Reviews

Silence by Shūsaku Endō

hussams's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A profoundly impactful reading experience, the utter darkness of humanity coupled with the faint light of hope clash with each other. What is left in the aftermath is up to the reader to decide, and that’s the beauty of it. 

madison_ainsley's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

waabel's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

debrabrinckley's review

3.0

I am honestly not sure how I feel about this book. I will need to process for awhile. However, that being said, I loved the reality of the struggle of faith that was displayed in such rawness throughout the novel. I appreciated the truth of the inner turmoil that many believers wrestle with but rarely acknowledge. Well written and thought provoking for certain.

theoblongbox's review

3.0

It was definitely not the greatest book that I have ever read or the most exciting. The way that the story is written may be a little off putting to some people at first. The story itself was interesting. I did get somewhat attached to some of the characters. I also thought that the progression of events was interesting, however, I will say that some of it was a bit predictable. Kichijiro was the one character that kept me on my feet. I was constantly wondering whether or not he would redeem himself. Overall, it was a good book.

dhoddie's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cordu_sio's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A spectrum of emotions graced me throughout my read of this novel. The final few paragraphs of chapter 10 brought me to tears. I found myself returning to the Book of Job; fanning the flames of my faith. God is truly never silent. 

vincederr's review

5.0

It’s feudal Japan and two Jesuit priests land on the shores of a hostile Japan. They’re in search of their former teacher, who it’s been reported has apostatized. We see them minister to the hidden Christians, wrestle with martyrdom, and apostasy. Endo beautifully writes on the dilemmas of faith. This is a book that you experience and a book that gnaws and expands long after reading it. Within its prose lie a myriad of haunting questions? Would apostates have died faithful Christians if they lived in a different time or place? Is it moral to deny Christ if it would end the suffering of others? The questions linger and the book weighs heavy, but there’s no denying it, this book is a masterpiece.

5 out of 5

cap_of_ma816's review

5.0

"But that pain alone is enough. I understand your pain and your suffering. It is for that reason I am here."
"Lord, I resented your silence"
"I was not silent. I suffered beside you."

Silence - the movie - is one of my favorites of all time. It challenged my faith in a way I didn't expect through portraying scenarios I'll almost definitely never find myself in. Silence - the book - did similar; a different medium, but the same convicting and inspiring message. The major difference between the two, and the reason why I prefer the movie, is the hope-filled ending through the incredible final shot of the film. Despite that preference, Silence is a book and a story that I don't see myself forgetting, or even completely understanding, for a long time.

remjunior's review

5.0

Beautiful for such a short novel. I appreciate it for asking the questions that many people, including myself, struggle with or at the very least ponder over. In the end, the priest tramples on the image of Christ, thinking to himself that Christ himself would trample on himself to stop the suffering of others. It's very philosophical and gets to the root of the church as an entity with leaders compared to the church as a missionary force in places of the world where Christianity is at direct odds with culture.

It's very fascinating and I really enjoyed the heart with which is was written. Epistolary in format, this isn't a book with a "happy ending". It is a book of questions and a look at what true suffering is, especially faced with the perceived silence of God.