Isablelee find themselves in as Christmas approaches. Their lives have shrunk down to a miserable, insular little huddle of three. None of them appears to have any friends or even acquaintances, Ruth has stopped work because Isabelle has stopped going to school, and their lives have lost all joy. The reader may want to give all of them a good hard shake - they are all exasperating in their own ways, and of course the situation is intolerable. We get a chance to experience the world from the mind of all three of them, and this was my favorite part of the book, to watch as Wilson putzes about in the garage or Isabelle contemplates her quandary - that she sometimes regrets the anguish her not-speaking causes in her parents (not to mention the inconvenience to herself) but seems to have reached the point of no return. Ruth is difficult to like, although I definitely sympathized with her. All in all, a claustrophobic but occasionally fascinating immersion in the lives of three unhappy people.
August 10, 2018
Paragraphs far too long and too much detail to get no where.
June 13, 2019
Ora bem, este livro fala-nos de uma menina de 11 anos que deixou de falar há 8 meses. Os seus pais, Ruth e Wilson estão obviamente preocupados com o silêncio da filha, pois já passaram por vários terapeutas, psicólogos e psiquiatras e nenhum conseguiu quebrar o silêncio de Isabelle e a escola que ela frequenta ameaça expulsá-la se ela não começar a falar no início do segundo semestre, em janeiro.
A ação passa-se em dezembro, como no título, e dá-nos três pontos de vista, da mãe, do pai e da própria Isabelle.
Enquanto o pai acha que a solução para a quebra do silêncio da filha é uma viagem a África, pois ele esteve lá com o seu pai e os irmãos em adolescente, e Isabelle desenhou um leão num papel de mesa de um restaurante, a mãe acha que forçar a situação é o melhor, por exemplo, deixa-a sozinha numa sapataria com o funcionário, enquanto atende uma chamada, pois acha que Isabelle terá de responder às perguntas do senhor.
As estratégias não resultam e Isabelle continua sem falar.
É um livro que se lê bem, no entanto o motivo de Isabelle não falar não é nada de extraordinário, ela não fala porque basicamente não quer e quanto mais tempo passa sem falar menos vontade tem de o fazer, pois o silêncio tornou-se confortável para ela.
A ação passa-se em dezembro, como no título, e dá-nos três pontos de vista, da mãe, do pai e da própria Isabelle.
Enquanto o pai acha que a solução para a quebra do silêncio da filha é uma viagem a África, pois ele esteve lá com o seu pai e os irmãos em adolescente, e Isabelle desenhou um leão num papel de mesa de um restaurante, a mãe acha que forçar a situação é o melhor, por exemplo, deixa-a sozinha numa sapataria com o funcionário, enquanto atende uma chamada, pois acha que Isabelle terá de responder às perguntas do senhor.
As estratégias não resultam e Isabelle continua sem falar.
É um livro que se lê bem, no entanto o motivo de Isabelle não falar não é nada de extraordinário, ela não fala porque basicamente não quer e quanto mais tempo passa sem falar menos vontade tem de o fazer, pois o silêncio tornou-se confortável para ela.
February 1, 2016
Review: December by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop.
The problem I have with this book is it was boring. The subject matter was sad, a child stops talking for nine months, but it still didn 19t move my emotions. It was a fast pace story but with no images of what was really the reason this child stopped talking, besides because she just didn 19t want to talk. It was like she was playing a game and a selfish one at that. Her parents seem to enable her by making excuses for her behavior. As a mother, who raised three grown children, I became frustrated that the parents continued to let this go on so long.
Isabelle is extremely smart, but if she has this much control at her young age, I can 19t imagine what she will become as a teenager. I did get one vision and that is a spiteful look in the eyes of the child.
I know the story is fiction but I have to put my two cents worth of what I read. The story was lacking reasons why she stopped talking and why she began to talk months later. I found the novel to be commonly written with questions unanswered and the characters uninteresting 26.
The problem I have with this book is it was boring. The subject matter was sad, a child stops talking for nine months, but it still didn 19t move my emotions. It was a fast pace story but with no images of what was really the reason this child stopped talking, besides because she just didn 19t want to talk. It was like she was playing a game and a selfish one at that. Her parents seem to enable her by making excuses for her behavior. As a mother, who raised three grown children, I became frustrated that the parents continued to let this go on so long.
Isabelle is extremely smart, but if she has this much control at her young age, I can 19t imagine what she will become as a teenager. I did get one vision and that is a spiteful look in the eyes of the child.
I know the story is fiction but I have to put my two cents worth of what I read. The story was lacking reasons why she stopped talking and why she began to talk months later. I found the novel to be commonly written with questions unanswered and the characters uninteresting 26.
Read
January 10, 2012This is a story of an 11 year old, Isabelle, who hasn't spoken in a almost a year and how her parents, Ruth and Wilson, struggle with the situation.
Albeit a slow read, and not terribly insightful about the child's condition, I was compelled to finish the book to see how the story was resolved. The characters were a bit annoying, the father for pushing a trip to Africa to make Isabelle speak, the mother for her constant uptightness, and Isabelle, for appearing spoiled. It's definitely a family consumed by the situation and how trying it be. As the story continues, I got some sense of how lost Isabelle is and warmed to her. I particularly liked that although she couldn't speak, she helped with chores and communicated non-verbally when she had to. The story has a strange plot twist with the appearance of Ruth's brother who plays a part in how the book ends. The events leading to the ending were a bit out of left field and although Isabelle regained her speech, the ending felt a bit like the author didn't know how to end it so she just did.
Albeit a slow read, and not terribly insightful about the child's condition, I was compelled to finish the book to see how the story was resolved. The characters were a bit annoying, the father for pushing a trip to Africa to make Isabelle speak, the mother for her constant uptightness, and Isabelle, for appearing spoiled. It's definitely a family consumed by the situation and how trying it be. As the story continues, I got some sense of how lost Isabelle is and warmed to her. I particularly liked that although she couldn't speak, she helped with chores and communicated non-verbally when she had to. The story has a strange plot twist with the appearance of Ruth's brother who plays a part in how the book ends. The events leading to the ending were a bit out of left field and although Isabelle regained her speech, the ending felt a bit like the author didn't know how to end it so she just did.
December 7, 2012
Chosen for its title alone – DECEMBER is Winthrop’s second novel but the first I have read. Set in the week leading up to Christmas DECEMBER is not an edge of the seat read; it is not in your face dramatic either; what it IS is a sensitive observation of how each of the three main characters deals with Isabella’s self imposed silence. It is also not so much a look at why she has chosen to be silent, although that is hinted at, it is more about that she IS silent and she has imposed the silence on herself and doesn’t know how to break it. The story also focuses on the frustrations of the parents – the desire to hear her speak, the blame games, the guilt trips and the fact that they realise that they may be actually enabling Isabella to continue. A trigger is needed, but neither mum and dad nor Isabella can figure out what that trigger might be. My only complaint is that the ending, when it came, was rushed, as if the author was enjoying her time in the heads of the family and remembered oops there had better be some sort of resolution.
July 16, 2009
I thought this book was going to be wonder. I had a hard time reading it -- so I read it quickly (book club selection). Overall, I thought the author wandered and did not stay on the subject and did not focus enough on the problem of selective mutes. In the end, the book leaves you hanging. Some folks in the book club thought the author was paid by the word as there are huge chunks in the book that are so random that you have no clue why the author put it in the book.
April 22, 2010
I really wanted Supernanny Jo Frost to be called into deal with Isabelle. Her parents obviously had no clue how to deal with her not talking and allowed her to basically run rings around them.
I really had no patience with or interest in Isabelle or her parents. The writing was so detailed to be painful. Still it is the sort of books critics loved and I guess many readers.
Not me though - it was hard work with no real insight into the issues.
November 26, 2017
Adorei. Lê -se bem e de uma forma moderadamente compulsiva. Queremos realmente saber a razão deste silêncio. Há ao mesmo tempo uma luta familiar para se ultrapassar obstáculos que só o amor é capaz de superar. Passa-se em Dezembro numa quadra festiva intensificando os sentimentos de cadavum em cada situação. Gosto das descrições feitas ao clima fazendo a ligação da neve ao inverno ao Natal ao conforto de uma casa aquecida....
Recomendo mesmo este livro!!
Recomendo mesmo este livro!!
March 4, 2009
I really loved the experience of reading this book-- I had a hard time grasping the parents as people, particularly the mother, but the feeling of being inside the daughter's head and her silence was very moving. The end was perhaps as satisfying as it could be-- which is to say, not exceptionally so. I'd probably give it three 1/2 stars if that was possible.
September 3, 2017
Beautifully written, but somehow this took me forever to finish. I put it down for months. I think I found Isabelle's failure to speak nearly as frustrating as her parents. And, apart from that, nothing terribly interesting happened. Perhaps I just wasn't in the right mood for it, or something. A clever idea, I think, but I felt the novel was a bit too long.
December 5, 2017
A única coisa que me prendeu foi a curiosidade: queria saber o motivo do silêncio da pequena Isabelle.
Contudo, não posso dizer que tenha sido fácil chegar lá, algumas passagens do livro foram um pouco aborrecidas e sem grande ação e o final também não me satisfez, esperava algo mais.
Contudo, não posso dizer que tenha sido fácil chegar lá, algumas passagens do livro foram um pouco aborrecidas e sem grande ação e o final também não me satisfez, esperava algo mais.
December 14, 2015
Popsugar 2016 (Dec 2015 - Dec 2016) A New York Times Bestseller (2008)
December 28, 2018
A simple story of a family and their crisis and how they try to deal with it.
September 24, 2012
Winthrop's novel follows Ruth and Wilson Carter, and their daughter Isabelle who hasn't said a word in nine months. Five psychiatrists can't work out what's wrong with her, and even Isabelle doesn't really know. All she knows is that her attempt to take control over her life has gone too far and she's stuck in the silence. Ruth and Wilson try desperately to find a cure or a way to fix Isabelle, as they navigate their own precarious marriage.
I think I'm being generous in giving this book three stars. I hesitated on two, but I opted for three because it's a very different book...a very different approach. I applaud Winthrop for doing that, but I didn't really like this book.
I found Ruth and Wilson extremely irritating. Throughout the novel the reader is presented with streams of consciousness - the thoughts of Ruth, Wilson and Isabelle, as an insight into their feelings. It wasn't difficult to distinguish between the passages, but I just wasn't bowled over by them. Ruth and Wilson can't focus on their own lives, all they can do is fret about Isabelle. They try several things that they think will "fix" her, and really they become the people in the novel who are least capable of coping with her silence. Even Ruth's brother and Wilson's mother are a lot more accepting and calm about the situation. I just thought that with all the pressure her parents were putting on her, there's no wonder Isabelle didn't want to talk. If they weren't arguing, they were avoiding each other.
As for Isabelle, she was a very interesting eleven-year-old. She seemed to have some compulsive thoughts about how things should be arranged, and how certain things should be for her eyes only. There's no doubt she was troubled.
There was a point in the book where Isabelle connects with a deaf boy. It's not clear what exactly goes on, but they disappear to play in the garden or something. I thought that might lead to something, but it's just left hanging.
I definitely won't read this book again. It was just too boring. I read it pretty fast, not only because it's pretty short and had a large font, but because I was desperate to know what happened to Isabelle. I'm just disappointed that it wasn't a terribly interesting conclusion.
I think I'm being generous in giving this book three stars. I hesitated on two, but I opted for three because it's a very different book...a very different approach. I applaud Winthrop for doing that, but I didn't really like this book.
I found Ruth and Wilson extremely irritating. Throughout the novel the reader is presented with streams of consciousness - the thoughts of Ruth, Wilson and Isabelle, as an insight into their feelings. It wasn't difficult to distinguish between the passages, but I just wasn't bowled over by them. Ruth and Wilson can't focus on their own lives, all they can do is fret about Isabelle. They try several things that they think will "fix" her, and really they become the people in the novel who are least capable of coping with her silence. Even Ruth's brother and Wilson's mother are a lot more accepting and calm about the situation. I just thought that with all the pressure her parents were putting on her, there's no wonder Isabelle didn't want to talk. If they weren't arguing, they were avoiding each other.
As for Isabelle, she was a very interesting eleven-year-old. She seemed to have some compulsive thoughts about how things should be arranged, and how certain things should be for her eyes only. There's no doubt she was troubled.
There was a point in the book where Isabelle connects with a deaf boy. It's not clear what exactly goes on, but they disappear to play in the garden or something. I thought that might lead to something, but it's just left hanging.
I definitely won't read this book again. It was just too boring. I read it pretty fast, not only because it's pretty short and had a large font, but because I was desperate to know what happened to Isabelle. I'm just disappointed that it wasn't a terribly interesting conclusion.
May 20, 2015
This book was suggested as the March book for the Real Simple book club. It took me a long time to get pulled into this book and I didn't really have any motivation to finish it until I read the final comments on the book from the book club.
In essence, this 9 year girl decides to stop talking one day pretty much to see if she can do it. Then, because she is strong willed, she decides that she can't talk and spends the next 9 months not talking. She is removed from school, believes everything is her fault, stops realizing that she is the one who decided that she can't talk and that she has the power to just start talking again, and engrosses herself in her art -- which she doesn't let anyone else see.
SPOLIER -- finally she starts talking again when she thinks that her dad is in trouble and because she is scared.
I know that there is probably suppossed to be a bigger meaning to the story and why she didn't talk -- but for the most part i felt she was spoiled. Her mom and dad never tell her no and the girl is EXTREMELY OCD. WHO shovels paths in the snow because they don't want the snowed mussed -- no 9 year olds I know of!
The book was okay. would I read it again? NO. I am glad that I only checked it out from the library. But I will give it that the book was at least interesting.
In essence, this 9 year girl decides to stop talking one day pretty much to see if she can do it. Then, because she is strong willed, she decides that she can't talk and spends the next 9 months not talking. She is removed from school, believes everything is her fault, stops realizing that she is the one who decided that she can't talk and that she has the power to just start talking again, and engrosses herself in her art -- which she doesn't let anyone else see.
SPOLIER -- finally she starts talking again when she thinks that her dad is in trouble and because she is scared.
I know that there is probably suppossed to be a bigger meaning to the story and why she didn't talk -- but for the most part i felt she was spoiled. Her mom and dad never tell her no and the girl is EXTREMELY OCD. WHO shovels paths in the snow because they don't want the snowed mussed -- no 9 year olds I know of!
The book was okay. would I read it again? NO. I am glad that I only checked it out from the library. But I will give it that the book was at least interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2009
This book had such potential. I think if the subject matter had been given to Jodi Picoult, it would have been brilliant.
Premise:
Eleven-year old Isabelle has been silent for nine months. Her parents are struggling to find a way to help her.
Selective mutism= interesting topic.
What I liked:
I felt that Ms Winthrop really got the parents angst. I could relate to their frustration with the situation and their desire to help their daughter.
What I didn't like:
She introduced a deaf boy into the story and never developed his character or purpose. But that didn't even bug me. What bugged me is that she made him a frail, weak, tiny boy. That's BS! The boy had lost his hearing from having measles. My grandfather lost his hearing from measles also and was the furthest thing from weak or frail. He was robust and strong. He was a Scouter. He was amazing. I think Ms Winthrop was very ignorant in her characterization of the deaf people.
I also didn't like the ending. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Isabelle finally speaks and it is very anti-climactic. She finally speaks and gives no reason at all for why she was mute for nine months. Very disappointing.
In conclusion:
I am so mad that I stayed up until one in the morning to finish. Definitely not worth my lost sleep.
Premise:
Eleven-year old Isabelle has been silent for nine months. Her parents are struggling to find a way to help her.
Selective mutism= interesting topic.
What I liked:
I felt that Ms Winthrop really got the parents angst. I could relate to their frustration with the situation and their desire to help their daughter.
What I didn't like:
She introduced a deaf boy into the story and never developed his character or purpose. But that didn't even bug me. What bugged me is that she made him a frail, weak, tiny boy. That's BS! The boy had lost his hearing from having measles. My grandfather lost his hearing from measles also and was the furthest thing from weak or frail. He was robust and strong. He was a Scouter. He was amazing. I think Ms Winthrop was very ignorant in her characterization of the deaf people.
I also didn't like the ending. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Isabelle finally speaks and it is very anti-climactic. She finally speaks and gives no reason at all for why she was mute for nine months. Very disappointing.
In conclusion:
I am so mad that I stayed up until one in the morning to finish. Definitely not worth my lost sleep.
November 14, 2019
What an absolute slog to get through this book. The Father, Mother and Daughter are all insufferable.
The mother was the worst. What an absolute hag. It's like the author didn't want her to be likeable whatsoever.
The Daughter it seems, was intended to be written as if she were introspective, but she really just came across as shallow. She was an odd mixture of internal dialogue that was definitely not indicative of an 11 year old, and overly self-absorbed prepubescent. Even cruel at times.
The Dad, the most likeable of the three, was a jelly-spined doormat.
I found the premise and overall reasoning for the daughters silence to be too thin. "Because I felt like it"? Ugh. Because the author had decided to write her book around silence, it was mostly filled with fluff. Overly descriptive to the point I wanted to chuck my Kindle into a wall.
If I hadn't been reading this book for a book club, I would have set it down and never looked back within the first few pages.
My rating is two stars because the minor characters were actually likeable. Which is pretty sad when you think about it.
I would only recommend reading this book if you are a masochist.
The mother was the worst. What an absolute hag. It's like the author didn't want her to be likeable whatsoever.
The Daughter it seems, was intended to be written as if she were introspective, but she really just came across as shallow. She was an odd mixture of internal dialogue that was definitely not indicative of an 11 year old, and overly self-absorbed prepubescent. Even cruel at times.
The Dad, the most likeable of the three, was a jelly-spined doormat.
I found the premise and overall reasoning for the daughters silence to be too thin. "Because I felt like it"? Ugh. Because the author had decided to write her book around silence, it was mostly filled with fluff. Overly descriptive to the point I wanted to chuck my Kindle into a wall.
If I hadn't been reading this book for a book club, I would have set it down and never looked back within the first few pages.
My rating is two stars because the minor characters were actually likeable. Which is pretty sad when you think about it.
I would only recommend reading this book if you are a masochist.
May 15, 2012
A very subtle book with little plot and too many extra words surrounding the story.
Every little detail and observation was described, which felt unnecessary and just dragged the book on. For example, over half a page dedicated to describing how a mans scarf was caught in a door.
Isabelle was very irritating and spoiled, and I felt angry with her for most of the book. However the author was very good at portraying the tension and frustration of the parents, and I sympathized and felt sorry for them.
There was no satisfaction in the ending, which did not reveal why she did not speak. She simply started speaking again.
Overall, I found it boring and tedious, with most of the book made up of meaningless detailed descriptions of every day, only to be concluded in the last 30 pages of the book. Definitely not worth my time, I wouldn't reread.
Every little detail and observation was described, which felt unnecessary and just dragged the book on. For example, over half a page dedicated to describing how a mans scarf was caught in a door.
Isabelle was very irritating and spoiled, and I felt angry with her for most of the book. However the author was very good at portraying the tension and frustration of the parents, and I sympathized and felt sorry for them.
There was no satisfaction in the ending, which did not reveal why she did not speak. She simply started speaking again.
Overall, I found it boring and tedious, with most of the book made up of meaningless detailed descriptions of every day, only to be concluded in the last 30 pages of the book. Definitely not worth my time, I wouldn't reread.
January 9, 2014
I kept waiting for something to happen. Something, anything. Some sort of explanation, of background information, of revelation, of turning point... Instead, this book went on to be as flat as it had started. NOTHING happens. When I turned the last page, I asked myself "What was the point of this book?"... not a good sign. The style was also irritating at times, with an excessive use of the present tense, as though the reader wouldn't be clever enough to understand what was going on if the author used any other tense.
I felt no sympathy, no empathy, no involvement towards any of the characters - except for Maggie, the dog. The only feeling I experienced was frustration: more than once, I found myself wanting to slap Isabelle in the face for being such a little spoilt brat.
I don't think I'll read anything else by this author.
I felt no sympathy, no empathy, no involvement towards any of the characters - except for Maggie, the dog. The only feeling I experienced was frustration: more than once, I found myself wanting to slap Isabelle in the face for being such a little spoilt brat.
I don't think I'll read anything else by this author.
May 5, 2014
Imagine being 11 years old. In a bid to control just a part of your life you build a wall of silence around yourself. However, soon the silence that protected you becomes an entity unto itself and it becomes your jailor.
This beautiful novel portrays a family in crisis. Dad Wilson and mum Ruth have no explanation for thier daughter Isabelle's self imposed silence, and trying to find a reason is slowly tearing them apart, both as individuals and as a couple.
Isabelle herself is in turmoil, knowing she could end her parent's pain but feeling unable to.
This novel really made me think about what it would be like to be in Isabelle's situation, and scary as it is I can just imagine how easy it is just to say nothing, and before you know it nine months have gone by without a word being uttered. December is one of the best books that I've read this year. Amazing and beautiful
This beautiful novel portrays a family in crisis. Dad Wilson and mum Ruth have no explanation for thier daughter Isabelle's self imposed silence, and trying to find a reason is slowly tearing them apart, both as individuals and as a couple.
Isabelle herself is in turmoil, knowing she could end her parent's pain but feeling unable to.
This novel really made me think about what it would be like to be in Isabelle's situation, and scary as it is I can just imagine how easy it is just to say nothing, and before you know it nine months have gone by without a word being uttered. December is one of the best books that I've read this year. Amazing and beautiful
October 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this,I was intrigued why Isabelle stopped talking and wondered if she would again.I think I was supposed to feel sorry for Isabelle but I didn’t. I felt deep sympathy with the parents and sometimes Isabelle acted like a brat. I understood her parents sniping before the silence would be hard for her and I felt a little sorry for her when she felt unable to speak but I don’t feel she tried hard enough and her behaviour at times was not nice. I enjoyed the setting,reading about New York and their country place,the winter and snow was so cosy. I didn’t like Ruth’s attitude to her brother and I was glad when they realised he was actually nice and decent. Isabelle’s love for Maggie was lovely and I was sad when it was revealed how unwell she was.
February 18, 2015
Fabulous book! Isabelle hasn't spoken for 9 months and now she just can't. Her parents are distraught and don't know what to do. I loved the way that the author was able to allow us to live in Isabelle's head, following her childlike thoughts, impressions and emotions. I was rapt and fell in love with her. It has a happy ending. Brilliant book.
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