Silence: Picador Classic: 66

A wonderful read. Highly acclaimed and resonates.

One of the best explorations of doubt and honesty and truth in such a gripping story. Explores deep life questions in such a beautifully crafted way. Very unique perspective on universal issues

Not an easy read if you do not have an ounce of religion in you but an important book nevertheless because it's about doubt as much as it is about faith. I just felt it was a relief to read something that came from the heart, that gave me such an excellent introduction to Japanese history, that explored ideas in a very serious way. I commend it but i know that anyone seeking instant or trite answers to life's questions will find it difficult.

The first half of this novel is a genuinely gripping account of a Christian missionary's journey into a sixteenth century Japanese heart of darkness. It's a chronicle of apostasy foretold. The terror of torture and persecution is palpable. And the abiding silence of God in the face of injustice and atrocity is complete and ineffable. That is Father Rodriguez's struggle. The image of the sea gulping its martyred victims wordlessly and unperturbed a recurring metaphor for a disinterested God. I found the novel, ultimately, somewhat repetitive in its preoccupations following Father Rodriguez's capture. It still offers some vivid and disturbing moments but somehow peters out as the inevitable conclusion unfolds. The aftermath is anticlimactic and vague. It all seems to fade, not into a profound quietude, as one might expect from the title, rather into an indistinct static: the sound of half-formed, unanswered prayers?

For me this is s great book. I'm not Christian and learnt about this book due to the new Scorsese movie and was drawn to the story. I really got into this and found it grim, sometimes harrowing but couldn't put this down. I found that I was rereading several chapters to understand the rich emotion here. I found it very easy to read and not too long. I recommend this and look forward to the movie.

An breathtaking novel studying the nature of faith, suffering and beauty. I read this alongside artist Makoto Fujimura's study of this novel, Silence and Beauty.

This book is amazing. Endo manages to reflect the turmoil of the main character's mental and religious angst throughout the whole book and he does it magnificently. Read this book it is an education.

Really difficult to explain why I enjoyed this, even after finishing. But I was gripped and the story was fantastic.

easy read, great story and satisfying ending. intricate storytelling

Todo perfecto

An absolute banger, certified must-read.

Doubtlessly a classic, the novel Silence intrigues its readers as they embark on a journey that strongly questions faith and belief until they yield.

I've put off reading this because I'd heard about Japan's Hidden Christians and how they were tortured and executed, which is already enough to make your stomach turn. But the way Shusaku Endo weaves this tale is exceptional. Rather than focus on the martyr's physical suffering, he digs deep into their psychological struggles: How they wrestle with faith, devotion, apostasy and the seeming absence of God. The novel is laden with symbolism, sometimes a bit excessive, but Endo effectively parallels narratives and characters from the bible with those of the protagonist. Brilliantly plotted and written!