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A Time for Silence
When Sarah, struggling to get over tragedy, stumbles across her grandparents' ruined farm, it feels as if the house has been waiting for her. She is drawn to their apparently idyllic way of life and starts to look into her family history.
Only to learn that her grandfather, John, was murdered.
Why has nobody told her? Sarah becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Gwen and John.
But are there some family stories that should never be told?
Only to learn that her grandfather, John, was murdered.
Why has nobody told her? Sarah becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Gwen and John.
But are there some family stories that should never be told?
366 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
45 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 22, 2020
Sarah is engaged to be married to Marcus. Having seen him off on a business trip to New York, She treats herself to a weekend away and visits her mother in Ireland. On the return journey, tired from driving, she stops for a break and passing an Estate Agents window she glances in, aware that what she should be doing is finding a house for herself and Marcus. The wedding is just three months away. But there she catches sight of the name
Cwmderwen and is taken back in time to the farmhouse that her grandparents lived in.
Fascinated she decides to take a look, after all is up for sale,
The farmhouse is totally derelict. It would appear that no one had lived there since her grandparents left. Once home Sarah does some digging and eventually locates the right John F Owen, her grandfather, and discovers he was killed by person or persons unknown.
Shocked, Sarah quizzes her mother’s sister, but she totally stonewalls Sarah, and so Sarah decides to investigate herself. Her journey to the truth takes her down many blind alleys, mainly because talking to people in the local area who could have known her grandparents seems to start off well but when she admits that she is asking about her grandparents they clam up. Not that she realises this at the time, just that she seems to keep hitting blank walls.
Interspersed with Sarah’s first person narrative, as she searches for what happened to her grandfather, we are taken back to 1933 and the wedding of Gwen and John F Owen. Narrated by Gwen in alternate chapters we learn the story from Gwen’s point of view of her life with John Owen in a remote farm in Pembrokeshire, and the struggle and hardship endured, which eventually leads to tragedy.
As more and more of Sarah’s time is devoted to her search into the past, Marcus’s mother Caroline, continually badgers her about the wedding plans, Bridesmaids dresses, flowers, and so on. One can feel Sarah’s detachment. On Marcus’s return Sarah’s conversation centres more on her family’s past then on her future with Marcus.
Sarah is a complex character. Originally pursuing a singing career, she had given up that dream following the death of a close friend. Now she is obsessed in discovering what is behind the silence that seems to exist regarding the death of her Grandfather Owen. But in uncovering the truth she may learn things that are better left alone. Maybe silence is golden.
I found this a fascinating book. As the story progressed, I thought I could see where it was going but there was more than one secret. Secrets I had not counted on. This cleverly, beautifully written book evokes the past brilliantly and is highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
Cwmderwen and is taken back in time to the farmhouse that her grandparents lived in.
Fascinated she decides to take a look, after all is up for sale,
The farmhouse is totally derelict. It would appear that no one had lived there since her grandparents left. Once home Sarah does some digging and eventually locates the right John F Owen, her grandfather, and discovers he was killed by person or persons unknown.
Shocked, Sarah quizzes her mother’s sister, but she totally stonewalls Sarah, and so Sarah decides to investigate herself. Her journey to the truth takes her down many blind alleys, mainly because talking to people in the local area who could have known her grandparents seems to start off well but when she admits that she is asking about her grandparents they clam up. Not that she realises this at the time, just that she seems to keep hitting blank walls.
Interspersed with Sarah’s first person narrative, as she searches for what happened to her grandfather, we are taken back to 1933 and the wedding of Gwen and John F Owen. Narrated by Gwen in alternate chapters we learn the story from Gwen’s point of view of her life with John Owen in a remote farm in Pembrokeshire, and the struggle and hardship endured, which eventually leads to tragedy.
As more and more of Sarah’s time is devoted to her search into the past, Marcus’s mother Caroline, continually badgers her about the wedding plans, Bridesmaids dresses, flowers, and so on. One can feel Sarah’s detachment. On Marcus’s return Sarah’s conversation centres more on her family’s past then on her future with Marcus.
Sarah is a complex character. Originally pursuing a singing career, she had given up that dream following the death of a close friend. Now she is obsessed in discovering what is behind the silence that seems to exist regarding the death of her Grandfather Owen. But in uncovering the truth she may learn things that are better left alone. Maybe silence is golden.
I found this a fascinating book. As the story progressed, I thought I could see where it was going but there was more than one secret. Secrets I had not counted on. This cleverly, beautifully written book evokes the past brilliantly and is highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
April 12, 2015
An excellent, beautifully-written debut that contrasts one woman’s search for her family history while dealing with her own difficult relationship, with the events leading to a tragedy against the strict moral background of her grandparent’s times.
I enjoy novels with a dual timeline and this one is perfectly pitched – as you read on, you soon find out more than Sarah, the present-day protagonist, about her grandmother, Gwen, and her difficult marriage, but not enough to know all the answers, and the dual suspense of wanting her to make her discoveries, while eagerly waiting to discover for yourself exactly what happens, builds up a superb tension.
All kinds of questions are raised, from the morality of a past society when much more was kept hidden, to the wisdom of seeking to reveal secrets that people have chosen for good reason to conceal down the years.
An excellent read, and I’m looking forward to reading Thorne Moore’s second novel, Motherlove.
I enjoy novels with a dual timeline and this one is perfectly pitched – as you read on, you soon find out more than Sarah, the present-day protagonist, about her grandmother, Gwen, and her difficult marriage, but not enough to know all the answers, and the dual suspense of wanting her to make her discoveries, while eagerly waiting to discover for yourself exactly what happens, builds up a superb tension.
All kinds of questions are raised, from the morality of a past society when much more was kept hidden, to the wisdom of seeking to reveal secrets that people have chosen for good reason to conceal down the years.
An excellent read, and I’m looking forward to reading Thorne Moore’s second novel, Motherlove.
May 22, 2014
Besides finding Sarah a bit annoying at times this was a really good book. I didn't really know what to expect with the plot and it was a lot sadder than I had anticipated. I thought I'd figured out what had happened by about halfway through but that just made me want to keep reading to check that I was right rather than stop reading it!
December 3, 2014
I would have loved to give this book 5 stars, but it's "only" 4 because the difference between the two stories that are told is too disturbing to me. Reading about Gwen's life and how the truth about it was slowly revealed was gripping and heart-wrenching. Sarah's tale, however, would have left me untouched if I hadn't been too curious to see when she would find out the truth about the murder of her grandfather. It's not Sarah's storyline I didn't like; it was the way it was written. To me it seemed as if two authors had worked on this book. Of course I know that the two different writing styles are supposed to underline the difference between the women, but how can one part be delivered in such an extraordinary way and the other one not?
August 24, 2014
When you get a story told in two timelines, it's quite hard to rate it,I think I found the character of Sarah, with her ridiculous guilt, her reluctant wedding plans, her drinking and hysteria just annoying.
She was good at digging up a story though. Two and half stars for that part.
A possible four stars though for the story of a tiny Welsh farm, with its god fearing farmer, and quiet wife, that gradually descends into violence, drinking, rape, suicide and murder...there were some things you could see coming a mile away, but the story was told well, so it didn't feel too trite.
Three stars combined, enjoyable.
She was good at digging up a story though. Two and half stars for that part.
A possible four stars though for the story of a tiny Welsh farm, with its god fearing farmer, and quiet wife, that gradually descends into violence, drinking, rape, suicide and murder...there were some things you could see coming a mile away, but the story was told well, so it didn't feel too trite.
Three stars combined, enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2018
A Time for Silence by Thorne Moore begins with a deceptive lightness and simplicity that builds into a brooding menace and tension that kept me turning the pages into the early (actually, very late!) hours of the morning.
The novel concerns two generations of the same family. Sarah is a modern woman caught up in wedding preparations who discovers the family home of her grandmother, Gwen, who married in 1933. Sarah is intrigued by mysteries thrown up by the derelict cottage and her struggles to understand what happened in the past are offset by Gwen’s tale which is interwoven with Sarah’s.
The reader sees the fuller picture and becomes enmeshed in the two stories, initially frustrated by the lack of insight both women have to their own situation and then watching helplessly as the horror and tragedy relentlessly unfold.
The psychological insights into the characters are brilliantly drawn and expressed with an understated power that packs a greater punch as a consequence. Early in the book she refers to Gwen’s illness as ‘the crucifixion of cancer in the antiseptic loneliness of a hospital far away.’ There are also references to women of Gwen’s time and their status in society. After Gwen’s wedding she has been ‘absorbed with a word into a man’s identity’ and passed to her husband ‘almost like a bag of sugar over the counter.’ It is this lack of a voice that perhaps drives the tragedy – Gwen accepts John as the master of the house and her role is to support him in every way, regardless of the consequences.
This is a brilliant, thoughtful, terrifying book of the human condition and what drives people to do the things they do. I’d give it more than five stars if I could.
The novel concerns two generations of the same family. Sarah is a modern woman caught up in wedding preparations who discovers the family home of her grandmother, Gwen, who married in 1933. Sarah is intrigued by mysteries thrown up by the derelict cottage and her struggles to understand what happened in the past are offset by Gwen’s tale which is interwoven with Sarah’s.
The reader sees the fuller picture and becomes enmeshed in the two stories, initially frustrated by the lack of insight both women have to their own situation and then watching helplessly as the horror and tragedy relentlessly unfold.
The psychological insights into the characters are brilliantly drawn and expressed with an understated power that packs a greater punch as a consequence. Early in the book she refers to Gwen’s illness as ‘the crucifixion of cancer in the antiseptic loneliness of a hospital far away.’ There are also references to women of Gwen’s time and their status in society. After Gwen’s wedding she has been ‘absorbed with a word into a man’s identity’ and passed to her husband ‘almost like a bag of sugar over the counter.’ It is this lack of a voice that perhaps drives the tragedy – Gwen accepts John as the master of the house and her role is to support him in every way, regardless of the consequences.
This is a brilliant, thoughtful, terrifying book of the human condition and what drives people to do the things they do. I’d give it more than five stars if I could.
November 20, 2014
Thoroughly recommended. There are two stories: one modern day and one set around the second world war, the two stories are linked through family connections. A few elements made this book special for me: the description of the beautiful yet claustrophobic life of a welsh village community, both now and in the early 20th century, the way the modern-day heroine's romanticised view of her family history leads to incorrect assumptions of what 'must' have happened, the sympathetic portrayal of the welsh language and how it survives today in the strangest of ways. One of those books that stays with you days after the final page is read.
August 1, 2015
Wow! I loved this book. Beautiful evocative writing, a story that held my attention and made me actually read it slowly so I could savour every second. I was drawn into the story, found myself holding my breath and willing that I was wrong in how the story would unfold. I cried with and for Rose & Sarah. I admired and rebuked Gwen for her resilience. I feel I know them, that it was my story, that I lived each chapter - both in the past & the present - alongside them. I am bereft now it is over and so pleased that Sarah found the truth. Some secrets need to stay that way, some need to be lived before the living understand the need for the silence.
January 6, 2016
Time for silence
I read several reviews,all suggesting a tale that drew you in from the first chapter and was not disappointed. Very dark yet moving tale, beautifully written. I enjoyed the story of the two women in separate era's and the depth of emotion . A book I couldn't put down ! Really interesting to think of our family tree. Gripping in parts,desperately sad in others, horrors ....I felt I began to know these characters well. Really worth the read. Hoping to now find another by this author who is new to me.
I read several reviews,all suggesting a tale that drew you in from the first chapter and was not disappointed. Very dark yet moving tale, beautifully written. I enjoyed the story of the two women in separate era's and the depth of emotion . A book I couldn't put down ! Really interesting to think of our family tree. Gripping in parts,desperately sad in others, horrors ....I felt I began to know these characters well. Really worth the read. Hoping to now find another by this author who is new to me.
June 8, 2015
I loved this book. I found myself wanting to cry, scream or tear my hair out at the injustice of poor Gwen's story. I liked how the author wove the two stories between past and present. I read this book in about two days...the past story was very sad and depressing but the author wrote so hauntingly you feel you have no choice but to read on. Domestic violence...such a taboo topic but one that needs to be addressed, even in this day and age. A riveting read and highly recommend.
April 1, 2019
What a sad story. This book although not a true story just shows how far women have come in seventy years, I know that female repression still happens but thankfully not like this. I could feel my self screaming at Sarah as the story progressed and as a reader you already knew what had happened when she was feeling sorry for the culprit of the vile things that occurred as Cwmderwen.
I struggled to put the book down and enjoyed the story although a little heart breaking to know what went on.
I struggled to put the book down and enjoyed the story although a little heart breaking to know what went on.
August 7, 2014
I loved this book. The two story lines running parallel added to the intrigue. I felt it was quite a believable story line, and could imagine it happening in remote rural areas in the 1940's. I will definitely check out other books by this author.
November 19, 2014
Well worth a read. This book takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride. It pulls lots of punches which can be hard to take. It is unflinching in its narrative and will make you want to cry. A confident author, a great story and the best book I've read this year.
October 16, 2016
Livre agréable à lire : histoire d'un secret familial qui influence les protagonistes finalement à leur insu.
Allers et retours entre aujourd'hui et 60 ans plus tôt, j'ai trouvé que c'était bien construit avec un suspens bien entretenu.
Allers et retours entre aujourd'hui et 60 ans plus tôt, j'ai trouvé que c'était bien construit avec un suspens bien entretenu.
February 15, 2022
I'm not sure about you, but sometimes when I'm away on holiday, I do enjoy reading a book that's set in the location I'm staying. I decided to read A Time for Silence by Thorne Moore when I was in Wales recently and was thrilled to find that the story mentioned a chapel quite close by at Beulah.
The book starts with us discovering that Sarah has experienced a traumatic event but seems to be getting on with life and is engaged and soon to be married to Marcus. On impulse, while he's on a business trip, she buys a derelict cottage in Wales that once belonged to her grandparents. She begins a quest to find out more about them, especially when she discovers her grandfather was murdered at the property. The book skips back and to in a dual timeline between Sarah's present-day story and her grandmother Gwen's life when she was living in the cottage in 1933.
I enjoyed how this story unravels, and it has some unexpected twists and turns and the impact of the events back in 1933 means that Sarah faces up to some things in her own life that she's been avoiding. Gwen's story and her life with John and her children are heartbreaking. It certainly broke me and had me in tears.
I also loved how the cottage connects the two characters and provides a connection between the present and the past.
I'll be reading more books by Thorne Moore and have already downloaded The Covenant, the prequel to this book. This was a real hidden gem, and I'm grateful that I found a recommendation for it via Carol Lovekin, another Welsh author I love.
The book starts with us discovering that Sarah has experienced a traumatic event but seems to be getting on with life and is engaged and soon to be married to Marcus. On impulse, while he's on a business trip, she buys a derelict cottage in Wales that once belonged to her grandparents. She begins a quest to find out more about them, especially when she discovers her grandfather was murdered at the property. The book skips back and to in a dual timeline between Sarah's present-day story and her grandmother Gwen's life when she was living in the cottage in 1933.
I enjoyed how this story unravels, and it has some unexpected twists and turns and the impact of the events back in 1933 means that Sarah faces up to some things in her own life that she's been avoiding. Gwen's story and her life with John and her children are heartbreaking. It certainly broke me and had me in tears.
I also loved how the cottage connects the two characters and provides a connection between the present and the past.
I'll be reading more books by Thorne Moore and have already downloaded The Covenant, the prequel to this book. This was a real hidden gem, and I'm grateful that I found a recommendation for it via Carol Lovekin, another Welsh author I love.
March 13, 2022
I had enjoyed The Covenant (5*) so much that I bought this book without checking out the blurb. My mistake as I quickly found out about the dual timeline which definitely did not work for me. Whereas the story belonging to the earlier time (1933 on) was captivating with a powerful and beautiful use of language, the story narrated by the granddaughter in the nowadays timeline was for me too predictable. More important I found that the spell I was under while reading about the earlier time completely went out when I switched to the later timeline. Thorne Moore is an excellent writer though and I will read more novels she has written.
October 3, 2020
This is a well written book on a very disturbing subject, family abuse by the husband. It is told through the genealogy research of a great granddaughter in trying to find out about her mother's Welsh background who no one will talk about.
She purchases on a whim the family's long abandoned cottage in the back country of Wales. This shows her that she is also engaged to a very controlling man. I won't say any more as it is a book worth reading
She purchases on a whim the family's long abandoned cottage in the back country of Wales. This shows her that she is also engaged to a very controlling man. I won't say any more as it is a book worth reading
October 15, 2020
A tale of the times
At first I wondered if this was for me but came to really enjoy this book as it follows the main character into her family's past in rural Wales. I won't give any spoilers but I'm sure it depicts the plight of many more than you'd think and is all the more compelling for that. It moves between the 1930/1940's and present time easily and is well written. Good stuff
At first I wondered if this was for me but came to really enjoy this book as it follows the main character into her family's past in rural Wales. I won't give any spoilers but I'm sure it depicts the plight of many more than you'd think and is all the more compelling for that. It moves between the 1930/1940's and present time easily and is well written. Good stuff
April 16, 2019
A curate’s egg of a novel. On occasion, the text held tension and poignancy taut and captured place and milieu with political weight. Other chapters, those set in the present-day, verged on ‘chick-lit’. The narrative was well paced, and the characters from the past were well-realised but none stood out for admirable or engaging traits. The story was sad, but led nowhere. The shadows of the past leached into the present, but in a mundane, unmemorable way. Some ruthless editing and a more complex theme would have electrified the competent writing.
June 12, 2017
Interesting story with a few surprises, but nothing really unexpected. I had a sense thoughout of having seen something on TV or having read something previously with almost an identical storyline.
Cannot really recommend, but OK if looking for an easy holiday read.
Cannot really recommend, but OK if looking for an easy holiday read.
December 10, 2017
Gripping. The way the modern day played out alongside the past was well done. It surprised me and that's good; I didn't guess it all. A gruesome insight into life and its monsters, who still exist today, but thankfully women have a few more rights now!
January 29, 2018
Pembrokeshire author. Enjoyed this. 3.5 stars. Shame the characters and plotting of the present day story - when written - felt rather lightweight compared to the more emotionally deep feel of the narrative set in the past.
January 17, 2019
I very much enjoyed this book about Sarah and her ancestor Gwen who both had a controlling man/husband in their life. Both women with the support of family and the community were able to deal with and get out of a bad relationship.
September 12, 2020
Started off thinking this was a mediocre book. But, pretty soon changed my mind. Really interesting story. Its based just a few miles from my home, and has a sense of realisim .
I will certainly look out for more stories from this author
I will certainly look out for more stories from this author
September 16, 2020
Enjoyed this book, good story line, but that Sarah was annoying to the max. I found her rather selfish, thinking only of her self with no regards for the persons around her. Sad also that this sort of dominance and cruelty over women is still going on, and sexual abuse thrown in.
Michele Zito
Michele Zito
October 9, 2024
I really enjoyed it, however, I do think the granddaughter's loyalty throughout is oddly placed. As most people wouldn't really think a murder of someone they never met was a horrific tragedy as she had, even if they were related. Overall well written and happy to have read it
September 7, 2017
Just getting into this book!☺ As its based in west wales (Pembrokeshire) and being from Pembrokeshire myself can picture it vividly a thumbs up at moment☺☺
April 24, 2018
Apart from annoying Sarah & her barrow load of guilt,the story moved me. Awful to remember that for some women this was their reality.
May 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this. The format is one where the chapters jump around in time which is a style I enjoy. The story was a good one, which continually made you predict what had happened.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews