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Silent Discourse
Nonverbal communication can, at times, be deafening SILENT DISCOURSEA gritty tale of a troubled teen, exiled from his Amish society by his abusive father. While living outside his culture as lead singer in a rock band, he begins to unravel the secrets of his father's hatred and intolerance towards him. This double lifestyle is confusing to Nicolaus, to say the least. He finds his English world irrational, his Amish, barely reachable.
492 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2008
34 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Zanne Kennedy
19 books2 followersZanne Kennedy is a Graphic Artist by trade, and a student of the human condition by desire. She brandishes the craft of writing in order to captivate the mind, much like an artist wields a brush. She took the pages of initial concepts for this book from a blank canvas to a fully developed novel, drawing the reader in with her rich descriptions, characterizations and insights. You'll find Nick's struggle to balance his talents with his heritage compellingly touching. Zannes talent has been heralded by many and in this, her first novel, it rises admirably to the task of grabbing the reader's imagination and interest. Silent Discourse is the first in a series of recent writings; stay tuned for more in the near future. Youll find yourself drawn into her characters lives and the insider's view of the Amish world.
Places to buy Silent Discourse:
outskirtspress.com/zannekennedy
outskirtspress.com/stillsmallvoice
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble.com
"
Places to buy Silent Discourse:
outskirtspress.com/zannekennedy
outskirtspress.com/stillsmallvoice
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble.com
"
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 5, 2022
4 stars, Survival, barely
SILENT DISCOURSE (SILENT DISCOURSE SERIES BOOK 1)
by Zanne Kennedy
First of all, you should be forewarned that there are triggers in this book. A lot of parental child abuse, substance abuse, some offensive language, a lot of sleeping around, are definitely not typical things found in an Amish novel.
Nicolaus Zook has one wish for life, to be an Amish man and live the Amish way he was raised. Unfortunately, his father Jacob Zook hates him and physically and mentally abuses him, during his entire childhood. He is unwillingly pushed from his home at age 16 and left to fend for himself. Why did no one from the old order Amish community step in and protect Nicolaus from the abuse?
Nicolaus and his best friend Sylvain get a job at a music store in town. They are both in rumspringa, so it is tolerated by Sylvain's family. Both boys end up in a band that plays music in a bar, with all of the good and bad things that go along with that profession.
Basically, Nicolaus is betrayed by everyone he has ever loved, from his parents, his older brother and sister, his best friend, his girlfriend, and his boss. Yet, all Nicolaus wants is to be a good Amish man.
I admit, this book affected my emotions strongly. I felt great empathy toward Nicolaus. I was able to see a lot of myself in several of the choices he made, for similar reasons. Book 1 is a long book, there are 6 books in the series. This book just ends, with no real conclusion, which I don't care for.
The way that Jacob Zook treats Nicolaus, it is easy for me to see that Nicolaus is not Jacob's son. This is not Nicolaus' fault, that would be Jacob's and his wife Esther's fault. Yet, Jacob holds no contempt for Esther that he does for Nicolaus. Nicolaus is Jacob's convenient scapegoat. Jacob does not care what this will do to Nicolaus as he matures into a man.
It is interesting how the author delved so deeply into the close-knit Old Order Amish faith, yet also digs deeply into the loose morals of the English underworld of society. All of these things come together to construct Nicolaus' deep feelings.
This is not the typical fluffy Amish novel that is so popular today. It has deep courage, in the face of evil. This is not a happily ever after novel. This is tough living, in a tough life. This is survival, just barely.
#silentdiscourse #silentdiscourseseries #zannekennedy #survival #Amishfiction #triggerwarnings #emotional #courage #music #inspirational #smashwords
SILENT DISCOURSE (SILENT DISCOURSE SERIES BOOK 1)
by Zanne Kennedy
First of all, you should be forewarned that there are triggers in this book. A lot of parental child abuse, substance abuse, some offensive language, a lot of sleeping around, are definitely not typical things found in an Amish novel.
Nicolaus Zook has one wish for life, to be an Amish man and live the Amish way he was raised. Unfortunately, his father Jacob Zook hates him and physically and mentally abuses him, during his entire childhood. He is unwillingly pushed from his home at age 16 and left to fend for himself. Why did no one from the old order Amish community step in and protect Nicolaus from the abuse?
Nicolaus and his best friend Sylvain get a job at a music store in town. They are both in rumspringa, so it is tolerated by Sylvain's family. Both boys end up in a band that plays music in a bar, with all of the good and bad things that go along with that profession.
Basically, Nicolaus is betrayed by everyone he has ever loved, from his parents, his older brother and sister, his best friend, his girlfriend, and his boss. Yet, all Nicolaus wants is to be a good Amish man.
I admit, this book affected my emotions strongly. I felt great empathy toward Nicolaus. I was able to see a lot of myself in several of the choices he made, for similar reasons. Book 1 is a long book, there are 6 books in the series. This book just ends, with no real conclusion, which I don't care for.
The way that Jacob Zook treats Nicolaus, it is easy for me to see that Nicolaus is not Jacob's son. This is not Nicolaus' fault, that would be Jacob's and his wife Esther's fault. Yet, Jacob holds no contempt for Esther that he does for Nicolaus. Nicolaus is Jacob's convenient scapegoat. Jacob does not care what this will do to Nicolaus as he matures into a man.
It is interesting how the author delved so deeply into the close-knit Old Order Amish faith, yet also digs deeply into the loose morals of the English underworld of society. All of these things come together to construct Nicolaus' deep feelings.
This is not the typical fluffy Amish novel that is so popular today. It has deep courage, in the face of evil. This is not a happily ever after novel. This is tough living, in a tough life. This is survival, just barely.
#silentdiscourse #silentdiscourseseries #zannekennedy #survival #Amishfiction #triggerwarnings #emotional #courage #music #inspirational #smashwords
March 26, 2016
I chose to quit. For Amish readers, warning. other than the main character was raised Amish. there is little "Amish" in the first 27% which is when I quit. felt like the writer wanted to tell a bit of a trashy story and used an Amish beginning to get readers. I didn't like any of the characters or the story's plot. I cannot recommend.
Read
May 5, 2016It was an okay book. Not what I expected for an amish book. lots of bar, hooker and mischief going on. Would not recommend to my friends. Sorry.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews