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The Silence in the Sound
On the picturesque island of Martha’s Vineyard, an ailing celebrity novelist's famous book about a choice helps his young nurse make a heartrending one of her own.
Fiery city girl, Georgette's memory of a childhood trip to Martha's Vineyard Island with her father is one of the few good times. Her father was an alcoholic, and her enabler mother chose to stay with him; his addiction was the center of their world. Georgette fled home as soon as she could; years later, as a nurse, she's going back to the island to start her life over. There, she becomes the private nurse for the ailing prize-winning novelist, Mr. S., and becomes enamored with the mysterious Dock, a wash-ashore like her whose disappearing acts only make her crave his love more.
As Georgette cares for Mr. S. and helps him come to terms with the end of his life along Vineyard Sound's beautiful shores, they become friends. His famous book helps her navigate her life as George finds in the running away from her past, she inadvertently ran towards it. She loses herself in her relationship with Dock, who leads her down a road of denial and impossible choices she never thought she'd have to face.
Told through the voice of Georgette. The Silence in the Sound is a provocative coming-of-age debut revealing the lasting effects of growing up in addiction. But it also demonstrates a young woman’s strength as she navigates friendship, love, and heartbreak while finding her hidden strength along the way.
Fiery city girl, Georgette's memory of a childhood trip to Martha's Vineyard Island with her father is one of the few good times. Her father was an alcoholic, and her enabler mother chose to stay with him; his addiction was the center of their world. Georgette fled home as soon as she could; years later, as a nurse, she's going back to the island to start her life over. There, she becomes the private nurse for the ailing prize-winning novelist, Mr. S., and becomes enamored with the mysterious Dock, a wash-ashore like her whose disappearing acts only make her crave his love more.
As Georgette cares for Mr. S. and helps him come to terms with the end of his life along Vineyard Sound's beautiful shores, they become friends. His famous book helps her navigate her life as George finds in the running away from her past, she inadvertently ran towards it. She loses herself in her relationship with Dock, who leads her down a road of denial and impossible choices she never thought she'd have to face.
Told through the voice of Georgette. The Silence in the Sound is a provocative coming-of-age debut revealing the lasting effects of growing up in addiction. But it also demonstrates a young woman’s strength as she navigates friendship, love, and heartbreak while finding her hidden strength along the way.
311 pages, Paperback
Published August 23, 2022
76 people are currently reading
5081 people want to read
About the author
Dianne C. Braley
4 books99 followersA gritty New Englander, Dianne C. Braley found love for the written word early on, reading and creating stories while trying to escape hers, growing up in the turbulent world of alcoholism while living in the tough inner city. After putting her pencil down for a time, she became a registered nurse finding strength and calm in caring for those who couldn’t care for themselves. Still, she never lost her drive to write and became published in various medical online and printed publications. Seeing a painting and remembering a visit to Martha’s Vineyard as a girl and falling in love when her bare feet first stepped on the sand, she moved there for a time, caring for an ailing Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist. He not only was her patient but soon became her friend and motivator. He and his books helped her realize she missed crafting stories, and she had some to tell.
Currently, Dianne and her family, both human, furry, and feathered, are firmly planted in a small town north of Boston but not far enough away to lose her city edge. She is currently earning her degree in creative writing. Still, she escapes to the Vineyard every summer, picking up her pencil, resetting herself, and writing in the place that again inspired it. The Silence in the Sound is her debut novel.
Currently, Dianne and her family, both human, furry, and feathered, are firmly planted in a small town north of Boston but not far enough away to lose her city edge. She is currently earning her degree in creative writing. Still, she escapes to the Vineyard every summer, picking up her pencil, resetting herself, and writing in the place that again inspired it. The Silence in the Sound is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 23, 2022
I was thrown in by the title of this book as soon as I've read it, add in the beautiful cover and I couldn't not get it.
The Silence In The Sound was an emotional journey, we get to know Georgette, George, through her past and her present.
She hasn't had an happy youth living with an alcholic father, but their trip at Martha’s Vineyard was so enlightning that years later she decides to go to live there.
I grew attached to George's character, I wished the best for her and the ending left me with a nice feeling.
I tell you this is a book you love or you don't, but I really liked the writing and the storyline. The addiction theme is written in a good and powerful way, it resonated with my soul and it made me really invested in the characters' lives.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
June 23, 2022
Silence in the Sound is the work of Dianne C. Braley. As the author describes addiction affecting entire families in this novel, I found it emotionally engaging and truthful. The storyline is intense and moving.
The main character is Georgette. She loved Martha's Vineyard, an island in New England. They visited the island for the first time in 1992, when she was seventeen, with her father for only a weekend. Her only emotions at the time were anger, bitterness, and resentment toward her father. As she listened to what he had to say at the AA meeting he had to attend while they were on the island, her feelings for him began to change slightly.
Georgette returned to Martha's Vineyard in 2003. An opportunity to look after a famous author, Mr. S., became available while she worked as a nurse at the island's hospital. She loved her work and became very fond of Mr.S. He let her stay in a cottage on the property with her dog, Hobo. Georgette's life changed when she fell in love with Dock. However, she had to leave the island again due to unforeseen circumstances.
Georgette promised never to return to Martha's Vineyard, but in 2007, she did for a short visit, mainly to say goodbye.
Silence in the Sound is a novel I found difficult to put down. I recommend this book to an audience who understands the devastation of addiction. Dianne C. Braley did a great job writing this novel. I rate it five out of five stars without hesitation.
Thanks to NetGalley and Koehler Books for allowing me to submit an honest review. Congratulations.
The main character is Georgette. She loved Martha's Vineyard, an island in New England. They visited the island for the first time in 1992, when she was seventeen, with her father for only a weekend. Her only emotions at the time were anger, bitterness, and resentment toward her father. As she listened to what he had to say at the AA meeting he had to attend while they were on the island, her feelings for him began to change slightly.
Georgette returned to Martha's Vineyard in 2003. An opportunity to look after a famous author, Mr. S., became available while she worked as a nurse at the island's hospital. She loved her work and became very fond of Mr.S. He let her stay in a cottage on the property with her dog, Hobo. Georgette's life changed when she fell in love with Dock. However, she had to leave the island again due to unforeseen circumstances.
Georgette promised never to return to Martha's Vineyard, but in 2007, she did for a short visit, mainly to say goodbye.
Silence in the Sound is a novel I found difficult to put down. I recommend this book to an audience who understands the devastation of addiction. Dianne C. Braley did a great job writing this novel. I rate it five out of five stars without hesitation.
Thanks to NetGalley and Koehler Books for allowing me to submit an honest review. Congratulations.
July 20, 2022
I received this ARC directly from the author in exchange for an honest review. I had interest in this book from the cover alone. Little did I know that it would take me on the ride of a lifetime. The trials and tribulations especially the George faces really makes for a well written story. The way Dock and her interact is one for the books. I related to the story line and a lot of it hit close to home but it managed to give me all the feels and it was well written. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who might want to read something powerful but with love ❤
July 15, 2024
I think this book is fabulous… but I’m the author so a tad biased.
November 1, 2022
Debut novels are always a gamble. You either fall for the marketing ploy, or you don’t. In the case of ‘Silence in the Sound,’ I took the bait; hook, line and sinker. A nurse takes a private duty assignment on Martha’s Vineyard caring for a famous, aging author. According to the book jacket’s advertising, the author, Dianne Braley, is also a nurse and a freelance writer. So the likelihood of my being interested was pretty high. My wife was a nurse. I like to write myself. And I’d been to Martha’s Vineyard in the summer of 1973 about a month before I actually met my wife. It’s an enchanting place. There was a lot I could identify with.
I wanted to like the book, but there were some immediate problems. The first two pages were actually missing in my new copy. A situation too difficult to rectify when you buy online. It wasn’t the author’s fault. I laughed it off. I looked forward to the unintended challenge. It’s just that I’m always cautious when new authors invoke first person narrative. If you don’t have the ability to use it with authority, don’t go there. After the first few chapters, it felt like Ms. Braley had decided to embellish autobiography with fiction. Fantasy always being more marketable than reality. She muddied things even more by calling Georgette, the narrator, George. It may have seemed like a clever gender nuance, but it irritated me. Trickery shouldn’t be allowed when you’re writing a first novel. Gimmicks don’t connote depth. They’re unnecessary. As are literary associations. The famous author in the book is referred to as Mr. S. It’s not hard to figure out it’s William Styron. The novel that George takes forever to read is ‘Sophie’s Choice.’ Braley never identifies Styron or his book. Why the mystery? It may seem like a petty criticism, but it merely showed a lack of confidence. Because she decided to make the bigger story about George loving people with addictions, even when she knew better. Mr. S’s involvement merely distracted from George’s failed relationships. To try to equate love choices with Holocaust choices seemed like a bridge too far. But I don’t consider ‘Silence in the Sound’ a total train wreck.
The way I see it, the book would have been more honestly portrayed if it had been done as a memoir. Especially if the author’s alluded patient relationship with Mr. Styron was true, which I suspect it was. Instead, Braley elected for the failed romance storyline. I’m not sure much of that was real. Her fiction was predictable, but it was enjoyable to read. So, ironically, there may have been a choice involved after all. And who am I to say whether she made the correct one? Evidently, a lot of people like modern, more plot-complex romance novels these days. Because that’s what a majority of people prefer to read. There weren’t any wild sex scenes in the book, although there was plenty of sympathetic heartbreak. As for me, I was more ready for the revelations of a dying author and any deathbed confessions he may have made to his nurse confidante. Perhaps that didn’t happen. But even if didn’t, in my mind it would have made a more compelling story. Or maybe I’m just a judgmental old fool like my wife used to regularly claim. That’s criticism I will always miss.
I wanted to like the book, but there were some immediate problems. The first two pages were actually missing in my new copy. A situation too difficult to rectify when you buy online. It wasn’t the author’s fault. I laughed it off. I looked forward to the unintended challenge. It’s just that I’m always cautious when new authors invoke first person narrative. If you don’t have the ability to use it with authority, don’t go there. After the first few chapters, it felt like Ms. Braley had decided to embellish autobiography with fiction. Fantasy always being more marketable than reality. She muddied things even more by calling Georgette, the narrator, George. It may have seemed like a clever gender nuance, but it irritated me. Trickery shouldn’t be allowed when you’re writing a first novel. Gimmicks don’t connote depth. They’re unnecessary. As are literary associations. The famous author in the book is referred to as Mr. S. It’s not hard to figure out it’s William Styron. The novel that George takes forever to read is ‘Sophie’s Choice.’ Braley never identifies Styron or his book. Why the mystery? It may seem like a petty criticism, but it merely showed a lack of confidence. Because she decided to make the bigger story about George loving people with addictions, even when she knew better. Mr. S’s involvement merely distracted from George’s failed relationships. To try to equate love choices with Holocaust choices seemed like a bridge too far. But I don’t consider ‘Silence in the Sound’ a total train wreck.
The way I see it, the book would have been more honestly portrayed if it had been done as a memoir. Especially if the author’s alluded patient relationship with Mr. Styron was true, which I suspect it was. Instead, Braley elected for the failed romance storyline. I’m not sure much of that was real. Her fiction was predictable, but it was enjoyable to read. So, ironically, there may have been a choice involved after all. And who am I to say whether she made the correct one? Evidently, a lot of people like modern, more plot-complex romance novels these days. Because that’s what a majority of people prefer to read. There weren’t any wild sex scenes in the book, although there was plenty of sympathetic heartbreak. As for me, I was more ready for the revelations of a dying author and any deathbed confessions he may have made to his nurse confidante. Perhaps that didn’t happen. But even if didn’t, in my mind it would have made a more compelling story. Or maybe I’m just a judgmental old fool like my wife used to regularly claim. That’s criticism I will always miss.
June 24, 2022
Beautifully written and emotional read. cried my way through a part of it. I’ve never read a book like this and I’m glad I got to experience it. I feel like it truly encapsulates addiction and how to effects those involved as well as their loved ones. I like how the author went back and forth between the past and present to fully explain Gorgette’s story and build the plot. The imagery of Martha’s Vineyard was breath taking. I hope this book comes to the big screen one day, as I was reading I could already picture some of the scenes playing out. Also after reading the “about the author” page, I noticed that she is a nurse and also cared for a celebrity novelist at Martha’s Vineyard. The line, “write what you know,” comes to mind, and Dianne did an amazing job at that!
Thank you to net galley for giving me this eARC.
Thank you to net galley for giving me this eARC.
October 18, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book. Definitely would recommend it.
August 4, 2022
The Silence In the Sound is the debut novel by author Dianne C. Braley. It’s set to release on August 23, 2022 and is published by Koehler Books. It’s the story of Georgette, who many call George, who is struggling to find her way in a world that has not been easy or kind to her. She grew up in a home with an alcoholic father and a passive, enabling mother. Going to AA meetings for the members of an alcoholic were the norm for her, her brother and mother. The only good memory she has is of a trip that she and her Dad took together to Martha’s Vineyard for a weekend. While there, he attends a meeting and she hears him speak to the group and it’s then that her feelings towards him start to soften. As an adult, she becomes a nurse and works at a hospital on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s there that she learns of a position to become a private nurse to take care of an ailing author. Mr S. is a bit persnickety but seems to grow a fondness for George, and she for him. It’s on her off time that she meets a man named Dock, a contractor who she finds love and romance with. But life with Dock isn’t easy because he has secrets of his own. He too has an addiction but it’s not with alcohol but with heroin. This was a very emotional read for me as I had tears rolling down my face on more than one occasion. I really felt like I could relate to George and how she was feeling. It’s like this story really resonated with me. I read a lot of books, it’s my addiction so to speak, and I think this is probably my favorite book this year! Not only did it take place in my dream location but the characters were all very likable. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc that I found on the Read Now section. This is a story that I enjoyed tremendously and can’t recommend it enough. I’d give it more than 5 stars if I could and I look forward to reading more by this author in the near future.
January 26, 2024
I am astonished by the fabulous writing produced by so many first time novelists, and I am so grateful to BookSirens for introducing me to so many of them. The Silence in the Sound by Dianne C. Braley published by Koehler Books is no exception. Her writing is lyrical yet emotional; Ms. Braley effortlessly and effectively paints beautiful pictures with her words, and I felt myself easily inhabiting the world she created. I could smell the smells and hear the sounds. I could feel the anxieties and disappointments, as well as the joy and excitement of the book’s characters.
While it was obvious to me from early on that the book’s protagonist, Georgie, was doomed to make the same mistakes as her mother before her, it was interesting to watch her ignore the obvious signs. Her relationship with her dying employer, a famous author, also is fascinating. It’s repeatedly made abundantly clear that she and he fight against their obvious affections toward each other. Near the end of the book, I also saw the writing on the wall before it appeared to Georgie, since she was well practiced in ignoring all of the signs placed before her.
The last chapter of this wonderful book brought tears to my eyes, though it also wasn’t a surprise. After reading the author’s acknowledgments, it is easy to see how much of her life affected this novel. It’s evident that Ms. Braley’s employer must have told her, as Georgie’s says to Georgie: write what you know. I’m sure this advice is neither new nor unique, yet Ms. Braley produced a powerful novel obviously based on this sage advice. I hope Ms. Braley has more stories with which she is familiar to tell.
My review of The Silence in the Sound is 100% voluntary.
While it was obvious to me from early on that the book’s protagonist, Georgie, was doomed to make the same mistakes as her mother before her, it was interesting to watch her ignore the obvious signs. Her relationship with her dying employer, a famous author, also is fascinating. It’s repeatedly made abundantly clear that she and he fight against their obvious affections toward each other. Near the end of the book, I also saw the writing on the wall before it appeared to Georgie, since she was well practiced in ignoring all of the signs placed before her.
The last chapter of this wonderful book brought tears to my eyes, though it also wasn’t a surprise. After reading the author’s acknowledgments, it is easy to see how much of her life affected this novel. It’s evident that Ms. Braley’s employer must have told her, as Georgie’s says to Georgie: write what you know. I’m sure this advice is neither new nor unique, yet Ms. Braley produced a powerful novel obviously based on this sage advice. I hope Ms. Braley has more stories with which she is familiar to tell.
My review of The Silence in the Sound is 100% voluntary.
June 23, 2022
So I zoomed through this one in a few hours and I have to say that I really did enjoy it. I do wish that it would have been all in one timeline. Although the past did add an element to the story. I was more focused on the here and now. I enjoyed the characters and what Georgette went through as a teen and her trip to Marth's Vineyard. The story overall is very powerful tale about addition and how to find your own strength inside of yourself. I totally loved Hobo (gotta have a sweet spot for the pups). I will say that this does feel like a debut author. It had its issues but I think that Braley is an author to watch out for. I can see myself reading more from this author in the future. This one is just over 300 pages and I devoured it in like 5 hours. So that goes a lot to say it was really good.
September 9, 2022
Emotionally intense. Hard to absorb in places. Full review coming at NovelsAlive.com
August 22, 2024
Very realistic about what goes on on the Vineyard.
June 11, 2022
Neatly encapsulated by a line of dialogue spoken by the novel’s protagonist and narrator that goes as follows: “Well, the past has a lot to do with the present,” The Silence in the Sound is a deeply moving reflection of the consequences of addiction. Author Dianne C. Braley expertly peels back the layers of her characters, revealing how difficult it is for those affected to unravel themselves from the repercussions. Written in dual timelines, it’s a bold, personal story of determined-to-be-tough Georgette (George), whose recollection of an illuminating trip to Martha’s Vineyard Island with her father when she was a teenager intersects with her return when she takes on the job of private nurse of an infirm, cantankerous and celebrated author, Mr. S.
Determined not to repeat her parents’ mistakes, George is independent, strong minded and riddled with guilt, as misplaced as it might be. She’s also jaded and wary. That doesn’t stop George falling for the attractive but enigmatic garden services guy, Dock, who soon begins blowing hot and cold. With her new relationship uncertain, George is unsettled and she and Mr. S. form an unexpected friendship, which deepens as she gets to know his writing.
Braley has a distinctive and energetic voice and a lyrical style. She writes with confidence and easy-going fluidity, which belies the fact that The Silence in the Sound is her debut novel. Engrossing, psychologically intricate and poignant, the book is multi-layered, fresh and immersive. Not only is it compulsively readable but the characters stayed with me days after I’d finished it. The Silence in the Sound is beautifully written, emotionally charged and highly recommended.
(I read an ARC of this book.)
Determined not to repeat her parents’ mistakes, George is independent, strong minded and riddled with guilt, as misplaced as it might be. She’s also jaded and wary. That doesn’t stop George falling for the attractive but enigmatic garden services guy, Dock, who soon begins blowing hot and cold. With her new relationship uncertain, George is unsettled and she and Mr. S. form an unexpected friendship, which deepens as she gets to know his writing.
Braley has a distinctive and energetic voice and a lyrical style. She writes with confidence and easy-going fluidity, which belies the fact that The Silence in the Sound is her debut novel. Engrossing, psychologically intricate and poignant, the book is multi-layered, fresh and immersive. Not only is it compulsively readable but the characters stayed with me days after I’d finished it. The Silence in the Sound is beautifully written, emotionally charged and highly recommended.
(I read an ARC of this book.)
October 5, 2023
This book was excellent and it was hard to put down because I just wanted to keep reading it. I would recommend this book.
June 20, 2022
Beautifully written! I feel the realistic traits in the characters surrounding Georgette really made this story. For a while the back forth in timeline felt annoying because every time something happened, I was left needing and craving what would follow but then it was like a flashback was placed there. However, continuing forward I was grateful as it provided information that helped flush out our main character and made me enjoy the book that much more. Perhaps too much as I ended up crying so hard upon finishing because of how deep I went into this book.
August 26, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The title and book cover lure me into reading this beauty and I am in love with this read! A MUST READ!!
The title and book cover lure me into reading this beauty and I am in love with this read! A MUST READ!!
March 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this book!
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
Finding inspiration where she least expects it, one woman's life is about to change forever.
Life had not always been kind to Georgette. She grew up with an alcoholic father and an enabling mother. To help see her through the bad times, she clings to the loving memory of a childhood trip to Martha's Vineyard.
Now an adult, Georgette works as a nurse and has returned to the island to start her life over. Then opportunity arrives in the most unlikely of places as she becomes the private nurse for the well-known island resident Mr. S. The prize-winning novelist and Georgette become friends, and he opens her mind to new possibilities.
Soon everything changes when she encounters the mysterious Dock. Georgette isn't quite sure about him but finds him irresistible. She quickly loses herself in her relationship despite the inherent dangers that come with him. Torn between the future or spiraling into a life she tried so hard to leave behind, Georgette must make her most important decision ever.
Sometimes escaping the past isn't as easy as it appears.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an eARC!!
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
Finding inspiration where she least expects it, one woman's life is about to change forever.
Life had not always been kind to Georgette. She grew up with an alcoholic father and an enabling mother. To help see her through the bad times, she clings to the loving memory of a childhood trip to Martha's Vineyard.
Now an adult, Georgette works as a nurse and has returned to the island to start her life over. Then opportunity arrives in the most unlikely of places as she becomes the private nurse for the well-known island resident Mr. S. The prize-winning novelist and Georgette become friends, and he opens her mind to new possibilities.
Soon everything changes when she encounters the mysterious Dock. Georgette isn't quite sure about him but finds him irresistible. She quickly loses herself in her relationship despite the inherent dangers that come with him. Torn between the future or spiraling into a life she tried so hard to leave behind, Georgette must make her most important decision ever.
Sometimes escaping the past isn't as easy as it appears.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an eARC!!
July 17, 2024
Honestly I wasn't really a fan of this book. It wasn't really bad it just wasn't good either. It had good potential but just didn't do it for me.
December 23, 2022
Desperate for the chance to escape her tumultuous past, including life with an alcoholic father, Georgette moves to idyllic Martha’s Vineyard. She has fond memories of travelling there with her father when she was a teen—perhaps the only time she felt close to him. So she accepts the opportunity to be the caretaker for a highly regarded author. Now grumpy and frail, the once-powerful man takes his time warming up to Georgette. But ultimately, the pair form a strong bond, and Georgette looks forward to their daily encounters.
After a long, lonely winter on the island, Dock is a sight for sore eyes. At first, Georgette is put off by his aggressive disposition. Still, there is just something about him that makes her heart flutter. Maybe it’s his green eyes—resplendent and intoxicating, or how sure he is of himself when they’re together. Still, deep beneath the spark that ignites the pair, is something darker. Georgette senses Dock might be trouble. But how bad can it be?
“The Silence in the Sound” is the emotionally charged debut novel by Dianne C. Braley that follows Georgette as past familial trauma and addiction intersect with present relationships. Her story unfolds at a steady pace, alternating between her past (teenage years) and present (her young adult life), cleverly providing readers with a backstory.
From the first page, the writing evoked a visceral reaction. Despite having the caveat of knowing it would be emotional, I don’t think I was fully prepared for how profoundly it would affect me. The theme of addiction was so deeply embedded and the writing so immersive I found it impossible not to experience Georgette’s plight. The lies, broken promises, and unrelenting grief—all things we can fall victim to when someone we care about is dependent on drugs or alcohol. And because our greatest weakness is wanting to save these people that we desperately love, our hearts are broken time and time again. The author has done an excellent job of illustrating this destructive pattern through Georgette’s relationships.
Continuously burned by instability, I believe Georgette found security in her burgeoning friendship with Mr. S, which I found heartwarming. The older man heavily relied on her. But it was give and take because she, too, needed the relationship for its predictability—the grunts of disapproval and the way he’d curse about his shaking hand, she knew what to expect and how to improve it. Their daily interactions were endearing and provided a reprieval of her dysfunctional relationship with Dock.
Romance enthusiasts: brace yourselves. The love affair between Dock and Georgette was passionate, albeit agonizingly difficult to read. It often had me reaching for the tissues. Still, it accurately depicted the realities of dysfunctional love, making it stand out from other stories.
“The Silence in the Sound” is a multilayered story that will appeal to readers who love character-driven books that explore heavier topics such as addiction, grief, and death. This is a book you don’t want to miss!
After a long, lonely winter on the island, Dock is a sight for sore eyes. At first, Georgette is put off by his aggressive disposition. Still, there is just something about him that makes her heart flutter. Maybe it’s his green eyes—resplendent and intoxicating, or how sure he is of himself when they’re together. Still, deep beneath the spark that ignites the pair, is something darker. Georgette senses Dock might be trouble. But how bad can it be?
“The Silence in the Sound” is the emotionally charged debut novel by Dianne C. Braley that follows Georgette as past familial trauma and addiction intersect with present relationships. Her story unfolds at a steady pace, alternating between her past (teenage years) and present (her young adult life), cleverly providing readers with a backstory.
From the first page, the writing evoked a visceral reaction. Despite having the caveat of knowing it would be emotional, I don’t think I was fully prepared for how profoundly it would affect me. The theme of addiction was so deeply embedded and the writing so immersive I found it impossible not to experience Georgette’s plight. The lies, broken promises, and unrelenting grief—all things we can fall victim to when someone we care about is dependent on drugs or alcohol. And because our greatest weakness is wanting to save these people that we desperately love, our hearts are broken time and time again. The author has done an excellent job of illustrating this destructive pattern through Georgette’s relationships.
Continuously burned by instability, I believe Georgette found security in her burgeoning friendship with Mr. S, which I found heartwarming. The older man heavily relied on her. But it was give and take because she, too, needed the relationship for its predictability—the grunts of disapproval and the way he’d curse about his shaking hand, she knew what to expect and how to improve it. Their daily interactions were endearing and provided a reprieval of her dysfunctional relationship with Dock.
Romance enthusiasts: brace yourselves. The love affair between Dock and Georgette was passionate, albeit agonizingly difficult to read. It often had me reaching for the tissues. Still, it accurately depicted the realities of dysfunctional love, making it stand out from other stories.
“The Silence in the Sound” is a multilayered story that will appeal to readers who love character-driven books that explore heavier topics such as addiction, grief, and death. This is a book you don’t want to miss!
August 28, 2023
I loved this novel and loved the heroine. I was cheering for her so much that I could not put the book down, wanting to make sure everything turned out all right.
Spoiler alert: It does, and now she is a famous author!
What a great premise for a book: devoted daughter of alcoholic falls in love with and marries tortured, charismatic drug addict while working as a nurse for famous novelist who wrote Sophie’s Choice. Nurse reads Sophie’s Choice for first time while taking care of said novelist (William Styron) until, as she is spiraling into the same toxic co-dependency for which she chastised her mother, it one day dawns on her that she, unlike the doomed Sophie, has a choice. She can leave her husband and save herself. Unfortunately, this also means leaving William Styron as he is dying, but he tacitly understands what is happening, understands the choice she must make, and heroically gives her permission to leave. “It’s not your fault,” he says. “You can go.”
The story is set in the heroine’s hometown of Revere, Massachusetts, and her adopted home of Martha’s Vineyard; the contrast between the two places makes for a colorful backdrop against which the author masterfully weaves the novel’s themes. Getting inside the mind of a “non-elite” (author’s words) on Martha’s Vineyard is interesting. Getting to know William Styron (“Sophie was someone,” he says) is fascinating; if anything, I would have liked more of him, more insight into his soul as he lay dying. And being part of the many dynamics surrounding Mr. Styron’s family and household staff is simultaneously amusing and cringe-inducing.
But mainly, this story is about love, the excruciating heartbreak of addiction, and one woman’s rare resilience. It is about how, if one is strong and lucky enough, it is possible to break free and take charge of one’s own destiny. The heroine of Silence in the Sound realizes that while Sophie had an impossible choice, she does not, and she acts.
The author’s style is very raw and real, perfect for the story she tells. Her writing depicts anxiety and terror in such original, almost onomatopoeic ways that my heart kept racing. It is painful to watch the heroine make so many mistakes – at times you wish you could scream at her to turn around – yet this is what makes her ultimate triumph so gratifying.
I learned a lot about addiction, co-dependency, and denial from this amazing book. I also found spending time with the author and heroine, simply by reading the pages, inspiring. Strongly recommend!
Spoiler alert: It does, and now she is a famous author!
What a great premise for a book: devoted daughter of alcoholic falls in love with and marries tortured, charismatic drug addict while working as a nurse for famous novelist who wrote Sophie’s Choice. Nurse reads Sophie’s Choice for first time while taking care of said novelist (William Styron) until, as she is spiraling into the same toxic co-dependency for which she chastised her mother, it one day dawns on her that she, unlike the doomed Sophie, has a choice. She can leave her husband and save herself. Unfortunately, this also means leaving William Styron as he is dying, but he tacitly understands what is happening, understands the choice she must make, and heroically gives her permission to leave. “It’s not your fault,” he says. “You can go.”
The story is set in the heroine’s hometown of Revere, Massachusetts, and her adopted home of Martha’s Vineyard; the contrast between the two places makes for a colorful backdrop against which the author masterfully weaves the novel’s themes. Getting inside the mind of a “non-elite” (author’s words) on Martha’s Vineyard is interesting. Getting to know William Styron (“Sophie was someone,” he says) is fascinating; if anything, I would have liked more of him, more insight into his soul as he lay dying. And being part of the many dynamics surrounding Mr. Styron’s family and household staff is simultaneously amusing and cringe-inducing.
But mainly, this story is about love, the excruciating heartbreak of addiction, and one woman’s rare resilience. It is about how, if one is strong and lucky enough, it is possible to break free and take charge of one’s own destiny. The heroine of Silence in the Sound realizes that while Sophie had an impossible choice, she does not, and she acts.
The author’s style is very raw and real, perfect for the story she tells. Her writing depicts anxiety and terror in such original, almost onomatopoeic ways that my heart kept racing. It is painful to watch the heroine make so many mistakes – at times you wish you could scream at her to turn around – yet this is what makes her ultimate triumph so gratifying.
I learned a lot about addiction, co-dependency, and denial from this amazing book. I also found spending time with the author and heroine, simply by reading the pages, inspiring. Strongly recommend!
July 15, 2022
I just read Silence in the sound by Dianne C Braley and here is what I thought about it.
George leaves the mainstream nurse position for a more a private position as nurse to the famous novelist, Mr. S.
Going to start her life over, George finds herself leaving behind a painful past, filled with her fathers addiction that ended up tearing her family apart.
The friendship she builds with Mr. S is nothing compared to the perplexing Dock, a hands on kind of man who comes in hot then disappears on the breeze, which only makes George fall harder.
Watching Mr. S downsliding health and the relationships she cultivates during her time on the island, only helps strengthen the woman who emerged from the trainwreck that was George's life.
This book is very addiction centric and has a very powerful message built into it. The writing was quite beautiful and I really enjoyed the style of writing but it seemed a little passive in places. I feel it could have been faster paced in places and the narrative could have been stronger. At a few points in the book, I felt a little lost as to the point of the book. It seemed to lose itself a little. More could have been done to show the devastation that addiction caused to her life and what it did to her but all in all, the author definitely had done a lot of research on the topic and it shows.
George was a pretty well developed character and being the main character you would expect that but I felt we didn��t really get to know Dock or Mr. S in the ways I would have liked. I really would have loved more of Dock’s backstory and history and the same with Mr. S.
I would have liked more about the really hard truths of addiction but I get the feeling this book wasn’t supposed to be written with a gritty edge and in that case, more backstory would have been a nice substitute. All in all I really did enjoy the book and highly recommend it to anyone who isn't looking for the happily ever after books usually give.
If you love a book that covers tough topics without making you want to drink yourself into oblivion, this is the one for you! 4 stars! I look forward to seeing what comes next. Thank you Dianne for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
George leaves the mainstream nurse position for a more a private position as nurse to the famous novelist, Mr. S.
Going to start her life over, George finds herself leaving behind a painful past, filled with her fathers addiction that ended up tearing her family apart.
The friendship she builds with Mr. S is nothing compared to the perplexing Dock, a hands on kind of man who comes in hot then disappears on the breeze, which only makes George fall harder.
Watching Mr. S downsliding health and the relationships she cultivates during her time on the island, only helps strengthen the woman who emerged from the trainwreck that was George's life.
This book is very addiction centric and has a very powerful message built into it. The writing was quite beautiful and I really enjoyed the style of writing but it seemed a little passive in places. I feel it could have been faster paced in places and the narrative could have been stronger. At a few points in the book, I felt a little lost as to the point of the book. It seemed to lose itself a little. More could have been done to show the devastation that addiction caused to her life and what it did to her but all in all, the author definitely had done a lot of research on the topic and it shows.
George was a pretty well developed character and being the main character you would expect that but I felt we didn��t really get to know Dock or Mr. S in the ways I would have liked. I really would have loved more of Dock’s backstory and history and the same with Mr. S.
I would have liked more about the really hard truths of addiction but I get the feeling this book wasn’t supposed to be written with a gritty edge and in that case, more backstory would have been a nice substitute. All in all I really did enjoy the book and highly recommend it to anyone who isn't looking for the happily ever after books usually give.
If you love a book that covers tough topics without making you want to drink yourself into oblivion, this is the one for you! 4 stars! I look forward to seeing what comes next. Thank you Dianne for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 7, 2022
Our narrator is George, a young woman from a hard scrabble town just north of Boston. She grew up with an alcoholic father and most of her memories are shadowed by this. At age 17, she spent one weekend with her then sober father on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. This memorable weekend draws her back to the island 11 years later as working nurse. George quickly transitions from the hospital to a private nurse position for an ailing novelist, Mr. S. George meets, Dock, a mysterious local and quickly falls into a new and uncertain relationship with him. Dock frequently disappears or disappoints, and George finds herself struggling to understand Dock as she falls in love with him. George grapples with her relationship problems but leaning into her relationship with curmudgeon Mr. S. and ultimately escapes into Mr. S’s novels for comfort.
Review:
As someone who grew up in the suburbs of Boston and visited Martha’s Vineyard many times, the setting of the story is both familiar and compelling. The Island is a character as the storyline shifts between the past and the present. The dual timelines allow the reader to understand the consequences of addiction and the devastation it leaves in its wake. This is an emotional read and is beautifully written. The addiction scenes are powerful and haunting and leave the reader rooting for George to overcome her past. It was heartbreaking to read the author’s note and understand this is loosely based on her own life.
One small technical point, George as a nurse was an occasional smoker and her boyfriend, Dock was a constant smoker. I personally found it implausible George would spend her days taking care of a dying man with a nagging cough and would spend her evenings smoking and hanging out with other smokers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Koehler Books for allowing me to review this eARC. This book will be published on 8/23/22.
Warning: This book includes alcohol and substance addiction.
Follow me @findabooktolove for more reviews!
Review:
As someone who grew up in the suburbs of Boston and visited Martha’s Vineyard many times, the setting of the story is both familiar and compelling. The Island is a character as the storyline shifts between the past and the present. The dual timelines allow the reader to understand the consequences of addiction and the devastation it leaves in its wake. This is an emotional read and is beautifully written. The addiction scenes are powerful and haunting and leave the reader rooting for George to overcome her past. It was heartbreaking to read the author’s note and understand this is loosely based on her own life.
One small technical point, George as a nurse was an occasional smoker and her boyfriend, Dock was a constant smoker. I personally found it implausible George would spend her days taking care of a dying man with a nagging cough and would spend her evenings smoking and hanging out with other smokers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Koehler Books for allowing me to review this eARC. This book will be published on 8/23/22.
Warning: This book includes alcohol and substance addiction.
Follow me @findabooktolove for more reviews!
November 8, 2022
The Silence in the Sound pulls readers into Martha’s Vineyard’s cozy, isolated land, where Georgette wrestles with childhood trauma and works to find her place in the world. Growing up, she had a complicated relationship with her alcoholic father, who she could never fully trust. George moves to the lovely Martha’s Vineyard as a young adult, beginning her nursing career, and becomes the primary caretaker for an elderly celebrity author, with whom she develops a feisty yet endearing friendship. Her strength and independence shine at work, but her tough exterior is challenged when she meets the attractive and mysterious Dock. George must decide if love is strong enough to overcome her profoundly ingrained trust issues.
Dianne C. Braley’s novel tells a painful story in a charming way, so that the reader can’t help but root for Georgette. The writing style is conversational and pragmatic, so it feels as if a close friend is relating stories directly from her life to you. At first, I found the writing to be a bit cumbersome, but I got more accustomed to it as I continued reading. There were moments throughout the story where I felt frustrated by Georgette because she seemed to be letting life happen to her rather than taking action and making changes herself. However, I think that attribute resulted from her troubled past, so it ultimately added realism to the character.
The foreshadowing at the beginning, where Georgette returns to the island “to say goodbye,” added a mysterious and dark undertone to the story. At times, the plot seemed to drag a bit, but the latter half of the book increased in drama and intensity. The characters and the subject matter were well described, but the telling of the story could have been more compelling.
The Silence in the Sound is a heartfelt coming of age novel that explores how growing up with addition and abuse in ones life impacts choices that are made later in life. It is an emotional read that will leave the reader remembering of Georgette after they have finished the book.
Dianne C. Braley’s novel tells a painful story in a charming way, so that the reader can’t help but root for Georgette. The writing style is conversational and pragmatic, so it feels as if a close friend is relating stories directly from her life to you. At first, I found the writing to be a bit cumbersome, but I got more accustomed to it as I continued reading. There were moments throughout the story where I felt frustrated by Georgette because she seemed to be letting life happen to her rather than taking action and making changes herself. However, I think that attribute resulted from her troubled past, so it ultimately added realism to the character.
The foreshadowing at the beginning, where Georgette returns to the island “to say goodbye,” added a mysterious and dark undertone to the story. At times, the plot seemed to drag a bit, but the latter half of the book increased in drama and intensity. The characters and the subject matter were well described, but the telling of the story could have been more compelling.
The Silence in the Sound is a heartfelt coming of age novel that explores how growing up with addition and abuse in ones life impacts choices that are made later in life. It is an emotional read that will leave the reader remembering of Georgette after they have finished the book.
September 22, 2022
This is a strong effort by a writer with something to say. She effectively brings us in to the complicated world of her protagonist, a world that includes family addiction on multiple vectors, private duty nursing, dealing with a diverse year-round population on a resort island, aging and dying. It's ambitious, but she pulls it off with obvious authenticity and balance. The scenes and pacing are terrific and more than make up for occasional rough spots in the writing. You understand and feel for these characters, and they stay with you after the book is finished.
The writer makes good use of a structure I've heard referred to as a broken rainbow, in which the narrative flashes back and forth between two story lines ten years apart, each of which proceeds in a linear fashion. The woman is a teenager at the start of the earlier narrative, and her relationship with her alcoholic father, who introduces her to the wonders of Martha's Vineyard, parallels her her later romance with a mysterious but compelling man she meets on the island. Along the way, we are introduced to the many stresses and struggles families endure when one of their members has a serious addiction, along with AA and Alanon meetings, teaching and culture. As the protagonist's story proceeds we share her deepening anguish and struggle for answers along with her.
The process, in the more recent narrative, of caring for a terminally ill Nobel laureate, introduces the issue of mortality and reflection on lives fulfilled and wasted in different ways. The process of bonding him serves to universalize the experience as it also parallels the pain and commitment of bonding with the other two men in her life as each exacts its own cost
I highly recommend this book, especially if your tired of pretentious, glib or shallow writing and easy answers. Braley doesn't offer any of the latter, but she takes us through these lives in a way that I'll not soon forget.
The writer makes good use of a structure I've heard referred to as a broken rainbow, in which the narrative flashes back and forth between two story lines ten years apart, each of which proceeds in a linear fashion. The woman is a teenager at the start of the earlier narrative, and her relationship with her alcoholic father, who introduces her to the wonders of Martha's Vineyard, parallels her her later romance with a mysterious but compelling man she meets on the island. Along the way, we are introduced to the many stresses and struggles families endure when one of their members has a serious addiction, along with AA and Alanon meetings, teaching and culture. As the protagonist's story proceeds we share her deepening anguish and struggle for answers along with her.
The process, in the more recent narrative, of caring for a terminally ill Nobel laureate, introduces the issue of mortality and reflection on lives fulfilled and wasted in different ways. The process of bonding him serves to universalize the experience as it also parallels the pain and commitment of bonding with the other two men in her life as each exacts its own cost
I highly recommend this book, especially if your tired of pretentious, glib or shallow writing and easy answers. Braley doesn't offer any of the latter, but she takes us through these lives in a way that I'll not soon forget.
October 15, 2024
Raw and Honest Page-Turner.
Dianne C. Braley’s “The Silence in the Sound” is a beautifully written novel about the complex topic of alcoholism. The novel centers around the narrator, a nurse named George (Georgette), her private client, a former Pulitzer Prize winner, and Dock, her love interest. The setting is primarily Martha’s Vineyard and Massachusetts. The geography is portrayed with realistic nuance, detail, and dialogue.
Bradley’s novel weaves between the past and the present. The time sequence represents the tumultuous experience of the narrator, George, unraveling her unhealed wounds and hurt of being raised in an alcoholic family so that she may unearth the wisdom and freedom to put her needs first.
Most are aware that a pattern of being raised in an alcoholic family can result in a wounded child who is taught to put their needs aside and forced to live in an unpredictable world filled with uncertainty, erratic behavior, and isolation. The child learns that a needy, demanding, inconsistent, and sometimes invisible adult is the norm.
The narrator, having been raised by an alcoholic father, is drawn to “needy people.” At its worst, one could say George is trauma-bonded to some “needy” people. George’s story is one of being entwined and scarred by intimate partners battling addiction and all that can come with addiction. Braley portrays this darkness with brilliance and heart-wrenching descriptions and scenery.
Braley brilliantly portrays George and her desire to believe in the love she has found, her hope for a new beginning, and, ultimately, her realization that profound healing comes from broken endings. George realizes that she must wake up and choose what she wants rather than wait for others to wake up.
Braley’s realistic story is one in which the reader comes to understand why and how an adult child of an alcoholic can still struggle with childhood wounds as an adult. It is an excellent read that deals with a complex subject.
Dianne C. Braley’s “The Silence in the Sound” is a beautifully written novel about the complex topic of alcoholism. The novel centers around the narrator, a nurse named George (Georgette), her private client, a former Pulitzer Prize winner, and Dock, her love interest. The setting is primarily Martha’s Vineyard and Massachusetts. The geography is portrayed with realistic nuance, detail, and dialogue.
Bradley’s novel weaves between the past and the present. The time sequence represents the tumultuous experience of the narrator, George, unraveling her unhealed wounds and hurt of being raised in an alcoholic family so that she may unearth the wisdom and freedom to put her needs first.
Most are aware that a pattern of being raised in an alcoholic family can result in a wounded child who is taught to put their needs aside and forced to live in an unpredictable world filled with uncertainty, erratic behavior, and isolation. The child learns that a needy, demanding, inconsistent, and sometimes invisible adult is the norm.
The narrator, having been raised by an alcoholic father, is drawn to “needy people.” At its worst, one could say George is trauma-bonded to some “needy” people. George’s story is one of being entwined and scarred by intimate partners battling addiction and all that can come with addiction. Braley portrays this darkness with brilliance and heart-wrenching descriptions and scenery.
Braley brilliantly portrays George and her desire to believe in the love she has found, her hope for a new beginning, and, ultimately, her realization that profound healing comes from broken endings. George realizes that she must wake up and choose what she wants rather than wait for others to wake up.
Braley’s realistic story is one in which the reader comes to understand why and how an adult child of an alcoholic can still struggle with childhood wounds as an adult. It is an excellent read that deals with a complex subject.
January 27, 2025
I have become a massive Dianne Braley fan since reading The Summer Before. Her story is a poignant exploration of alcoholism’s profound impact on relationships and self-identity. It reminded me of the Nicolas Cage movie Leaving Las Vegas and one of my favorite movies, Less than Zero. Set against the vivid backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, the novel follows George, a nurse navigating her unhealed wounds from growing up with an alcoholic father. The atmospheric writing draws readers into a world of emotional complexity, vividly portraying George’s relationships with a former Pulitzer Prize-winning client and her love interest, Dock. Through rich detail and authentic dialogue, Braley captures both the beauty of the setting and the raw struggles of her characters.
Dianne masterfully depicts the lingering effects of growing up in an unpredictable and isolating environment shaped by addiction. George’s story is resilient as she understands the need to prioritize her well-being. Her hope for love and new beginnings is interwoven with the painful realization that true healing often emerges from broken endings, making her journey both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
Dianne’s ability to blend emotional depth with literary insight makes The Silence in the Sound stand out, crafting a story that lingers long after the final page. Her portrayal of love, loss, and forgiveness resonates deeply, especially for readers who relate to the themes of addiction or hail from the New England area.
I recommend this book to readers who desire a compelling story. Dianne is a superb writer, and I eagerly await her next novel.
Dianne masterfully depicts the lingering effects of growing up in an unpredictable and isolating environment shaped by addiction. George’s story is resilient as she understands the need to prioritize her well-being. Her hope for love and new beginnings is interwoven with the painful realization that true healing often emerges from broken endings, making her journey both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
Dianne’s ability to blend emotional depth with literary insight makes The Silence in the Sound stand out, crafting a story that lingers long after the final page. Her portrayal of love, loss, and forgiveness resonates deeply, especially for readers who relate to the themes of addiction or hail from the New England area.
I recommend this book to readers who desire a compelling story. Dianne is a superb writer, and I eagerly await her next novel.
June 29, 2022
....... .On the picturesque island of Martha’s Vineyard, an ailing celebrity novelist's famous book about a choice helps his young nurse make a heartrending one of her own.
Fiery city girl, Georgette's memory of a childhood trip to Martha's Vineyard Island with her father is one of the few good times. Her father was an alcoholic, and her enabler mother chose to stay with him; his addiction was the center of their world. Georgette fled home as soon as she could; years later, as a nurse, she's going back to the island to start her life over. There, she becomes the private nurse for the ailing prize-winning novelist, Mr. S., and becomes enamored with the mysterious Dock, a wash-ashore like her whose disappearing acts only make her crave his love more.
As Georgette cares for Mr. S. and helps him come to terms with the end of his life along Vineyard Sound's beautiful shores, they become friends. His famous book helps her navigate her life as George finds in the running away from her past,she inadvertently ran towards it. She loses herself in her relationship with Dock, who leads her down a road of denial and impossible choices she never thought she'd have to face. Told through the voice of Georgette. The Silence in the Sound is a provocative coming-of-age debut revealing the lasting effects of growing up in addiction. But it also demonstrates a young woman’s strength as she navigates friendship, love, and heartbreak while finding her hidden strength along the way.
Fiery city girl, Georgette's memory of a childhood trip to Martha's Vineyard Island with her father is one of the few good times. Her father was an alcoholic, and her enabler mother chose to stay with him; his addiction was the center of their world. Georgette fled home as soon as she could; years later, as a nurse, she's going back to the island to start her life over. There, she becomes the private nurse for the ailing prize-winning novelist, Mr. S., and becomes enamored with the mysterious Dock, a wash-ashore like her whose disappearing acts only make her crave his love more.
As Georgette cares for Mr. S. and helps him come to terms with the end of his life along Vineyard Sound's beautiful shores, they become friends. His famous book helps her navigate her life as George finds in the running away from her past,she inadvertently ran towards it. She loses herself in her relationship with Dock, who leads her down a road of denial and impossible choices she never thought she'd have to face. Told through the voice of Georgette. The Silence in the Sound is a provocative coming-of-age debut revealing the lasting effects of growing up in addiction. But it also demonstrates a young woman’s strength as she navigates friendship, love, and heartbreak while finding her hidden strength along the way.
July 29, 2022
I found this book to be emotionally engaging, honest, and very relatable on a personal level. The Silence in the Sound explores how growing up with a substance-addicted parent can impact the whole family. The story alternates between the present day, Georgette's teenage years, and her years as an adult working as a nurse. We get insight into her father's struggle with addiction, and the impact it had on her family. Coming back to one place that connected her to a happier time with her father during a moment of his sobriety, she took a job as an in-home nurse for her patient named Mr. S, a Pulitzer prize winner. I love the relationship between the two of them, overall one of the best and most heartbreaking relationships in the book.
Georgette meets Doc one night when he steps in to save her. Their relationship goes 0-1oo which was a little much in my opinion. They both seem to fall and fall hard until Doc just disappears without a word. His back and forth and overall unreliability becomes a pattern that really sets off Georgette. Rightfully so. Their relationship and her relationship with Mr. S push Georgette to find herself and become stronger than she ever knew was possible.
Final thoughts: this book made me cry like a baby and I found bits way too relatable. I thoroughly recommend it.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Georgette meets Doc one night when he steps in to save her. Their relationship goes 0-1oo which was a little much in my opinion. They both seem to fall and fall hard until Doc just disappears without a word. His back and forth and overall unreliability becomes a pattern that really sets off Georgette. Rightfully so. Their relationship and her relationship with Mr. S push Georgette to find herself and become stronger than she ever knew was possible.
Final thoughts: this book made me cry like a baby and I found bits way too relatable. I thoroughly recommend it.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
August 31, 2022
This is my first read by this author. The Silence in the Sound is a coming of age story focusing on the effects of addiction on families and relationships. This book is well written, with complex characters, set in picturesque New England. The story is told in multiple timelines which allows the reader to see the main characters life from a young age through her present adulthood.
George (georgette) grew up in a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic father, the effects of which last well into adulthood. Throughout the book we see her struggle to understand and make peace with her past.
Overall this is an interesting read. The author does a good job of showing the effects of addiction on someone’s life at every important stage. The author tackles difficult issues at the same time as crafting a moving and poignant story that ultimately gives the reader hope.
As you see the difficult choices George has to make it is easy to to relate to what she is going through due to the authors ability to immerse the reader completely into George’s world. Ultimately, it is these difficult decisions that help George have a more fulfilling life.
If you enjoy an engaging story that delves into deep issues with a good solid ending, then this book is for you.
George (georgette) grew up in a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic father, the effects of which last well into adulthood. Throughout the book we see her struggle to understand and make peace with her past.
Overall this is an interesting read. The author does a good job of showing the effects of addiction on someone’s life at every important stage. The author tackles difficult issues at the same time as crafting a moving and poignant story that ultimately gives the reader hope.
As you see the difficult choices George has to make it is easy to to relate to what she is going through due to the authors ability to immerse the reader completely into George’s world. Ultimately, it is these difficult decisions that help George have a more fulfilling life.
If you enjoy an engaging story that delves into deep issues with a good solid ending, then this book is for you.
May 10, 2023
The Silence in the Sound is a deeply personal novel. The type of story that could be only be told by someone with experience of how addiction affects multiple generations within a family.
Georgette is a nurse who returns to Martha’s Vineyard, which has special memories for her as one of the few places where she felt a genuine connection to her alcoholic father.
She takes on a role caring in-house for a famous author and on the island, and she meets Dock, a charming but emotionally elusive man.
Interweaving past and present flashbacks, Georgette connects with the curmudgeonly author in her care, while falling for Dock. But all is not as it seems. Dock is hiding secrets, and there’s a reason she found him so alluring.
The Silence in the Sound is a novel about the inter-generational power of addiction to pull us back, again and again, into cycles that damage us and those we love. But it also has an optimistic tone that, with therapy and hope, sometimes the sinister shadows of growing up with addiction can be overcome.
Filled with lots of imagery, smells, sounds, that give you a five-sense experience of visiting Martha’s Vineyard. Readers who enjoy novels with deep themes, and that are grounded in a sense of location, will especially enjoy The Silence in the Sound.
Georgette is a nurse who returns to Martha’s Vineyard, which has special memories for her as one of the few places where she felt a genuine connection to her alcoholic father.
She takes on a role caring in-house for a famous author and on the island, and she meets Dock, a charming but emotionally elusive man.
Interweaving past and present flashbacks, Georgette connects with the curmudgeonly author in her care, while falling for Dock. But all is not as it seems. Dock is hiding secrets, and there’s a reason she found him so alluring.
The Silence in the Sound is a novel about the inter-generational power of addiction to pull us back, again and again, into cycles that damage us and those we love. But it also has an optimistic tone that, with therapy and hope, sometimes the sinister shadows of growing up with addiction can be overcome.
Filled with lots of imagery, smells, sounds, that give you a five-sense experience of visiting Martha’s Vineyard. Readers who enjoy novels with deep themes, and that are grounded in a sense of location, will especially enjoy The Silence in the Sound.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews