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Louder Than Words
Rafi hasn't spoken for eight years. It's up to her to tell her brother's story now that he can't speak either ...
Rafi idolises her seventeen-year-old brother, who is popular, generous and a borderline genius. Ever protective, Silas always includes her when he's with his friends, so Rafi gets to hear all sorts of things that younger sisters wouldn't normally be a part of. Like the time Silas hacks a gaming site to help out his friend Josie, who has been trashed by her ex.
With Josie, Rafi finds herself with a proper friend for the first time in her life. As they grow closer, she realises that she wants to find a way back into the world – she wants to learn to speak again. But Silas has found a new interest too – and it’s taking him away from everything that was once important to him. Can Rafi find the words to save her brother?
Rafi idolises her seventeen-year-old brother, who is popular, generous and a borderline genius. Ever protective, Silas always includes her when he's with his friends, so Rafi gets to hear all sorts of things that younger sisters wouldn't normally be a part of. Like the time Silas hacks a gaming site to help out his friend Josie, who has been trashed by her ex.
With Josie, Rafi finds herself with a proper friend for the first time in her life. As they grow closer, she realises that she wants to find a way back into the world – she wants to learn to speak again. But Silas has found a new interest too – and it’s taking him away from everything that was once important to him. Can Rafi find the words to save her brother?
416 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2014
10 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
Laura Jarratt
9 books245 followersLaura Jarratt was born in Salford in the 1970s, the decade fashion should really forget. She remains mentally scarred from the numerous childhood photos of her in very bad clothes, which she blames for her present aversion to having her picture taken. Despite being good at English, Classics and Modern Foreign Languages, she accidentally studied Microbiology at university and then went on to work in education. Laura escaped the city as soon as possible as she becomes claustrophobic if not surrounded by enough green. Concrete just does not do it for her.
She's lived throughout the UK but came home to the North West where she is currently owned by Henry, a ginger cat without a tail, who holds the family in thrall.
She's lived throughout the UK but came home to the North West where she is currently owned by Henry, a ginger cat without a tail, who holds the family in thrall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 2, 2015
review by Beth
A main character without the ability to speak is a fascinating thing and it makes Louder than Words stand out and immediately mark itself as different from other novels in its genre. Despite her limitations Rafaela (Rafi) is very relatable and realistic and is the kind of character I can imagine myself (over a decade ago now) nodding along with and completely ‘getting’, if that makes sense.
Unfortunately for the author the other key characters are less easy to relate to and less captivating, Josie in particularly didn’t get the same level of empathy or understanding from me but she and the other characters played an important role which was essential for the book to move forward. The friendship aspect of this novel is really well played out and well written and gives a novel with more than its fair share of hardship a sense of grounding.
As well as Rafi and Josie there is Silas, who we see through his first person letters to his father. This is another thing about this novel that stands out, the format it’s written in, with Pinterest quotes and small snippets from Josie and letters from Silas, as it makes the novel even more compelling and gives each character a more personal, separate identity, well defined and completely their own.
When things start to shift a little and Silas’ focus and activities move towards a new interest, ActionX. The political edge to this novel was the turning point for me when it moved from ‘OK, this is quite interesting and stuff’ to ‘great, this novelist is doing something different’ and the inclusion of speeches and almost preaching from characters like Lara is a brilliant inclusion, that is almost squirmingly uncomfortable but it is something that more YA novels need to cover I feel as the political climate is something that can be lost amongst stories which focus on personal relationships and hardship. I loved how clearly Jarratt showed that even those with the best intentions in the beginning can easily spiral out of control and how quickly political movements spread and grow.
This novel is a really clever creation, with more than one interesting issue from the progressive mutism that Rafi suffers to the extreme politics that become part of Silas’ story and this makes it more than worth a read.
A main character without the ability to speak is a fascinating thing and it makes Louder than Words stand out and immediately mark itself as different from other novels in its genre. Despite her limitations Rafaela (Rafi) is very relatable and realistic and is the kind of character I can imagine myself (over a decade ago now) nodding along with and completely ‘getting’, if that makes sense.
Unfortunately for the author the other key characters are less easy to relate to and less captivating, Josie in particularly didn’t get the same level of empathy or understanding from me but she and the other characters played an important role which was essential for the book to move forward. The friendship aspect of this novel is really well played out and well written and gives a novel with more than its fair share of hardship a sense of grounding.
As well as Rafi and Josie there is Silas, who we see through his first person letters to his father. This is another thing about this novel that stands out, the format it’s written in, with Pinterest quotes and small snippets from Josie and letters from Silas, as it makes the novel even more compelling and gives each character a more personal, separate identity, well defined and completely their own.
When things start to shift a little and Silas’ focus and activities move towards a new interest, ActionX. The political edge to this novel was the turning point for me when it moved from ‘OK, this is quite interesting and stuff’ to ‘great, this novelist is doing something different’ and the inclusion of speeches and almost preaching from characters like Lara is a brilliant inclusion, that is almost squirmingly uncomfortable but it is something that more YA novels need to cover I feel as the political climate is something that can be lost amongst stories which focus on personal relationships and hardship. I loved how clearly Jarratt showed that even those with the best intentions in the beginning can easily spiral out of control and how quickly political movements spread and grow.
This novel is a really clever creation, with more than one interesting issue from the progressive mutism that Rafi suffers to the extreme politics that become part of Silas’ story and this makes it more than worth a read.
May 21, 2019
A light, easy and uplifting read tinged with just the right shades of depth and intensity. If you are a fan of Sarah Crossan or Sara Barnard this book might be for you :)
February 4, 2020
I liked it, but it wasnt what I was expecting. People leave you all the time, and sometimes that really makes you messed up. I can feel the book, but not to the point where it could be. Loneliness is going to be the death of me. I just realised that this week, and this book emphasised it more. Damn.
July 30, 2014
I love the unique story line, it wasn't something too different or confusing and dramatic but still had all the action and drama.
the characters were amazing and lovable.It was really interesting having Rafi as the person speaking...because she is mute...but still her thoughts were believable, true and wonderful. the quotes within the book were well weaved into the story.
The ending was quite happy apart from one death which i may have disliked bu it was nice. I mean the drama leading to the ending was very well dramatic and the quote at the end was lovely and so i forgive the happy happy ending.
Laura Jarratt, i have come to realise is a very good writer and has a very good balance when writing so that the story is different enough to be interesting but still relatable and there is just something beautiful in her novels which i adore. I think it's how the characters aren't forced they aren't made to seem perfect but they are still likable though you can see their flaws.
Also you seem to find things out the same time as the characters and feel and suspect the same things. The writing was simply beautiful :)
Louder than words was a great read and i LOVED it!
couldn't stop reading it :)
OMG i am slightly hyped from talking about it soi it's time for a rant!
OMG IT WAS JUST SO COMPLETELY TRUE AND WONDERFUL AND WELL IT'S AMAZING BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT HOW WORDS MEAN SO MUCH BUT ALSO IT'S ABOUT ACTIOPNS ! (SILAS'S PART) AND WELL ABOUT LOVE AND IT'S UGH BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL!LOVE THE ACTION,DRAMA AND LESSONS! <£ LOVE IT!
Rafi's Truth book:
listen has the same letters as silent.
SILAS!<3
RAFI!!:D
JOSIE XD
April 12, 2017
I ordered Louder than words as soon as the novel was published and released being a huge fan of Laura Jarratts previous books and the emotional level that they both hit me on. With this one i didn't get pulled right in from the start and it wasn't until about half way through that i thought the story line really got going and we go to understand the characters and what they were about. I loved all of the characters that showed their faces in this novel and would have loved to seen some romance unravel between Silas and Josie more prominently nearing the end of the book. As always i would love there to me to the book at the end so that we would be able to follow on through the characters lives and how they would carrying on with themselves after the situation that had happened. When i always come to an end of one of her novels it leaves me thinking "no...that can't be the end already! I need to read more".
Personally i love Laura Jarratt as an author and writer and can't wait to see whats she comes out with next, i'm sure it's going to be as good as the rest.
Personally i love Laura Jarratt as an author and writer and can't wait to see whats she comes out with next, i'm sure it's going to be as good as the rest.
July 12, 2014
I picked this book up based on the title and read the first page in the bookshop. Being around the same age as Ravi and wanting to be a writer, I was immediately intrigued.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how Ravi and Silas's stories felt linked, but separate, like in real life. I loved Josie, who was fun and fearless and the type of best friend you very rarely see in books, even though you see them a lot on life.
Lara was an amazing character and the contrast between her and Josie showcased how first appearances are not always right.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes teenage fiction. My one complaint is that I didn't hear enough about Ravi's ambition to be a writer. I wish the author talked more about young writers and the struggles they face.
Enjoy it. It will make you see protestors in a very different way.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how Ravi and Silas's stories felt linked, but separate, like in real life. I loved Josie, who was fun and fearless and the type of best friend you very rarely see in books, even though you see them a lot on life.
Lara was an amazing character and the contrast between her and Josie showcased how first appearances are not always right.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes teenage fiction. My one complaint is that I didn't hear enough about Ravi's ambition to be a writer. I wish the author talked more about young writers and the struggles they face.
Enjoy it. It will make you see protestors in a very different way.
January 4, 2015
The premise for Louder Than Words hooked me as soon as I read the back cover. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the story completely surprised me (in the best way).
I really related to Rafi (Main Character) from the start. I liked the way she collected quotes, and the way she thought about things. I liked how even though Silas was ‘including’ her in his life, Rafi was really looking out for him.
For me, the way Rafi made friends with Josie, was slightly off. I’m not sure why- but it felt like it happened very quickly, and they went from living in the same neighbourhood to best friends within weeks, something I don’t feel would really happen in real life.
However, the characters, plot and writing were amazing, and I read it in under 24 hours. It was defiantly a unique idea.
I really related to Rafi (Main Character) from the start. I liked the way she collected quotes, and the way she thought about things. I liked how even though Silas was ‘including’ her in his life, Rafi was really looking out for him.
For me, the way Rafi made friends with Josie, was slightly off. I’m not sure why- but it felt like it happened very quickly, and they went from living in the same neighbourhood to best friends within weeks, something I don’t feel would really happen in real life.
However, the characters, plot and writing were amazing, and I read it in under 24 hours. It was defiantly a unique idea.
April 5, 2015
Heavily rounded up because I just like Jarratt. I like her style and her observations and I'll forgive her loads of stuff that I can't mention here without spoilers. I think it would have been a true 5-star experience if I hadn't read her second novel, where she already 'used up' some of the themes recycled here, in a less elegant way. Without By Any Other Namein between I probably would have said it was as good as Skin Deep, her phenomenal debut. I look forward to what she offers up next.
July 17, 2014
I really liked the premise of this book. I loved Rafi and I loved her relationship with Silas. Silas was a great brother. However, the more time he spent with Lara (ah! she makes me angry) the more stupid he got. I wanted to hit him he infuriated me so much. I would have given this book a higher rating if the plot was just a bit better. It left me a bit unsatisfied. Good effort though.
September 17, 2015
What made this book stand out to me was the relationship between Rafi, Silas and Josie. Seeing their determination to be there for each other, to protect and help each other is really what this book was about to me.
January 13, 2017
I really loved this book. I was hooked on the first page. Louder Than Words really was amazing.
July 1, 2015
I loved this book it really explored how selective mutism is the ending was dragged on and a bit boring but i was impressed by the story.
July 29, 2016
This book was incredible and everyone should read this
July 19, 2017
Argh. Erm, what to say, other than this book is a mess, and I was very bored reading this and only finished it because of the good reviews on here?
To elaborate: Louder Than Words feels like a very poorly put together book. We have two plot strands: Rafi, and her progressive mutism, and Silas and his infatuation with Lara and involvement in anarchy. And the two strands, in my opinion, never come together or relate to each other terribly well beyond the fact that Rafi and Silas are siblings. They feel like two plots dumped together, and the sudden inclusion of Silas voice a third of the way through is very strange indeed. It's just really messy, and as a result I wasn't drawn to any of the characters. It's also slow to get going, which is why I was so bored and skimmed from a third of the way in.
A better idea, I think, would have been to write two books out of the ideas for this - one focusing on Rafi an her struggles with friendship and her progressive mutism (Josie never felt a fully realised character to me, and would have benefited from more exploration) and then a separate book properly looking at a politicised young person. I think because neither strand was fully dealt with I was left very cold.
In conclusion: this is not Laura Jarratt's best book. Read Skin Deep instead (but not In Another Life, because I thought that wasn't great, either - though it's more a 2 stars to Louder Than Words 1.5 stars).
To elaborate: Louder Than Words feels like a very poorly put together book. We have two plot strands: Rafi, and her progressive mutism, and Silas and his infatuation with Lara and involvement in anarchy. And the two strands, in my opinion, never come together or relate to each other terribly well beyond the fact that Rafi and Silas are siblings. They feel like two plots dumped together, and the sudden inclusion of Silas voice a third of the way through is very strange indeed. It's just really messy, and as a result I wasn't drawn to any of the characters. It's also slow to get going, which is why I was so bored and skimmed from a third of the way in.
A better idea, I think, would have been to write two books out of the ideas for this - one focusing on Rafi an her struggles with friendship and her progressive mutism (Josie never felt a fully realised character to me, and would have benefited from more exploration) and then a separate book properly looking at a politicised young person. I think because neither strand was fully dealt with I was left very cold.
In conclusion: this is not Laura Jarratt's best book. Read Skin Deep instead (but not In Another Life, because I thought that wasn't great, either - though it's more a 2 stars to Louder Than Words 1.5 stars).
June 11, 2021
This book was such a quick read for me. I read it much faster than other books this length. I really enjoyed it, I picked it up because I’ve never read about a mute main character before and it was something I wanted to do. I loved the main characters in this story, they were all well developed and I found all of them to be very interesting and unique. The synopsis at the back of this book tells you that something happens to Silas and he also becomes mute. Knowing this made this book quite stressful for me (in a good way), there was a kind of background tension that was built on the basis that you knew something was going to go terribly wrong at some point in this book. The ending did not disappoint. I also really liked the fact that Rafi’s mutism was not “cured” during the course of this book. The book really left the message that people can be valid and heard and make friends while having a disability and didn’t have to be cured to be happy, which I was glad about as it was a concern I had going in.
Some things I didn’t like about this book…hmm, I’m honestly not sure. I can’t really pinpoint anything specific but this book just didn’t give me 5 star vibes. I wasn’t super invested and this is not a book I will think about much now that I’ve finished it. Cute story, I had a lot of fun, just didn’t impact me enough to get the full 5 stars, making it: 4 Stars.
Some things I didn’t like about this book…hmm, I’m honestly not sure. I can’t really pinpoint anything specific but this book just didn’t give me 5 star vibes. I wasn’t super invested and this is not a book I will think about much now that I’ve finished it. Cute story, I had a lot of fun, just didn’t impact me enough to get the full 5 stars, making it: 4 Stars.
January 23, 2018
Maybe it's just me but I found that:
- Rafi's "voice" (as the narrator) was written to sound a lot younger than it should have, and similarly the other characters weren't too accurate
- Silas met Lara and went OOC to keep up with the plot
- The ending was overdone and extreme - honestly just a bit desperate of the writer
But at the same time, Louder Than Words a pleasantly easy read that you can sit down with, have a little eyebrow raising at, and enjoy the simplicity of it all.
- Rafi's "voice" (as the narrator) was written to sound a lot younger than it should have, and similarly the other characters weren't too accurate
- Silas met Lara and went OOC to keep up with the plot
- The ending was overdone and extreme - honestly just a bit desperate of the writer
But at the same time, Louder Than Words a pleasantly easy read that you can sit down with, have a little eyebrow raising at, and enjoy the simplicity of it all.
October 14, 2017
This book made me feel happy and sad at the same time. I liked how the story was pieced together by the quotes, the letters and Raphael's story telling. The whole story was sad in a way. The truth in lies. I found it really got to me in a good way. Not speaking doesn't change how anyone can communicate. The ending was nice and how it wrapped up nicely on the end, sad and happy. "We can not have happiness, without sadness", one is always balanced by the other.
September 7, 2022
Dramatic, enticing, a book I didn’t want to end. I really resonated with certain aspects of the themes and characters in this book which was surprising seeing as violent protests feature a fair amount (not my style). However the contrast between violence and peace was striking. Ultimately, reading this taught me that some things are worth fighting for and even if there are massive hiccups along the way, there can still be incredible outcomes.
June 5, 2017
An absolutely stunning book, written beautifully and truly eye-opening. I picked it up while casually browsing the shelves, and honestly borrowed only so I'd have something to read. How unsuspecting I was when I began to actually read the book. I fell in love with the characters immediately and held my breath when the plot twist ensued. A truly amazing novel.
July 23, 2017
This is the first book I read and finished during my holidays. It definitely captured my attention and drew me in. And I loved that the story reminded me that love doesn't always have to be loud and addicting, but when it's true and real, it can just be having someone who you feel comfortable and not afraid around.
October 18, 2018
I picked up this book randomly from a bookstore because I have been so disappointed recently with all the mainstream books. It was nothing short of interesting. I have to say that I'm glad this book is not based on mysteries because that part of the book was a downside for me. What this book offered was issues such as progressive mutism, extreme politics and somehow entwined them into a story where relationship of a mute girl with her bestfriend and also her brother were shown in the healthiest possible way.
Another stand out thing is the beautiful pinterest quotes and their relevance to each chapters. The ending was overdone and made me feel a little bit like I'm witnessing some kind of 'Bollywood moment' but the simplicity of this book made it a very good read.
My Rating: 3.75
Another stand out thing is the beautiful pinterest quotes and their relevance to each chapters. The ending was overdone and made me feel a little bit like I'm witnessing some kind of 'Bollywood moment' but the simplicity of this book made it a very good read.
My Rating: 3.75
December 10, 2017
An easy read, but none of the characters felt particularly well-realised, and the structuring was a bit messy. Also, how hard would it have been to have found a script font for all those Pinterest quotes?
March 20, 2018
Was given this by a kid I teach, and I actually really liked it. You could figure out the plot fairly quickly, but it wasn't exactly the one you expected. Cyberbullying had a swift but sensible cameo, and the female friendships are important and well developed. Really liked this.
October 17, 2020
Kisah seorang remaja bernama Rafi yang berhenti bercakap ketika kecil. Diagnosed as selective mutism which means dulu dia berhenti bercakap atas kehendak sendri tetapi sekarang tidak mampu lagi untuk bercakap walau mempunyai keinginan untuk bercakap.
Kisah yang sangat unik, twisted plot at ending and you will be shock when you know the reason that she becomes selective mutism.
Kisah yang sangat unik, twisted plot at ending and you will be shock when you know the reason that she becomes selective mutism.
February 19, 2021
this book is without doubt my favourite novel ever written, such a gripping and emotional read. You become so invested in the story at some points you feel every loss, love and emotional turn. Laura Jarratt is without doubt my favourite author to step out of the writing world. 🌻
October 5, 2023
Beautifully written, I enjoyed the complex story around Rafi and her mutism, her process of making a friend and the story of Silas.
I was disappointed with the ending. It felt really rushed after such a build up.
I was disappointed with the ending. It felt really rushed after such a build up.
April 25, 2018
It has the plot twist that I didnt expect at all. Thumbs up for the writer for this beautiful story. I love it so much!
May 21, 2020
i loved this book
April 12, 2021
The stuff of heartbreak.
June 1, 2022
Although I liked how the author portrayed mutism accurately, I got bored reading the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews