The Seduction of Silence: Following Five Generations of One Remarkable Indian Family on a Quest for Enlightenment

by Bem Le Hunte

Follow Five Generations of One Remarkable Indian Family on a Quest for Enlightenment.

Genres: Fiction, India

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2001

Reviews

[Marion Grace Woolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is possibly my favourite book of all time.

It truly touches the soul.

The story follows three generations of an Indian family from the ayurvedic, Hindu lands of India, to a Spiritualist church in London. Hugely sad, funny, profound and intriguing. Unpretentious and beautiful to read.

Worth every penny. One of those rare books that I know I will always have a place for on my bookshelf.

[Saleh MoonWalker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Onvan : The Seduction of Silence - Nevisande : Bem Le Hunte - ISBN : 60573686 - ISBN13 : 9780060573683 - Dar 416 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2001

[Kathy Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story was reasonably enjoyable, although got a bit heavy in places. I probably enjoyed the "ambience" of rural India the most from the book. Basically a story of a somewhat complicated family history and the twists and turns the generations took. I also liked the quotes at the beginning of each of the four sections of the book.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying most of the story, even though most of the women were messed up in some way. But the richness of the writing seemed to come to a screeching halt as the final plot sped up. It was like the author had a plan to do all these stories but lost the feeling from the bulk of the book. I had recently also read The Covenant of Water, so I may have been saturated with multi-generational Indian families.

I found myself envious at the beginning of the book of the men’s ability to leave their life and pursue enlightenment. The Himalayan setting descriptions were beautiful.

[Eileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mysticism/history. Multiple generations of a family beginning in India in the days of the Raj, passing through England in the time of the hippies & gurus and ending in Australia in modern times. Interesting from a cultural standpoint.

[Amy Morais · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the richness of the characters but towards the end the pace moved too quickly. In tying up the story lines, the main characters faded out and the newer generation came into view, slightly blurry.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A multi-generational tale that meanders from the days of the Raj, through hippiedom and modern Australia with trips to India interspersed in the timeline. This is a complicated family tale of seekers, those who love them and the tensions between them. Seduction of Silence is not a compelling book but it is an extremely interesting one, especially if you are interested in India and the cultural tensions resulting from the Raj. I'm glad I read it.

[Simi Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was alright. I know that each girl had to go through obstacles and find love. Now, I'm not a big fan of romantic-drama (not even when I watch a movie on that category), it did make me feel cozy and less lonely. Overall, it's an interesting book. For anyone who is into romance or need something to quench their lonely soul, this might be good. Who knows?

[Madhurima Pramod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. I enjoyed all the story lines. Jivan’s story was the saddest and the one I ended up caring about the most and I really wish there was a more concrete way the author concluded on that.

[Stephanie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite book of all time!

[Doughnut · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book soothing for my current state of mind: it's about life and death, and family and loss, and how all of these things come together, fall apart, and come back together, in tragic, magical, and ultimately unimaginable ways. I'm still not sure I understand what the seduction of silence is, but one thing I know is that I feel calmer having read this book. For me, my sense of calm is the best way to understand the title. I want to believe that this author is very wise, that she knows much more than she tells us here in print. The book reads slowly and simply, like a lazy river running over pointed stones that ultimately have little to do with the water's movement. I liked this book.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes some time to get in to, but definitely picks up. An interesting cross-generational tale about the lives we are born in to, and the lives we seek. My only criticism is that although the story takes place across 100 years, the description of the larger context is unevenly described. In other words, with some sections, there is significantly more description about the political and social realities around them, where it is less so in other parts.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This saga of an Indian family was a calm, leisurely read and lingers on the edges of one's mind.

[YAHWEH · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have never been to India or read books on the Silence, then read this incredibly rich story of a family touched by both on many levels through each generation...

[George]

Seem to dimly recall enjoying this.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warm and colorful!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books so far

[Marge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much after reading it once I kept it. And I read it again about six years later (this year). Still love it! And I plan to read it again in the future!

[Jan Golembiewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible saga you are sure to get lost in. People will only know you’re alive because they will not stop hearing you laugh and cry. A genius work.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writer. I'll read anything she writes.