On 24 November Yasmin and her ten-year-old daughter Ruby set off on a journey across Northern Alaska. They're searching for Ruby's father, missing in the arctic wilderness.
More isolated with each frozen mile they cover, they travel deeper into an endless night. And Ruby, deaf since birth, must brave the darkness where sight cannot guide her. She won't abandon her father.
But winter has tightened its grip, and there is somebody out there who wants to stop them. Somebody tracking them through the dark.
The Quality of Silence is the first book I have read by
Rosamund Lupton and having heard so many great things about this book I decided
to give this one a try even though it wouldn’t be the typical kind of book I
would usually pick up. What I never expected was to be taken on a journey that
would literally chill me to the bone as we watch our main characters Yasmin and
her daughter Ruby on a treacherous journey through Alaska on a mission to find
their husband/dad who is presumed dead but they refuse to believe this news and
pure determination helps them on the journey which could see more than one life
in danger.
This was such a beautifully crafted, atmospheric novel that
had me captivated the whole way through. This was a creative and original
storyline that was unpredictable, even though there were points which were a
little farfetched these were easy to brush aside thanks to the strength in the
storyline, descriptions and characters.
Ruby was what made this book such a pleasant and insightful
read for me. Ruby is Yasmin and Matt’s daughter, she is death and this is what
kept me immersed in the storyline because the way in which the author writes
about Ruby’s hearing problem was so detailed and handled beautifully and gave
real insight into living life without your hearing and also how others around
deal with living with someone who is death. I have always felt strongly that we
should all be taught sign language from an early age and reading this book has
awakened my longing to learn to sign myself. What really hit a nerve with me
was the way Ruby only felt like she could be herself online it is hard to show
your character to people who you can’t communicate with. It was quite clear
from early on in this book that Ruby had a stronger bond with her father and he
seemed to understand her feelings about wanting to sign. Her relationship with
her mum seemed to improve during their trip, spending time with Ruby and
actually taking the time to try and understand from her daughters point of view
seemed to bring them closer together.
I am thrilled that I gave this book a try as I loved this
authors skilled writing style so I am going to go and pick up Sister next.
Rosamund Lupton shot to fame with her first novel,Sister, which I really enjoyed, and now you've made me want to read this one. Sometimes reading outside our comfort zone can be really rewarding. Great title, too.
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