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The Language of Silence
Following in the footsteps of her tiger-taming grandmother, a woman flees her abusive husband to join the circus in this masterful, heartfelt work of women’s fiction.
Peggy Webb won raves for her debut novel, The Tender Mercy of Roses*, with novelist Pat Conroy calling her “a truly gifted writer.” Now Webb has crafted a poignant portrayal of a woman on the edge seeking solace in the past.
Nobody in the family talks about Ellen’s grandmother Lola, who was swallowed up by the circus and emerged as a woman who tamed tigers and got away scot-free for killing her husband. When Ellen’s husband, Wayne, beats her nearly to death, she runs to the only place she knows where a woman can completely disappear—the same Big Top that once sheltered her grandmother. Though the circus moves from one town to the next, Wayne tracks it, and Ellen, relentlessly. At the same time, Ellen learns more about her feisty, fiery relative, and the heritage that is hers for the taking—if she dares. With her violent husband hot on her trail, Ellen must learn to stand up and fight for herself, to break the cycle of abuse, and pass down a story of love and redemption to her children.
*writing as Anna Michaels
Peggy Webb won raves for her debut novel, The Tender Mercy of Roses*, with novelist Pat Conroy calling her “a truly gifted writer.” Now Webb has crafted a poignant portrayal of a woman on the edge seeking solace in the past.
Nobody in the family talks about Ellen’s grandmother Lola, who was swallowed up by the circus and emerged as a woman who tamed tigers and got away scot-free for killing her husband. When Ellen’s husband, Wayne, beats her nearly to death, she runs to the only place she knows where a woman can completely disappear—the same Big Top that once sheltered her grandmother. Though the circus moves from one town to the next, Wayne tracks it, and Ellen, relentlessly. At the same time, Ellen learns more about her feisty, fiery relative, and the heritage that is hers for the taking—if she dares. With her violent husband hot on her trail, Ellen must learn to stand up and fight for herself, to break the cycle of abuse, and pass down a story of love and redemption to her children.
*writing as Anna Michaels
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2014
7 people are currently reading
1107 people want to read
About the author
Peggy Webb
147 books324 followersPeggy Webb. USA Today Bestseller, is the author of more than 100 novels. Her thrillers and literary novels have topped Amazon charts. A former adjunct instructor of writing at Mississippi State University, Millions of her novels have sold around the world in more than 25 languages. Peggy is the most prolific writer her home state of Mississippi has ever produced, and she is considered one of the most beloved and iconic authors in the business. Pat Conroy calls her literary work "astonishing," Kathie Fong Yoneda labels it "brilliant," and readers consider her books "Must Reads." Peggy's has won numerous awards, including many Reviewer's Choice, the Maggie, a Waldenbooks Award for #1 Bestseller of the Year, several Word Weaving Award of Excellence, and the prestigious Pioneer Award for creating the subgenre of romantic comedy. One of her novels was submitted for a Pulitzer. Peggy also writes under the pen names, Anna Michaels and Elaine Hussey.
Peggy is an accomplished pianist and singer, and has graced the stage of her local community theater in roles such as M'lynn in Steel Magnolias (played by Sally Field in the movie), and the White Witch in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. She composed the blues lyrics she credited to her characters in two of her books, including her latest thriller series from Bookouture, the Logan Sisters. She passed her love of music to her family. Her son plays guitar and harmonica, her daughter and two granddaughters sing, her youngest grandson plays piano, and her grandson David Webb made the gorgeous photographs that appear through her new, state-of-the-art website. For her latest news, visit her website at peggywebb.com, stop by her blog to leave a note, and contact her with any questions. She appreciates her fans and loves hearing what you think.
Series:
* Westmoreland Diaries
* A Southern Cousins Mystery
Peggy is an accomplished pianist and singer, and has graced the stage of her local community theater in roles such as M'lynn in Steel Magnolias (played by Sally Field in the movie), and the White Witch in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. She composed the blues lyrics she credited to her characters in two of her books, including her latest thriller series from Bookouture, the Logan Sisters. She passed her love of music to her family. Her son plays guitar and harmonica, her daughter and two granddaughters sing, her youngest grandson plays piano, and her grandson David Webb made the gorgeous photographs that appear through her new, state-of-the-art website. For her latest news, visit her website at peggywebb.com, stop by her blog to leave a note, and contact her with any questions. She appreciates her fans and loves hearing what you think.
Series:
* Westmoreland Diaries
* A Southern Cousins Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
August 18, 2016
Well this sat on my shelf way too long; but I'm so pleased that I finally got around to it.
For me, it was a rare combination of something different, yet vaguely familiar...in a warm & comforting way. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it & experienced many feels, in the best ways possible.
For me, it was a rare combination of something different, yet vaguely familiar...in a warm & comforting way. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it & experienced many feels, in the best ways possible.
October 6, 2014
Almost 5 stars. I'm surprised this book isn't on more TBR lists, or read lists. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Ellen and her aunt, Ruth. Ellen is an abused wife on the run from her husband. She and Ruth decide the safest place for them to hide is the circus. There they become part of a family of circus performers who protect them. It is a good story, rich in description, filled with caring relationships. It reminded me a lot of Water For Elephants. I highly recommend this book. I have not read anything else by this author, and as I looked at her other novels, didn't see anything else that really captured my interest. I hope she continues to write stories such as this one.
July 26, 2015
All things considered, I liked this book. I'm surprised I'm giving this 4 stars and not 3, because it is subject that has been done many times. But this one had an interesting twist that was definitely new to me and I did enjoy the reading of this.
What I liked most, was the circus setting. It was a fun twist and a great addition since the story was predictable in the way it dealt with domestic violence. I liked that the victim had loved ones and others that rallied to her defense. The characters were stereotyped, but there were enough new things that kept it from being stale. So 4 stars.
What I liked most, was the circus setting. It was a fun twist and a great addition since the story was predictable in the way it dealt with domestic violence. I liked that the victim had loved ones and others that rallied to her defense. The characters were stereotyped, but there were enough new things that kept it from being stale. So 4 stars.
September 9, 2014
“The Language of Silence” by Peggy Webb, published by Gallery Books.
Category – Fiction/Literature Publication Date – September 09, 2014
Sometimes when you pick up a book you are not sure if you really want to read it, and sometimes you are delightfully surprised. This is the case of “The Language of Silence”.
Ellen Blair dreamed of the perfect life, married to a wonderful successful husband and having beautiful children. Ellen married a very successful man but a man that was physically abuse to her. Making matters worse she succumbed to his abuse and covered up the bruises of their relationship. Nobody in the community was the wiser as they held her husband, Wayne, in high esteem. Ellen tried to get out of her situation by running away to a women’s shelter, only to be tracked down by Wayne and beaten to within an inch of her life.
Knowing that she had to try again Ellen decides to run away to the circus. She knows that circus people are a very closed knit group that is very protective of their own. She also feels that their continual movement will help her thwart Wayne’s chances of finding her.
When Ellen leaves she is accompanied by her aging, shotgun totting Aunt Ruth, who is not only feisty but has no qualms about using her shotgun.
Ellen finds refuge in The Great Giovanni Bros./Hogan & Sandusky Circus. Ellen discovers that she is pregnant and that the circus was a refuge of her grandmother who was also escaping spousal abuse.
A wonderful ending when Ellen finally confronts Wayne and she discovers the true story of her Aunt.
Category – Fiction/Literature Publication Date – September 09, 2014
Sometimes when you pick up a book you are not sure if you really want to read it, and sometimes you are delightfully surprised. This is the case of “The Language of Silence”.
Ellen Blair dreamed of the perfect life, married to a wonderful successful husband and having beautiful children. Ellen married a very successful man but a man that was physically abuse to her. Making matters worse she succumbed to his abuse and covered up the bruises of their relationship. Nobody in the community was the wiser as they held her husband, Wayne, in high esteem. Ellen tried to get out of her situation by running away to a women’s shelter, only to be tracked down by Wayne and beaten to within an inch of her life.
Knowing that she had to try again Ellen decides to run away to the circus. She knows that circus people are a very closed knit group that is very protective of their own. She also feels that their continual movement will help her thwart Wayne’s chances of finding her.
When Ellen leaves she is accompanied by her aging, shotgun totting Aunt Ruth, who is not only feisty but has no qualms about using her shotgun.
Ellen finds refuge in The Great Giovanni Bros./Hogan & Sandusky Circus. Ellen discovers that she is pregnant and that the circus was a refuge of her grandmother who was also escaping spousal abuse.
A wonderful ending when Ellen finally confronts Wayne and she discovers the true story of her Aunt.
December 21, 2014
From the very first page, I was enchanted by this book. There is no other way to describe it. Each character's voice was so distinct, and Webb's prose so evocative, that I wanted to spend the day doing nothing but entering the world created here.
Ellen is fleeing an abusive husband, so she goes to her elderly aunt Ruth for help. Together, the two of them run away to join the circus -- just as Ellen's grandmother had done decades before.
As Ellen begins to feel at home in her new family, her husband is looking for her ... and Ruth's having visions that show how it will all turn out.
While this could have been just another tale with paranormal overtones, instead this is a look at family dynamics and the real nature of love, revealed in each circus performer's own hidden secrets.
There are a good many twists and turns in this book that keep the reader on the edge of his or her seat, rooting for Ellen and Ruth to triumph.
Absolutely to-notch literary fiction, and highly recommended.
Ellen is fleeing an abusive husband, so she goes to her elderly aunt Ruth for help. Together, the two of them run away to join the circus -- just as Ellen's grandmother had done decades before.
As Ellen begins to feel at home in her new family, her husband is looking for her ... and Ruth's having visions that show how it will all turn out.
While this could have been just another tale with paranormal overtones, instead this is a look at family dynamics and the real nature of love, revealed in each circus performer's own hidden secrets.
There are a good many twists and turns in this book that keep the reader on the edge of his or her seat, rooting for Ellen and Ruth to triumph.
Absolutely to-notch literary fiction, and highly recommended.
March 28, 2014
More than a four - nearly a five.
When I first requested this book, I was concerned - every review and write-up seemed to stress the abusive husband, and I was afraid there would be more abuse detail than I could stand. Luckily, that was not the case, and I just finished reading what will surely be one of my favorite books of the year.
This is a story of strength and resilience, with beautifully developed characters. It's also written in a way to involve all the senses - my inner eye, inner taste buds, and yes, even my inner sniffer were all fully engaged. I love that the details included tastes and scents, because they are so much a part of one's experience in situations.
Another personal favorite - family dynamics - is touched upon in a loving way. In the end, this is a beautiful, affirming, and magical book, and the abuse is only related in a way that is vitally necessary to the story line.
I received an ARC for review.
When I first requested this book, I was concerned - every review and write-up seemed to stress the abusive husband, and I was afraid there would be more abuse detail than I could stand. Luckily, that was not the case, and I just finished reading what will surely be one of my favorite books of the year.
This is a story of strength and resilience, with beautifully developed characters. It's also written in a way to involve all the senses - my inner eye, inner taste buds, and yes, even my inner sniffer were all fully engaged. I love that the details included tastes and scents, because they are so much a part of one's experience in situations.
Another personal favorite - family dynamics - is touched upon in a loving way. In the end, this is a beautiful, affirming, and magical book, and the abuse is only related in a way that is vitally necessary to the story line.
I received an ARC for review.
January 31, 2020
I listened to this story via our library "hoopla" access. The reader's voice was easy to listen to and the story of Ellen and her Aunt Ruth was one that kept me listening daily until the expected ending. I wasn't sure how it would all come together, but I knew the end (of Wayne) would be worth the wait. It was! Friendship, and tigers and elephants... oh my!!
February 9, 2026
This is a story of rebirth, discovering your own power, and the meaning of a found family. Major trigger warning for domestic abuse as Ellen spends the whole book on the run from her piece of shit husband. It's a tense story, knowing he's after her and waiting for him to show up. But there are light moments too, like Ellen's work as a teacher and the whimsy of circus life. The circus backdrop works so well. I could easily visualize the big top, the caravan, the animals. It's heartwarming watching the performers and crew embrace Ellen and Aunt Ruth (who is quite the firecracker). Despite the hard to read abuse scenes, I really enjoyed this.
January 10, 2023
Ellen's family does not talk about Lola, her grandmother, who ran off to become a tiger trainer with the circus. But when Ellen's husband Wayne almost beats her to death, she and her great aunt Ruth run to the same circus Lola had gone to. Will she be able to have a life free from Wayne's abuse?
I read this book in one sitting. I've read many books on abuse but this one had a fresh twist. I've always been fascinated by circuses and very much enjoyed this story. Highly recommended.
I read this book in one sitting. I've read many books on abuse but this one had a fresh twist. I've always been fascinated by circuses and very much enjoyed this story. Highly recommended.
July 7, 2014
3.5 stars
This is at once a difficult book to read and an easily flowing tale that will captivate your senses and make your heart bleed for the main character.
The difficulty is not found in the writing style. The author has crafted a beautiful book full of memorable characters that capture your heart and make you really feel for them and their various plights. The main character is a strong female protagonist but does not come off as a staunch feminist. She has a layered personality including a light and silly side that makes you love her.
The difficulty comes in the subject matter. If you have read other books about abused women, such as Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen, then you know how traumatic reading such novels can be. This book is at times heart-wrenching, but beautiful just the same. Any woman who has been in an abusive relationship will no doubt find something to identify with here.
Family and friendships and unlikely bonds take centre stage in this novel and remind us that not all family has to be blood relation. The history of the circus and the demons it possesses makes for an interesting and fulfilling side story that I thought worked really well.
Where I felt this book went awry, was the ending. This was such a serious book throughout, and I expected a big finish where the bad guy got his in the end. I never felt that happened. His goodbye was perhaps creative, and most definitely original, but not altogether believable. In fact, I thought it bordered on silliness. I was left with questions about the safety of the main character and her child.
Still this was a book worthy of the time to read and I will always be happy I had the chance to do so. It is very special to me, for many reasons. I would encourage others to give it a read and form their own opinions about it.
This is the kind of book you want to share with someone you love. Life, second chances, courage and the bravery we don't always believe we possess until we have to face a situation that draws it out of us are all prevalent themes in this book.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
This is at once a difficult book to read and an easily flowing tale that will captivate your senses and make your heart bleed for the main character.
The difficulty is not found in the writing style. The author has crafted a beautiful book full of memorable characters that capture your heart and make you really feel for them and their various plights. The main character is a strong female protagonist but does not come off as a staunch feminist. She has a layered personality including a light and silly side that makes you love her.
The difficulty comes in the subject matter. If you have read other books about abused women, such as Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen, then you know how traumatic reading such novels can be. This book is at times heart-wrenching, but beautiful just the same. Any woman who has been in an abusive relationship will no doubt find something to identify with here.
Family and friendships and unlikely bonds take centre stage in this novel and remind us that not all family has to be blood relation. The history of the circus and the demons it possesses makes for an interesting and fulfilling side story that I thought worked really well.
Where I felt this book went awry, was the ending. This was such a serious book throughout, and I expected a big finish where the bad guy got his in the end. I never felt that happened. His goodbye was perhaps creative, and most definitely original, but not altogether believable. In fact, I thought it bordered on silliness. I was left with questions about the safety of the main character and her child.
Still this was a book worthy of the time to read and I will always be happy I had the chance to do so. It is very special to me, for many reasons. I would encourage others to give it a read and form their own opinions about it.
This is the kind of book you want to share with someone you love. Life, second chances, courage and the bravery we don't always believe we possess until we have to face a situation that draws it out of us are all prevalent themes in this book.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
July 2, 2014
I tend to love books about the circus. There's just something about them that's so magical even if there are not magical elements in the story. They're just utterly captivating. While I did like The Language of Silence, I felt that that enchantment I usually feel when I read about the circus was missing from this novel.
The good: The characters in The Language of Silence were magnificent. I loved watching the protagonist go from meek, somewhat submissive Ellen into fiery and strong Eve. Her development throughout the entire novel was what really impressed me and kept me flipping the pages. I also really liked the supporting characters. However, while I usually love the supporting characters more than the main characters in books, I found that some of the supporting characters here weren't really that developed. I wanted to learn more about Jocko and I wanted to know more about why Nicky wasn't talking. I wanted to know some of Michele's backstory.
I also found that I was less intrigued by Lola and Razz than I should have been. Her backstory just wasn't all that developed and was a plot point in The Language of Silence that I tended to skip. I just found Lola somewhat boring when compared to Eve.
Overall, I found The Language of Silence to be an okay read. It definitely isn't as captivating or enchanting as The Night Circus or Water for Elephants. But if you're more interested in the women's fiction angle of this book as opposed to the circus angle, then I think you'll be satisfied.
The good: The characters in The Language of Silence were magnificent. I loved watching the protagonist go from meek, somewhat submissive Ellen into fiery and strong Eve. Her development throughout the entire novel was what really impressed me and kept me flipping the pages. I also really liked the supporting characters. However, while I usually love the supporting characters more than the main characters in books, I found that some of the supporting characters here weren't really that developed. I wanted to learn more about Jocko and I wanted to know more about why Nicky wasn't talking. I wanted to know some of Michele's backstory.
I also found that I was less intrigued by Lola and Razz than I should have been. Her backstory just wasn't all that developed and was a plot point in The Language of Silence that I tended to skip. I just found Lola somewhat boring when compared to Eve.
Overall, I found The Language of Silence to be an okay read. It definitely isn't as captivating or enchanting as The Night Circus or Water for Elephants. But if you're more interested in the women's fiction angle of this book as opposed to the circus angle, then I think you'll be satisfied.
July 26, 2016
What a spectacular book. I loved the rich history of the past and Lola as well as the bright and exciting future with Ellen and her Aunt. I was so proud of Ellen for sticking up for herself and not falling into the pattern of her mother. Which she easily could have done. Ellen had great strength. I was not expecting the magical touch/element in this book. It was a nice one. Ellen's Aunt had a special talent that was intertwined with tigers.
The author did not just give the glam and sparkle of the circus but also the family bond that the carnie people share working and living together as a close knit community. As the story progressed, Ellen grew stronger and stronger and really found herself as a person. All of the characters came alive in the book. Plus, I liked the ending of the book. I will be checking out more books by this author.
The author did not just give the glam and sparkle of the circus but also the family bond that the carnie people share working and living together as a close knit community. As the story progressed, Ellen grew stronger and stronger and really found herself as a person. All of the characters came alive in the book. Plus, I liked the ending of the book. I will be checking out more books by this author.
March 10, 2015
A friend of mine recommended this book. I refused saying circus books are not my thing. She insisted I try it, I sighed and reluctantly agreed. Three days later I returned it worn, battered, and at certain chapters tear stained.
This book was wonderful, heart breaking, funny and intoxicating all in one. It redefines the conventional ideas of family and what it means to have a home. It shows that family does not need to be blood to be tightly bound. In fact sometimes the best, albeit hardest, decisions to make are to free yourself of a toxic family in order to find people who choose, willingly to support and love you without any biological obligation. Once you find people such as these you have truly found your way home.
This book was wonderful, heart breaking, funny and intoxicating all in one. It redefines the conventional ideas of family and what it means to have a home. It shows that family does not need to be blood to be tightly bound. In fact sometimes the best, albeit hardest, decisions to make are to free yourself of a toxic family in order to find people who choose, willingly to support and love you without any biological obligation. Once you find people such as these you have truly found your way home.
October 29, 2014
Really enjoyed this book. Circus books generally make me happy and this one did not disappoint. Ellen was a woman that felt so real that you wanted her to win. Aunt Ruth is such a fun character that you root for her. Wish I got to know jocko and ray bob better but overall a really good read.
December 30, 2014
Redundant and sappy. Some nice imagery of tigers, and the history of the circus. Each character had only one thought/feeling that was repeated over and over, and the cheesy metaphors were more "over the top" than "big top." I can't even stand my own review of it.
May 11, 2017
A well crafted, emotionally intense story, that left me in tears at times. Suspenseful and intriguing, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, even if I usually don't like stories set in a circus (we could get into a discussion of what I think about traveling circuses, but after all, this is only fiction).
I was mesmerized, and could not put the book down to the end.
I was mesmerized, and could not put the book down to the end.
April 30, 2018
Not as great as I thought it would be. I think Water for Elephants has set the bar so high for running off and joining the circus genre it would be hard to top that. The jumps back and forth in time, Ruth's visions and then their name changes made me very confused. A satisfying ending between Ellen/Eve and Wayne so that saved it from being a total wash.
March 26, 2024
Unfortunately, I had to abandon this book- only, I think, because it was the audiobook version. I simply could not listen to the narrator speak like a lisping four year old child for another second. I nearly lost my mind. I feel like maybe narrators shouldn't try to do children's voices in adult books- it just sounds crazy and ridiculous and soooo annoying.
August 10, 2019
Oh my goodness! I love stories that involve the circus and this one did not disappoint! It had my heart racing at several points in the story. Character development was on target and I felt as if I was in the story myself and Aunt Ruth was my aunt.
June 26, 2021
I did not like this book as much as I like many books. There were some good parts to the story. But mostly I have read too many books about abused wives who flee from their husbands in sometimes preposterous ways. I felt like this story was not connected to reality in too many ways.
February 17, 2019
Nice story, a little cheesy but not overly. I found the circus scenes surprisingly fun.
February 14, 2020
A masterful mixture of suspense, fantasy and historical fiction. One of my favorites in quite some time......
November 7, 2020
A woman runs away from an abusive husband and joins the circus, just as her grandmother did before her.
September 16, 2024
Read a lot like a combination of Water For Elephants and Night Circus. Everything fell into place a little too perfectly, especially at the end. It did however pull you through the book.
February 27, 2017
I am not a circus fan but found the setting interesting. It carried the hook for me.
August 28, 2014
This is an inspiring tale, a story so engrossing that I if I hadn't had to work, if everyday life would have just let me be, I'd have read this book in a day. I didn't want to put it down.
There are two wonderful heroines in this. I absolutely LOVED Ruth. She's a spunkier-than-all-get-out old lady whose home is in the Ozarks. She has visions and tries to interpret them and wants nothing more than to save her battered niece and find out what happened to her own sister Lola years ago.
"You ain't gonna find nothin' here but a skinny old woman with a tough hide. Now, git."
Ruth had never seen anything, man nor beast that she couldn't outsmart, outlast, and outfight if she tried.
"Give me enough skeins of yarn, and I can knit a slipcover for the Empire State Building."
And the niece, Ellen. She's beaten black and blue by her husband and her own mother doesn't even believe her, and when she attempts to go to a shelter, she finds herself back in his un-loving arms. What can she do? She has so much courage in what she does. As the story unfolds, we watch her, with Ruth's help, grow a backbone of steel, stand up for herself, and follow her dreams. I loved her in the end, absolutely loved her. I recommend all women read this book.
She would not be her mother, she would not be June Cleaver, and she'd be damned if she'd let a backwoods woman from Tremont, Mississippi, be her hero, no matter how many hit records Wynette had.
But this is not just a battered-woman story, or even the story of a woman escaping. It's also about the circus family. It's about a special-ed teacher. It's about a woman in the past who worked with tigers. However, I wish there had been more of that stuff--a lot more. I feel Lola's story was not strong enough, nor was there enough of it, to really have any relevance to the modern story. And the circus family's acceptance of Ellen and Ruth--it was so sudden. I imagine some time went by, but how much? There's so little interaction with the people before suddenly she's one of the family. And as for her being a special-ed teacher, what and when does she actually teach? There's all of three scenes with her school kids and except for one reading session, they just seem to play and all of a sudden, a boy who couldn't speak is speaking.
Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
There are two wonderful heroines in this. I absolutely LOVED Ruth. She's a spunkier-than-all-get-out old lady whose home is in the Ozarks. She has visions and tries to interpret them and wants nothing more than to save her battered niece and find out what happened to her own sister Lola years ago.
"You ain't gonna find nothin' here but a skinny old woman with a tough hide. Now, git."
Ruth had never seen anything, man nor beast that she couldn't outsmart, outlast, and outfight if she tried.
"Give me enough skeins of yarn, and I can knit a slipcover for the Empire State Building."
And the niece, Ellen. She's beaten black and blue by her husband and her own mother doesn't even believe her, and when she attempts to go to a shelter, she finds herself back in his un-loving arms. What can she do? She has so much courage in what she does. As the story unfolds, we watch her, with Ruth's help, grow a backbone of steel, stand up for herself, and follow her dreams. I loved her in the end, absolutely loved her. I recommend all women read this book.
She would not be her mother, she would not be June Cleaver, and she'd be damned if she'd let a backwoods woman from Tremont, Mississippi, be her hero, no matter how many hit records Wynette had.
But this is not just a battered-woman story, or even the story of a woman escaping. It's also about the circus family. It's about a special-ed teacher. It's about a woman in the past who worked with tigers. However, I wish there had been more of that stuff--a lot more. I feel Lola's story was not strong enough, nor was there enough of it, to really have any relevance to the modern story. And the circus family's acceptance of Ellen and Ruth--it was so sudden. I imagine some time went by, but how much? There's so little interaction with the people before suddenly she's one of the family. And as for her being a special-ed teacher, what and when does she actually teach? There's all of three scenes with her school kids and except for one reading session, they just seem to play and all of a sudden, a boy who couldn't speak is speaking.
Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
December 19, 2016
THE LANGUAGE OF SILENCE by Peggy Webb is a tale of domestic abuse and survival - with a traveling circus as its primary setting. Also present are elements of whimsy and fantasy in this tale where the animals are magically in tune with their trainers and the circus family pulls together through thick and thin.
Ellen Blair, is a battered and pregnant wife living in the Deep South circa 1970 who, like her grandma Lola before her, takes to the road to join a traveling circus (the very same one that sheltered her grandmother) in the desperate hope of escaping her outwardly charming and successful but abusive husband, Wayne. Accompanying her is her great aunt Ruth, Lola's sister, a woman gifted with second sight. Ruth is often guided by the dead Lola and on more than one occasion utilizes her gift to ensure Ellen's safety and her future.
There are a colorful assortment of performers and crew at the Great Giovani Bros. /Hogan and Sandusky Circus where Ellen, working under the name Eve, procures employment teaching the handful of children traveling with the show. One of her charges is Nicky, the four year old grandson of the circus owner, who has been mute since witnessing the death of his mother during the performance of her act. There is also Razz, the tiger taming man of few words. Perhaps it is these two that form the basis for the Language of Silence title- - OR - - perhaps silence is just the metaphorical allusion to, and literary portrayal of, man's response in coping with events of any physical or mental trauma. You will have to judge for yourself.
While there are a couple of scenes in the book that seem a little dramatically "over the top", the narrative does move along and manages to engage the reader in Ellen/Eve's plight as she fights to break the cycle of violence, that the women of her family have suffered over generations, and forge a better future for herself and her unborn child with her circus family.
Ellen Blair, is a battered and pregnant wife living in the Deep South circa 1970 who, like her grandma Lola before her, takes to the road to join a traveling circus (the very same one that sheltered her grandmother) in the desperate hope of escaping her outwardly charming and successful but abusive husband, Wayne. Accompanying her is her great aunt Ruth, Lola's sister, a woman gifted with second sight. Ruth is often guided by the dead Lola and on more than one occasion utilizes her gift to ensure Ellen's safety and her future.
There are a colorful assortment of performers and crew at the Great Giovani Bros. /Hogan and Sandusky Circus where Ellen, working under the name Eve, procures employment teaching the handful of children traveling with the show. One of her charges is Nicky, the four year old grandson of the circus owner, who has been mute since witnessing the death of his mother during the performance of her act. There is also Razz, the tiger taming man of few words. Perhaps it is these two that form the basis for the Language of Silence title- - OR - - perhaps silence is just the metaphorical allusion to, and literary portrayal of, man's response in coping with events of any physical or mental trauma. You will have to judge for yourself.
While there are a couple of scenes in the book that seem a little dramatically "over the top", the narrative does move along and manages to engage the reader in Ellen/Eve's plight as she fights to break the cycle of violence, that the women of her family have suffered over generations, and forge a better future for herself and her unborn child with her circus family.
January 18, 2015
Following in the footsteps of her tiger-taming grandmother, a woman flees her abusive husband to join the circus in this masterful, heartfelt work of women’s fiction.
Anna Michaels won raves for her debut novel, The Tender Mercy of Roses, with novelist Pat Conroy calling her “a truly gifted writer.” Now Michaels has crafted a poignant portrayal of a woman on the edge seeking solace in the past.
Nobody in the family talks about Ellen’s grandmother, Lola, who was swallowed up by the circus and emerged as a woman who tamed tigers and got away scot-free for killing her husband.
When Ellen’s husband, Wayne, beats her nearly to death, she runs to the only place she knows where a woman can completely disappear—the same Big Top that once sheltered her grandmother.
Though the circus moves from one town to the next, Wayne tracks it, and Ellen, relentlessly. At the same time, Ellen learns more about her feisty, fiery relative, and the heritage that is hers for the taking—if she dares.
With her violent husband hot on her trail, Ellen must learn to stand up and fight for herself, to break the cycle of abuse, and pass down a story of love and redemption to her children.
--My thoughts. I am surprised more people aren't reading this in groups! This book is so good. I have never read anything else by this writer. More than just a tale of abuse, you will come to adore all the characters in this lovely tale of redemption. I love how the circus protects their own. When Razz saw Wayne on the Phil show, he was so protective! I love how Webb writes, " She dressed with the efficiency of a woman who'd made a practice of getting up with the sunrise and working every blessed minute till sundown."
Anna Michaels won raves for her debut novel, The Tender Mercy of Roses, with novelist Pat Conroy calling her “a truly gifted writer.” Now Michaels has crafted a poignant portrayal of a woman on the edge seeking solace in the past.
Nobody in the family talks about Ellen’s grandmother, Lola, who was swallowed up by the circus and emerged as a woman who tamed tigers and got away scot-free for killing her husband.
When Ellen’s husband, Wayne, beats her nearly to death, she runs to the only place she knows where a woman can completely disappear—the same Big Top that once sheltered her grandmother.
Though the circus moves from one town to the next, Wayne tracks it, and Ellen, relentlessly. At the same time, Ellen learns more about her feisty, fiery relative, and the heritage that is hers for the taking—if she dares.
With her violent husband hot on her trail, Ellen must learn to stand up and fight for herself, to break the cycle of abuse, and pass down a story of love and redemption to her children.
--My thoughts. I am surprised more people aren't reading this in groups! This book is so good. I have never read anything else by this writer. More than just a tale of abuse, you will come to adore all the characters in this lovely tale of redemption. I love how the circus protects their own. When Razz saw Wayne on the Phil show, he was so protective! I love how Webb writes, " She dressed with the efficiency of a woman who'd made a practice of getting up with the sunrise and working every blessed minute till sundown."
April 5, 2019
"The Language of Silence" was full of drama and suspense. The characters were complex, and their relationships changed throughout the story. Many of the people we meet in this story have mysterious, unknown backgrounds that make the main character, Ellen, feel like she belongs. which ultimately she does, not only because of her grandmothers past involvement, but because anyone running from something or someone belongs in their circus it seems. Anything involving a circus setting is a win for me. I enjoyed the suspense from this book and the happy ending was nice since it can be hard for a lot of people to read about domestic abuse. I always think "just leave" when I read cases of abuse, but this book really opened my eyes as to why that may not be as easy as it seems. This book also made me rethink the concept of "behind a closed door". To outsiders, Ellen's life and marriage seemed perfect, the type of relationship that a lot of people dread of, but for Ellen, it was a nightmare that she could not escape. It was nice to see that she made it through her journey and that her husband didn't win in the end. On a personal note, I also felt a little attached to Ellen's new persona, Eve, because that's my daughters name, which Ellen used once she became strong and independent. Overall, this book had a little something for everyone and kept the pages turning.
June 30, 2016
Following in the footsteps of her tiger-taming grandmother, a woman flees her abusive husband to join the circus in this masterful, heartfelt work of women’s fiction.
Nobody in the family talks about Ellen’s grandmother, Lola, who was swallowed up by the circus and emerged as a woman who tamed tigers and got away scot-free for killing her husband.
When Ellen’s husband, Wayne, beats her nearly to death, she runs to the only place she knows where a woman can completely disappear—the same Big Top that once sheltered her grandmother.
Though the circus moves from one town to the next, Wayne tracks it, and Ellen, relentlessly. At the same time, Ellen learns more about her feisty, fiery relative, and the heritage that is hers for the taking—if she dares.
With her violent husband hot on her trail, Ellen must learn to stand up and fight for herself, to break the cycle of abuse, and pass down a story of love and redemption to her children.
I loved this book. It's the story of a woman growing into herself in the same way that her grandmother did. It's a wonderfully written story that brought me so fully into the story that I felt everything Ellen - or Eve, as she'd prefer to be called- was feeling, and learning Lola's past was a great way to contrast the two women who were similar in many ways. I absolutely loved the way the circus took both women in, and I won't spoil anything, but I absolutely loved this book.
Also read: Water for Elephants
Nobody in the family talks about Ellen’s grandmother, Lola, who was swallowed up by the circus and emerged as a woman who tamed tigers and got away scot-free for killing her husband.
When Ellen’s husband, Wayne, beats her nearly to death, she runs to the only place she knows where a woman can completely disappear—the same Big Top that once sheltered her grandmother.
Though the circus moves from one town to the next, Wayne tracks it, and Ellen, relentlessly. At the same time, Ellen learns more about her feisty, fiery relative, and the heritage that is hers for the taking—if she dares.
With her violent husband hot on her trail, Ellen must learn to stand up and fight for herself, to break the cycle of abuse, and pass down a story of love and redemption to her children.
I loved this book. It's the story of a woman growing into herself in the same way that her grandmother did. It's a wonderfully written story that brought me so fully into the story that I felt everything Ellen - or Eve, as she'd prefer to be called- was feeling, and learning Lola's past was a great way to contrast the two women who were similar in many ways. I absolutely loved the way the circus took both women in, and I won't spoil anything, but I absolutely loved this book.
Also read: Water for Elephants
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