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The Silent Gift
The 1930s were a decade of enormous uncertainty--for the world, for America, and in particular for one lonely, struggling mother and her disabled son. Their story is one of love and enormous sacrifices in the face of circumstances horrendous beyond belief. When her husband leaves her for someone whose time isn't wrapped up in a silent, handicapped kid, Mary and little Luke are out on their own in a world that has no room for the poor and disabled. Especially not at a time when most Americans are simply trying to survive their economic woes and job losses.
But then arrives The Gift...Where has it come from, and why? How can a young boy who can neither hear nor speak provide comfort, direction, and sometimes challenges to seekers who learn of the special ability? Whatever the source, its presence brings a single shaft of light and hope to Mary and her beloved Luke. Will it be enough?
But then arrives The Gift...Where has it come from, and why? How can a young boy who can neither hear nor speak provide comfort, direction, and sometimes challenges to seekers who learn of the special ability? Whatever the source, its presence brings a single shaft of light and hope to Mary and her beloved Luke. Will it be enough?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
56 people are currently reading
691 people want to read
About the author
Michael Landon Jr.
8 books69 followersMichael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include Traces of Mercy and One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
October 11, 2015
The most amazing, moving, beautiful novel I've ever had the guidance to read. Such a heart wrenching story taking place during the Great Depression Era in the 1930s, of how a mother would do anything to get her son back from the clutches of a monster. A story of undeniable love and incredible sacrifices, Mary runs from a failing marriage, taking forth with her a story of withdraw from shattered family after shattered family, as she runs with all the money her husband had and eight year old Jack, a boy blind and mute from an accident at his birth, Only sixteen when wed and seventeen when Jack was born, his bringing into the world was stained with tragedy as a car accident with Jerry driving, nearly kills both Mary and Jack as they nearly drowned during birth as the car careened into the lake. As she flees the only life she knows, she never removes her white gloves, a symbol of the families she destroyed as she dashed her hands into boiling water to force the demons away. After getting arrested for kidnapping her son from the monster Jerry, she winds up in a woman's Institution in Oregon for 18 months doing laundry as her sanity is tested as Agnie's true colors are splashed before her. A thief and a liar, it was painful to accept she didn't have her son, but he was losty in a world of empty promises and none there to care. As Jack winds up in a Mentally Handicapped Institution, Felix, a simple janitor with a homely face takes it to himself to fake Jack's death, to save him from the cruelty of the doctors there and together they live as homeless before being adopted into the family of the circus. As Mary struggled to find employment to support both her son and herself, she stumbled across Olivia, who took her on as a maid, never realizing how special Jack was until his photo was plastered all over the papers as his gift of predicting ones' future was see able. After terminating her employment due to the safety of her family, Olivia lets her go, ignoring the struggles Mary was forced to endure as her son's gift was the only thing she could hag onto. After being separated for over two years, does she catch a break, finding and reuniting with the son she feared forgot her, with Charles, a man who fought to get her put away because of a white hot anger over his destroyed life. After he received a letter years ago, his wife Lila learns of the affair he had with her sister, leaving him shot and near dead with his daughter Stephanie wrenched from his life. After retrieving Jack in a heart breaking reunion, they fought to get the place of Jack's imprisonment terminated and take on those children as their own, after the marriage of Mary and Chareles was announced. In later years, Stephanie and Charles meet up again, but it wasn't until all p[parties had passed, does Jack do something he never could do. Tell his mother he loved her.
February 20, 2017
OH MY HEAD THAT FELT LIKE AN ETERNITY. Like, I liked it... but then I didn't, but then French fries? Like dude. My minds a mushy slushy of idk. So confuzzled man. Idek if I can write a coherent review right now... I'll probably just write one later, if y'all don't mind.
May 3, 2024
This book was wonderful on so many levels. I couldn't put it down once I got to about Chapter 10, and I was sad when it ended. This was the best book I have read in months. (On par with some of my favorite Kristin Hannah novels.) It was also pretty interesting that it was written by Michael Landon, Jr.
December 26, 2016
I am so very disappointed in this book. I had it on my to-read list for years at Audible: written by Michael Landon Jr... narrated by John McDonough... a tag line featuring favorite Hallmark channel movies... the story of a depression-era family that copes with the difficulties of raising a deaf son who has a special gift... There were no indications anywhere that I would dislike this book or regret buying not just the audio but the e-book too.
When the car bearing Mary in labor with Jack goes careening off the road into a freezing lake, tragedy of unrealized expectations begins to crack a young family. Jerry becomes hard and unfeeling toward his misfit son and takes it out on his wife. With no one else, Jack becomes Mary's entire world. When they must escape or be destroyed by Jerry's rage, Mary runs with Jack and soon discovers in the midst of their struggle that he has a special gift of prophecy. In the beginning, I thought perhaps I was just reacting to the over sentimentality that can accompany these "inspirational" labels. There was a time when I would have been moved and "inspired" right along with many as Mary discovers that Jack can write numbers. I was however dismayed when somehow the chapters and verses of Scripture were tied to them with virtually no sense.
Do I deny that the Bible has power? I would never deny that. Do I dispute that miracles happen? Also, no. However, I take great offense that our society thinks Scripture is something to be played with like a dartboard of enigma machine that spits out fortune cookie style futures completely out of context. Far from inspirational, the Bible was here used as a gimmick. It could have just as easily been a book of Shakespearean quotations.
I have also become increasingly sensitive over the years to this concept that much of Christendom still clings to that the disabled have some kind of mystical connection to God. Here's what's wrong with that: thinking this way gives Christians an excuse not to do the hard work of reaching and evangelizing them! If we can convince ourselves that they have some special connection to God already - outside the Means of Grace - then we don't have to make ourselves uncomfortable trying to reach them. That's wrong and dangerous thinking, and I refuse to sit back quietly and call that "inspirational."
Despite these failings showing up right away in the beginning of the book, I read it to the very end so I could honestly say it didn't get any better. The story was a parade of failed characters with the Bible right along side them and very poorly used. What a disappointment.
When the car bearing Mary in labor with Jack goes careening off the road into a freezing lake, tragedy of unrealized expectations begins to crack a young family. Jerry becomes hard and unfeeling toward his misfit son and takes it out on his wife. With no one else, Jack becomes Mary's entire world. When they must escape or be destroyed by Jerry's rage, Mary runs with Jack and soon discovers in the midst of their struggle that he has a special gift of prophecy. In the beginning, I thought perhaps I was just reacting to the over sentimentality that can accompany these "inspirational" labels. There was a time when I would have been moved and "inspired" right along with many as Mary discovers that Jack can write numbers. I was however dismayed when somehow the chapters and verses of Scripture were tied to them with virtually no sense.
Do I deny that the Bible has power? I would never deny that. Do I dispute that miracles happen? Also, no. However, I take great offense that our society thinks Scripture is something to be played with like a dartboard of enigma machine that spits out fortune cookie style futures completely out of context. Far from inspirational, the Bible was here used as a gimmick. It could have just as easily been a book of Shakespearean quotations.
I have also become increasingly sensitive over the years to this concept that much of Christendom still clings to that the disabled have some kind of mystical connection to God. Here's what's wrong with that: thinking this way gives Christians an excuse not to do the hard work of reaching and evangelizing them! If we can convince ourselves that they have some special connection to God already - outside the Means of Grace - then we don't have to make ourselves uncomfortable trying to reach them. That's wrong and dangerous thinking, and I refuse to sit back quietly and call that "inspirational."
Despite these failings showing up right away in the beginning of the book, I read it to the very end so I could honestly say it didn't get any better. The story was a parade of failed characters with the Bible right along side them and very poorly used. What a disappointment.
September 23, 2013
I really enjoyed this debut novel from Michael Landon, Jr. and Cindy Kelley. The pair worked together on the Love Comes Softly movie series and decided to write an original story of their own.
The Silent Gift takes place during the Great Depression. Jack is born to Mary deaf and mute. His father, Jerry, would rather the boy be given to an institution, but Mary never wants her sweet, innocent, albeit silent son, anywhere but in her loving care. When she discovers Jerry plans to leave them penniless for another woman, Mary makes a daring move to run away with Jack for a new life.
At first, life in a different city looks promising. However, events soon leave Mary and Jack desperate for money and a place to live. As fate would have it, in the midst of their trying circumstances, Mary discovers something fascinating about Jack- through a strange process, he can prophecy people's futures. Together with the various characters they met along the way, Mary must decide how to use this gift. Is this God's plan for provision for Jack's future, or is making money off it a sin with grave consequences? When a spiteful act sets in motion events that will separate Jack and Mary, can any good come from places of such pain and hopelessness?
First of all, I loved the setting the authors penned. It truly felt like I was glimpsing life in the 1930's. From product references, to popular songs on the radio, to the hobos and the circus performers, they manged to capture the time period very well. Secondly, I thought the story was very unique and likely to stick in my memory for quite some time. They leave some things vague on purpose at the end, which both bugged me and delighted me. Overall, a great book club choice and very enjoyable, though at times heartbreaking, read. Highly recommend!
The Silent Gift takes place during the Great Depression. Jack is born to Mary deaf and mute. His father, Jerry, would rather the boy be given to an institution, but Mary never wants her sweet, innocent, albeit silent son, anywhere but in her loving care. When she discovers Jerry plans to leave them penniless for another woman, Mary makes a daring move to run away with Jack for a new life.
At first, life in a different city looks promising. However, events soon leave Mary and Jack desperate for money and a place to live. As fate would have it, in the midst of their trying circumstances, Mary discovers something fascinating about Jack- through a strange process, he can prophecy people's futures. Together with the various characters they met along the way, Mary must decide how to use this gift. Is this God's plan for provision for Jack's future, or is making money off it a sin with grave consequences? When a spiteful act sets in motion events that will separate Jack and Mary, can any good come from places of such pain and hopelessness?
First of all, I loved the setting the authors penned. It truly felt like I was glimpsing life in the 1930's. From product references, to popular songs on the radio, to the hobos and the circus performers, they manged to capture the time period very well. Secondly, I thought the story was very unique and likely to stick in my memory for quite some time. They leave some things vague on purpose at the end, which both bugged me and delighted me. Overall, a great book club choice and very enjoyable, though at times heartbreaking, read. Highly recommend!
November 10, 2009
It is almost 3:00 in the morning as I write this review. Why? Because I just finished the last page of a book that gripped my heart from the first paragraph and didn't let go until the last sentence had me in tears. I was swept away into the life and times of the 1930's with such abandon that I would have sworn for a short while that I could smell the circus, see the sunlight reflecting off the windows at the Edmundson's estate, glimpse the red skin barely peeking out from under Mary's white kid gloves and feel Jack sitting next to me in comfortable silence, sharing companionship with an old friend. The fact that the storyline was fresh and original and always left me wondering what was around the corner was sheer bonus.
The story opens with Jerry driving his young wife Mary to the hospital in labor. On the way there things go horribly awry and we are left wondering if Mary and Jack even survive. From there we move forward seven years and things aren't good. Mary finally sees an opening to leave Jerry and she does just that, taking Jack and fleeing to safety... maybe. Along the way she discovers that Jack has a gift... of prophecy, but he can't speak. This is incredibly interesting and then suddenly the world is turned on its head and Jack is taken away from Mary. Time passes and Mary can finally go looking for Jack, but her search does not reveal what she was hoping for. Is God really watching out for her? Who can she trust? Has Mary let down her son when he had no one else?
Venture carefully into this story because you may not want to leave after meeting Mary and Jack, and I dare you not to love them and sob at the last sentence in this wonderful book.
The story opens with Jerry driving his young wife Mary to the hospital in labor. On the way there things go horribly awry and we are left wondering if Mary and Jack even survive. From there we move forward seven years and things aren't good. Mary finally sees an opening to leave Jerry and she does just that, taking Jack and fleeing to safety... maybe. Along the way she discovers that Jack has a gift... of prophecy, but he can't speak. This is incredibly interesting and then suddenly the world is turned on its head and Jack is taken away from Mary. Time passes and Mary can finally go looking for Jack, but her search does not reveal what she was hoping for. Is God really watching out for her? Who can she trust? Has Mary let down her son when he had no one else?
Venture carefully into this story because you may not want to leave after meeting Mary and Jack, and I dare you not to love them and sob at the last sentence in this wonderful book.
October 24, 2022
Mary finds out her husband is having an affair and flees with her deaf-mute son, Jack to Chicago. She learns her son has a the gift of prophecy and uses it to secure her son's future.
Mary's husband returns to claim his son and Mary is imprisoned for kidnapping her own child. Jack slips away and is on the run.
Mary thinks of only reclaiming Jack when she get out of prison.
This story has a lot of twists and unexpected turns. A very enjoyable story.
Mary's husband returns to claim his son and Mary is imprisoned for kidnapping her own child. Jack slips away and is on the run.
Mary thinks of only reclaiming Jack when she get out of prison.
This story has a lot of twists and unexpected turns. A very enjoyable story.
August 25, 2023
Great Book
This book is so different - a lot of twist and turns. You can feel the mother’s love, struggles pain. The Silent Gift, is hard to put down. I almost gave it 5 stars, but I do not give any book 5 stars.
This book is so different - a lot of twist and turns. You can feel the mother’s love, struggles pain. The Silent Gift, is hard to put down. I almost gave it 5 stars, but I do not give any book 5 stars.
March 30, 2022
I enjoyed it.
December 24, 2009
An absolutely marvelous read. A joy from the time you pick it up until you finish the final word.
Set in the era of the Great Depression, one flawed woman and one flawed boy make their way through poverty, prosperity, and politics, to finally arrive at peace.
‘The Silent Gift‘ by Michael Landon, Jr. and Cindy Kelley will cause you to think just how far our culture has come in how we view those who are physically disabled and even more those who are emotionally scarred.
Mary Goodwin, mother to Jack, begins the story with an escape from an adulterous husband. She flees into the night with her son who cannot hear or speak. He is a throw-away in the days of the Great Depression. But, to his mother, he is the Silent Gift.
During their adventures, Mary struggles with her faith. She is most resilient and resourceful in providing for her son. They are broken people in a very broken world. She is deceived, exploited and abandoned.
All these occasions prompt the reader to identify with such hard times in our own lives. I especially enjoyed the conversations that Mary had with herself and to and finally with God.
So often we consider our broken lives, our particular streak of bad luck as some would call it, as a curse or a punishment. In this novel, the truth is revealed that afflictions, hard times, hard lives are given only to those wise enough to benefit from them.
This is a lovely story every mother should read, especially regarding the issue of trust. I can imagine there are very few things stronger than a mother’s love for her child, even when no afflictions are present. In this story the issue of trust is experienced by Mary as she must come to trust God with the life and the future of her deaf, mute son.
The ending of the story and how all the events of Mary’s life provoked her to a life of service is especially heartwarming. It reveals that the ‘afflictions’ we have this life should not be viewed as curses or punishment but as a training ground to make us into the person God would have us be in order to give comfort to others going through the same or similar afflictions. This is truly the silent gift.
I recommend this book highly for anyone who thinks they are throw-aways of society.
Set in the era of the Great Depression, one flawed woman and one flawed boy make their way through poverty, prosperity, and politics, to finally arrive at peace.
‘The Silent Gift‘ by Michael Landon, Jr. and Cindy Kelley will cause you to think just how far our culture has come in how we view those who are physically disabled and even more those who are emotionally scarred.
Mary Goodwin, mother to Jack, begins the story with an escape from an adulterous husband. She flees into the night with her son who cannot hear or speak. He is a throw-away in the days of the Great Depression. But, to his mother, he is the Silent Gift.
During their adventures, Mary struggles with her faith. She is most resilient and resourceful in providing for her son. They are broken people in a very broken world. She is deceived, exploited and abandoned.
All these occasions prompt the reader to identify with such hard times in our own lives. I especially enjoyed the conversations that Mary had with herself and to and finally with God.
So often we consider our broken lives, our particular streak of bad luck as some would call it, as a curse or a punishment. In this novel, the truth is revealed that afflictions, hard times, hard lives are given only to those wise enough to benefit from them.
This is a lovely story every mother should read, especially regarding the issue of trust. I can imagine there are very few things stronger than a mother’s love for her child, even when no afflictions are present. In this story the issue of trust is experienced by Mary as she must come to trust God with the life and the future of her deaf, mute son.
The ending of the story and how all the events of Mary’s life provoked her to a life of service is especially heartwarming. It reveals that the ‘afflictions’ we have this life should not be viewed as curses or punishment but as a training ground to make us into the person God would have us be in order to give comfort to others going through the same or similar afflictions. This is truly the silent gift.
I recommend this book highly for anyone who thinks they are throw-aways of society.
April 28, 2010
If you have not read any of Michael Landon Jr.'s books - you are missing out!
I had previously read One More Sunrise and was anxious to get my hands on his second book, The Silent Gift.
I could hardly put this book down - it drew me in from the very first chapter and I found myself rushing to get back to the story and find out what happens to Jack, the little boy who is deaf and mute.
Jack's journey begins with a tumultuous birth underwater, after an automobile accident. From there, he and his mother struggle to survive after they are forced to leave home. Jack's father is cruel and calculating and Jack's mother Mary, finds herself fleeing an abusive relationship and winds up homeless.
Hiding from her husband and terrified he'll track her down, Mary takes refuge at the local Salvation Army shelter with her son. While there, Mary discovers Jack's "gift" when she's given a Bible. Having never communicated before, Jack begins drawing "numbers" in the sand which Mary finally correlates to Biblical passages and suddenly Jack is prophesying things that come to pass.
As his "gift" begins to develop it opens doors for Jack and Mary that they never thought possible. But for the many blessings the "gift" brings......it also brings curses and threatens to separate Jack from his mother forever. When the media gets winds of Jack and the "gift" is publicized, all kinds of gold diggers come out of the wood work, wanting to exploit Jack and his mother.
Worse yet, Jack's father sees his son's picture in a local newspaper and after years of searching for his son and wife - he goes on the hunt again, determined to bring them both back under his control.
Full of suspense, this book will hold your interest all the way through.
October 20, 2015
This book starts out with purple prose so over the top that I nearly put it down, but the story was compelling, so I finished it. Jack's birth story had me rolling my eyes until I think I may have sprained them a bit. I found myself annoyed with the characters and for people professing that Mary was like family, Olivia sure dumped Mary on her butt fast enough - although they did help out in the end after she didn't need their help to survive anymore.
Jack narrating at the end didn't work for me either. How did he gain the ability to write and to talk? The over the top religion didn't work either. It wasn't consistent for a believer or a non believer - how they would really act.
The person she told would have a baby in the beginning would have waited for them to show back up, and how in the 1930s did she find out she was pregnant after one day? They didn't have speedy pregnancy tests back then? The entire story was too contrived. And Mary's husband just giving up after she served her sentence? He was too much of a jerk to not come back and make trouble, but hey, get a boyfriend who is a lawyer and the world lets you do whatever you want.
That being said, I loved Felix and would have loved to see a story written just about him. He was the best thing in the book. He stayed true to character, and seemed like a real person. That is who Mary should have ended up with.
Jack narrating at the end didn't work for me either. How did he gain the ability to write and to talk? The over the top religion didn't work either. It wasn't consistent for a believer or a non believer - how they would really act.
The person she told would have a baby in the beginning would have waited for them to show back up, and how in the 1930s did she find out she was pregnant after one day? They didn't have speedy pregnancy tests back then? The entire story was too contrived. And Mary's husband just giving up after she served her sentence? He was too much of a jerk to not come back and make trouble, but hey, get a boyfriend who is a lawyer and the world lets you do whatever you want.
That being said, I loved Felix and would have loved to see a story written just about him. He was the best thing in the book. He stayed true to character, and seemed like a real person. That is who Mary should have ended up with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2016
There is much to love about this story - which is actually several stories all overlapping one another. Although some of the scenarios are not particularly believable, the flawed human characters certainly are true to life - and the choices the characters make, in spite of their flaws, is a very endearing part of the story. Love and self-sacrifice win in the end and that always makes for a good ending!
I would give it 4.5 stars, if that were an option.
Clean readers: this one is 100% clean.
I would give it 4.5 stars, if that were an option.
Clean readers: this one is 100% clean.
June 7, 2016
Such a beautiful, beautiful book. The characters and their journeys are so life like and real. I found myself hooked from the very first page, as I followed the ups and downs in the lives of Mary and her son Jack. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes to read about people who are real, and not perfect, warts and all. Even though at times it looks like there will not be a happy ending; eventually there is one.
July 31, 2010
I'm not so much a fan of the "inspirational" novel genre and probably wouldn't have chosen this had I not gone to the library with the entire family after already running a few errands. Their collective patience didn't allow for adequate browsing. ;)
The book was interesting enough for me to finish it, but had some issues with pacing and heavy-handedness.
The book was interesting enough for me to finish it, but had some issues with pacing and heavy-handedness.
July 20, 2012
Meh. I think this could have been better. The focus was usually on what the mother was doing and feeling rather than on what the son was doing and feeling. This became painfully true in the last fifty pages. I didn't like that a major plot development was brought to light in the last chapter by a character speaking from heaven either.
October 7, 2015
This book was mostly depressing. The child was unrealistic. He showed hardly any emotions and was almost totally inactive (he just sat around most of the time).
January 19, 2010
So I'm still waiting for really good, quality Christian fiction. Why is it so hard to find? There were places in this story that I enjoyed but there were also so many holes in it and so many places that I skipped.
October 22, 2010
This plot is too contrived for my taste. It is predictable and shallow. I was very disappointed in the book.
July 14, 2012
This book was really good! It's a good mix of heart-warming, frustrating, and then back to heart-warming again. I enjoyed it all the way through.
September 25, 2025
I was wandering around the library and decided to borrow a book to read. I came across this one, and it really strengthened my faith. Even though it is a work of fiction, it made me wonder because it feels like something that could actually happen in real life. There are people who are truly gifted by God, and though I may not know them personally, I believe they exist. The story might not happen exactly as written, but I believe similar situations could occur.I admire how Mary persevered through her struggles and portrayed a mother figure who loved her son, Jack, unconditionally. Despite the abuse she suffered from her husband and the betrayal she faced, she fought for her son’s future. Even though her past kept haunting her, she chose to set it aside and find a way to create a better life for Jack.The twists and turns in the story made me reflect on how important it is to protect yourself from harmful people. Where there is good, there is also evil. One thing I’m sure of is that no matter what happens, with prayer and supplication, you will always be guided on the right path. Even if the journey is painful, it will serve a purpose.I was especially moved by the part where Mary believed Jack had died. She was overwhelmed with sorrow and desperation, and it reminded me that in the midst of grief, God sends people to help us through it. For Mary, that person was Charles, who could relate to her pain and longing for her child. Through Charles, she found a companion who truly cared for her.Charles, to me, is a realistic portrayal of humanity. There is no such thing as a perfect person, but people can change. We learn that Charles had done something terrible to his previous wife, which led to him being separated from his daughter for many years. But he never gave up he kept repenting and writing letters to his daughter. Eventually, they reconciled. Mary later discovered that Jack was alive, and together with Charles, they decided to build a home for children who longed for love and a safe place to stay.Life may not turn out the way we expect, but it is important to find beauty even in difficult situations. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting what happened it means moving forward, letting go, and refusing to let the pain imprison or define you.
December 13, 2023
I have gone back and forth between 3 and 4 stars. It's honestly 3.5.
This book, set during the 1930's, is primarily a story about a mother's love. Mary is young woman with a broken past: her parents divorced when she was a child, her mother drank herself to death, and Mary grew up in a series of foster homes. She marries Jerry when she is just 16, but he turns sour when their son, Jack, is born deaf, mute, and often simply trancelike. Jerry grows increasingly mean and when Mary finds a envelope of money and divorce papers in Jerry's pocket, she takes the opportunity to run away with Jack for a better life.
From that point, Mary and Jack's lives are on a roller coaster from a homeless shelter to a position as a live-in maid with a kind family. It is there they discover that Jack has the gift of prophesy, which he reveals by writing the numbers of Scripture verses. As Jack's fame grows, Mary is presented with a new set of problems, including Jerry's coming to reclaim his money and his son, the "cash cow."
Reasons for 4 stars: a) The Silent Gift was mostly unpredictable with lots of twists and turns. b] There were a number of great characters, including Mary, Charles, and Felix. c) I appreciated the spiritual messages woven through the story of trusting God, forgiveness and redemption. They were believable and well-integrated into the story.
Reasons for 3 stars: It was frustrating to me that Mary made no real effort to teach Jack how to communicate: he doesn't learn sign language, or how to read lips, or how to read and write. Part of the book deals with Mary's efforts to make sure that Jack is taken care "after she is gone" but apparently, that only meant financially. I realize that was a different time, when handicapped children were often put away and forgotten, but it seemed to be a major flaw.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy Christian fiction. It is engaging and a quick read.
This book, set during the 1930's, is primarily a story about a mother's love. Mary is young woman with a broken past: her parents divorced when she was a child, her mother drank herself to death, and Mary grew up in a series of foster homes. She marries Jerry when she is just 16, but he turns sour when their son, Jack, is born deaf, mute, and often simply trancelike. Jerry grows increasingly mean and when Mary finds a envelope of money and divorce papers in Jerry's pocket, she takes the opportunity to run away with Jack for a better life.
From that point, Mary and Jack's lives are on a roller coaster from a homeless shelter to a position as a live-in maid with a kind family. It is there they discover that Jack has the gift of prophesy, which he reveals by writing the numbers of Scripture verses. As Jack's fame grows, Mary is presented with a new set of problems, including Jerry's coming to reclaim his money and his son, the "cash cow."
Reasons for 4 stars: a) The Silent Gift was mostly unpredictable with lots of twists and turns. b] There were a number of great characters, including Mary, Charles, and Felix. c) I appreciated the spiritual messages woven through the story of trusting God, forgiveness and redemption. They were believable and well-integrated into the story.
Reasons for 3 stars: It was frustrating to me that Mary made no real effort to teach Jack how to communicate: he doesn't learn sign language, or how to read lips, or how to read and write. Part of the book deals with Mary's efforts to make sure that Jack is taken care "after she is gone" but apparently, that only meant financially. I realize that was a different time, when handicapped children were often put away and forgotten, but it seemed to be a major flaw.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy Christian fiction. It is engaging and a quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2023
This book had a lovely story line. I was a little skeptical of it when I began reading it as my awareness and criticism is always hightened when reading books that includes deafness. This book touched the harsh reality that many who were deaf experienced in the story's time period and still today--language deprivation. But I appreciated the heart of the mother as she provided what she could with what she knew. It proves once again that knowledge can unlock doors. However, this story did have some predictability to it, which isn't my favorite
May 5, 2018
Riveting
I loved shows that Michael Landon was in and helped produce but I didn’t realize until recently that his son his a talented writer. This book is so riveting and I don’t want to give an spoiler alerts, so I will just say this book keeps you on edge wondering what will happen next and if the boy will be okay. I read this book in one day because I just couldn’t put it down.
I loved shows that Michael Landon was in and helped produce but I didn’t realize until recently that his son his a talented writer. This book is so riveting and I don’t want to give an spoiler alerts, so I will just say this book keeps you on edge wondering what will happen next and if the boy will be okay. I read this book in one day because I just couldn’t put it down.
December 7, 2023
oh what a beautiful story
From the opening lines of this book, the reader remains breathless until its final pages. It is a story that ma caused me to tear up, laugh unabashedly, and read long into the night. One could see a mother’s love for her child, love expressed by the child who could not say the words, good people in bad places, not so good people in nice places, and sometimes downright evil. Oh do take the time to read it. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
From the opening lines of this book, the reader remains breathless until its final pages. It is a story that ma caused me to tear up, laugh unabashedly, and read long into the night. One could see a mother’s love for her child, love expressed by the child who could not say the words, good people in bad places, not so good people in nice places, and sometimes downright evil. Oh do take the time to read it. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
November 6, 2017
A friend highly recommended this book. I was so taken with it I recommended it for my book Club! It is such a beautiful, moving and sad story all at the same time. I could not put it down. What an interesting twist at the end. It is a heart wrenching story of a mother’s fierce love for her child. What an interesting cast of characters!
May 12, 2018
I typically avoid period stories. This one begins in 1930, just after America’s most desolate time in history. Even as I began reading, I was already thinking about putting this book aside and starting a new one. But, I started to get emotionally involved in the story. And by the time I gotten near the end, I couldn’t hold the tears back. What a tragic, but touching story!
October 26, 2019
This book was very good at making me feel what was going on. Partly as a result of some of my life experiences. The things this mother went through to protect her son was heartbreaking in a lot of ways, but spoiler alert-they get back together in the end. There were good, helpful people along the way for both of them. And some not so great.
December 27, 2020
When an abused mother flees with her deaf/mute, eight-year old, she discovers that he has a special ability. With her husband tracking them, she does whatever she can to keep her son safe ... until she can't. This was an entertaining read. Just when I thought it was getting good, it got even better. This novel is set in the late 1920's and early 1930's.
May 18, 2023
3 1/2 stars on this one! Good quick read that is a well written story about a mother and her special needs son who has a special gift. She wants to protect her son from everything and evwryone. Their story and problems throughout their lives are well presented and makes you like so many of the characters.
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