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The Quality of Silence

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About this listen

Set in the extreme landscape of Alaska, The Quality of Silence follows the story of Yasmin and her deaf daughter, Ruby. Yasmin arrives in Alaska to be told her husband, Matt, is dead, the victim of a catastrophic accident. Yasmin, unable to accept this as truth, sets out into the frozen winter landscape, taking Ruby with her, in search of answers.

But as a storm closes in, Yasmin realises that a very human danger may be keeping pace with them. And with no one else on the road to help, they must keep moving, alone and terrified, through an endless Alaskan night.

In a story that explores the very limits of human resilience, The Quality of Silence is as much about a mother learning to hear her deaf daughter as it is about their journey across the vastness of Alaska, and proves, once again, that Rosamund Lupton is a storyteller of class and elegance.

©2015 Rosamund Lupton (P)2015 Hachette Audio Contemporary Fiction Genre Fiction Fiction Alaska Heartfelt Scary Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"Like a breath of icy air, this relentlessly tense thriller is also a child's-eye family drama like none other. Not since Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow have I shivered like this." (Emma Donoghue)
"Masterful pacing, riveting plotting. The Quality of Silence will have your heart thumping. Absolutely gripping." (Louise Penny)
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Most relevant

Would you try another book written by Rosamund Lupton or narrated by Rachel Atkins and Harriet Carmichael ?

Having thoroughly enjoyed Sister and Afterwards I was looking forward to The Quality of Silence, and the plot was of interest to me as I have a very young close relative who is profoundly deaf. Untenable for me was the performance of Yasmin's narrator. The writing is good, the Alaskan landscape is well drawn, but some of the vocabulary obviously was new to the narrator. Surely in that situation the narrator should find out how to pronounce those words rather than just have a stab in the dark? Notable were 'mitochondria', 'proton', and napalm'. I really don't know how you can get those wrong. 'Lichen' waxed and waned sometimes 'lich' and at other times 'like'. I know the jury is still out on this one but the majority would go with 'liken' I'm sure. We had Bescherelle mangled, and the Seine, it is Sen, not Sain, ask any Frenchman. These are just a few I can quickly recall. And don't get me started on 'lieutenant'... I liked the characters, and the description was up to conjuring images in the mind's eye, but the whole story was incredibly far-fetched and I found myself asking time and time again, 'would one really do that?' It was overall a disappointing experience.

Author 3 - 0 Narrator

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I love Lipton's style, and the substory about the deaf girl's experiences and relationships is excellent. However, the main story is so far-fetched that I found it hard to care, although the last few chapters got quite exciting again.

beautifully written but unrealistic

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Best book I've heard in ages. Gripping story. Interesting characters. Fab descriptions and awesome narration. All in all wonderful.

Fan bloody tastic

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Loved Ruby's resilient and self determined character, the relationships and environmental aspects of this novel...it touched on lots of issues and wove a thrilling little story line. A really great listen and left me keen to read more Rosamund Lupton.

A great winter listen

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What did you like best about The Quality of Silence? What did you like least?

Ruby's voice was so annoying I found it difficult to finish the book

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Not to have used such a 'silly' voice for Ruby

Would you be willing to try another one of Rachel Atkins and Harriet Carmichael ’s performances?

Probably not.

Do you think The Quality of Silence needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I enjoyed 'Sister'

Any additional comments?

Wish I hadn't bought it.

Terrible narration

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