melissahoward's review against another edition
5.0
I first read Silence in college for my ‘Themes in Literature’ class. I don’t remember anything about the discussion we had regarding the book. What I do remember is that it was my first real introduction to the word and concept of apostasy. I remember being struck by the grace in the book but not really understanding it as such. It haunted me for years...I kept it...then it was gone. Last year, I decided that I wanted to read it again and after searching concluded that I must have gotten rid of it in one of my organizing/cleaning sprees and so when my husband asked for Christmas gift ideas, it was on the list and lo and behold, I got it. I think he knew it mattered because occasionally, over the years, I would bring the book up.
I started reading it again and somewhere about twenty pages in, something else distracted me and it was put away. Then when I heard about the “Share a Good Book” campaign for book club, I decided that I wanted to suggest “Silence’ and realized I would have to finish reading it. So are you convinced? So far, all you know is that it stuck in my memory for a few minor details and that I got rid of it and then when I received a new copy, I could not finish it on the first try.
Trust me, it is worth the effort. It probably takes nearly half the book to get involved in it. The translator has a lengthy introduction that ought to be read and the Endo has his own prologue that sets the scene, which also ought to be read. Finally, the book starts and we still spend a vast amount of time laying the groundwork for the “swamp” of Japan.
I started reading it again and somewhere about twenty pages in, something else distracted me and it was put away. Then when I heard about the “Share a Good Book” campaign for book club, I decided that I wanted to suggest “Silence’ and realized I would have to finish reading it. So are you convinced? So far, all you know is that it stuck in my memory for a few minor details and that I got rid of it and then when I received a new copy, I could not finish it on the first try.
Trust me, it is worth the effort. It probably takes nearly half the book to get involved in it. The translator has a lengthy introduction that ought to be read and the Endo has his own prologue that sets the scene, which also ought to be read. Finally, the book starts and we still spend a vast amount of time laying the groundwork for the “swamp” of Japan.
edwinwis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Aangrijpend boek. Er staat op de achterkant een indringende roman over geloof, vertwijfeling en verlossing. Dit klopt helemaal. Een priester komt er door vervolging steeds meer achter wat zijn geloof nu echt is. Uiteindelijk verloochent hij zijn geloof om andere gelovigen te redden. Op dat moment wordt het wel duidelijk dat Christus juist voor ongelovigen als hem is gestorven. Het eind van het boek is vreemd en nog onbegrijpelijk. Ik weet niet goed wat ik daarmee moet. Een boek wat tot nadenken stemt en vaker gelezen moet worden.
leeannette09's review against another edition
4.0
“And like the sea God was silent. His silence continued.”
definitely an interesting and thought-provoking read, this book explores the common questions of “why does God let suffering happen?” and “why does He remain silent during suffering?” - things I have asked myself as a Christian and are common in the world of apologetics. I can definitely resonate with the protagonist of the novel as he grapples with what he thinks he knows about faith, suffering, love, sacrifice, and God. I respect Endo’s exploration into these tough and complicated topics and how they made me pause and think about my own beliefs. also pretty sad and jarring to read at times in terms of the brutality and persecution of believers.
what I didn’t love: the writing / flow of the novel - but also I think that’s because it was a translation from the original Japanese manuscript
definitely an interesting and thought-provoking read, this book explores the common questions of “why does God let suffering happen?” and “why does He remain silent during suffering?” - things I have asked myself as a Christian and are common in the world of apologetics. I can definitely resonate with the protagonist of the novel as he grapples with what he thinks he knows about faith, suffering, love, sacrifice, and God. I respect Endo’s exploration into these tough and complicated topics and how they made me pause and think about my own beliefs. also pretty sad and jarring to read at times in terms of the brutality and persecution of believers.
what I didn’t love: the writing / flow of the novel - but also I think that’s because it was a translation from the original Japanese manuscript
annakareniner's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure how much of the book’s lyricality can be attributed to the Translator, but its style makes for a quite lovely read—fluid without being cumbersome. Shusaku Endo’s technique—employing recurring motives like ‘singing cicadas’ and ‘waves biting the shore’ adds to the poetry of the novel—sometimes to an interesting degree which personally I can’t decide whether too much or just enough. Where this works the most though is with the theme of the titular Silence, which you’ll find out as you comb through the story. The plot is predictable, except for the last confrontation between two characters that reveals the nature of the renunciation of faith by one of them.
Overall good read.
Overall good read.
ruyanda's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
glendonrfrank's review against another edition
5.0
I've been a fan of Scorcese's take on Silence since it first released, and have been wanting to read the novel for some time now. I shouldn't be surprised that the movie is so faithful an adaption, but it truly is about as spot-on as you can get. I think Scorcese shifts the locus of the story's complexity slightly - his Ferreira reads a little more sympathetically to me, which adds nuance in some areas but also brings you to take some things for granted when Endo might want you to question them. For the most part that is semantics, as both the film and the book are filled with complexities which recieve little to no answers.
One thing about the novel that the film depicts but doesn't quite capture to the same depth is the degree to which Rodriguez really sees himself in a Passion play. Every small detail - the cock crowing, a journey through a garden - all sink the reader deeper into this psychology. The film focuses on Rodriguez's pride in comparing himself to Jesus, but Endo seems more interested in his inevitable alignment with Judas. Rodriguez wrestles constantly with Jesus' final words to Judas, unsure whether to hear them as a condemnation or an act of mercy, until with terror he feels those words directed to himself. There's a lot to unpack here, and it's easy to overlook some of it due to my familiarity with the story, but it's still obviously a masterpiece. This and the movie are required reading as far as I'm concerned.
One thing about the novel that the film depicts but doesn't quite capture to the same depth is the degree to which Rodriguez really sees himself in a Passion play. Every small detail - the cock crowing, a journey through a garden - all sink the reader deeper into this psychology. The film focuses on Rodriguez's pride in comparing himself to Jesus, but Endo seems more interested in his inevitable alignment with Judas. Rodriguez wrestles constantly with Jesus' final words to Judas, unsure whether to hear them as a condemnation or an act of mercy, until with terror he feels those words directed to himself. There's a lot to unpack here, and it's easy to overlook some of it due to my familiarity with the story, but it's still obviously a masterpiece. This and the movie are required reading as far as I'm concerned.
shanviolinlove's review against another edition
4.0
Compelling story of sacrifice and devotion for God and His followers, Silence follows a missionary's journey to Japan to seek a fellow priest and countryman who had infamously apostatized. Upon his entrance to Japan he meets other covert believers, as well as the troubled Kichijiro, whose faith is complicated by his fear of the oppressive persecution the nation's officials are enacting upon Christians. The novel features interesting dialogues between Christians (specifically Catholics) and resistant Japanese in regards to how this religion, especially in its westernized form, can be reconciled in an eastern culture and nation.
As is mentioned in the intro and prologue, the message that Christianity cannot take root in Japan is not only rejected by the characters (who point out that the religion in the past had flourished, but it is because of persecution that it cannot be reconciled), but also by the number of believers in the country. An even more powerful motif throughout the novel is its title, Silence, referring to God's seeming silence toward his sufferers during torture and martyrdom. Whether or not Endo is offering some kind of critique (though, based on the preface materials, I would argue no), he definitely highlights a reality among many Christians who face overwhelming trials on Earth--why does God allow this, and why does God not intervene in a supernatural way? Why is His voice so hard to hear in moments of crisis when it is most needed? The protagonist Rodrigues arrives at his own conclusion to this dilemma.
Silence is an evocative story that brought me to tears several times, especially in its poignancy and urgency. The hymn that is referenced throughout the novel resonates with scriptural significance and beauty. My one reason for not awarding this a full five stars is in Endo's repetition, belaboring over details or even entire scenes again and again, as well as helping the reader a little too much with foreshadowing. True, he does this intentionally to heighten the climax, but these efforts do come across now and then as heavy-handed. Regardless, this is a beautiful, arresting novel, and I look forward to reading more of Endo's work in the future. Having begun this novel around Christmastime, I was able to consider the true cost of discipleship, as well as Christ's sacrifice and commission.
As is mentioned in the intro and prologue, the message that Christianity cannot take root in Japan is not only rejected by the characters (who point out that the religion in the past had flourished, but it is because of persecution that it cannot be reconciled), but also by the number of believers in the country. An even more powerful motif throughout the novel is its title, Silence, referring to God's seeming silence toward his sufferers during torture and martyrdom. Whether or not Endo is offering some kind of critique (though, based on the preface materials, I would argue no), he definitely highlights a reality among many Christians who face overwhelming trials on Earth--why does God allow this, and why does God not intervene in a supernatural way? Why is His voice so hard to hear in moments of crisis when it is most needed? The protagonist Rodrigues arrives at his own conclusion to this dilemma.
Silence is an evocative story that brought me to tears several times, especially in its poignancy and urgency. The hymn that is referenced throughout the novel resonates with scriptural significance and beauty. My one reason for not awarding this a full five stars is in Endo's repetition, belaboring over details or even entire scenes again and again, as well as helping the reader a little too much with foreshadowing. True, he does this intentionally to heighten the climax, but these efforts do come across now and then as heavy-handed. Regardless, this is a beautiful, arresting novel, and I look forward to reading more of Endo's work in the future. Having begun this novel around Christmastime, I was able to consider the true cost of discipleship, as well as Christ's sacrifice and commission.
jacksonhager's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.5
neil_denham's review against another edition
2.0
Graham Greene really likes this book.
I really like Graham Greene.
However, I did not really like this book.
I really like Graham Greene.
However, I did not really like this book.
thisotherbookaccount's review against another edition
5.0
I don't want this to sound like a hyperbole, but Silence may be one of the best books on faith — and the hubris of imperialism — that I have ever read in my life. Reading it in Kyushu, Japan, where the book is set, may have helped, but it stands squarely on its own as a triumph in Japanese literature. A worthy read.