The Silent Land

by Graham Joyce
The Silent Land cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Thriller/Suspense
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  • ID: 4628
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • ISBN: 9780575086630
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2010-11-18
  • Reviews: 4

In the French Alps, a young couple embarks on a skiing holiday, but their adventure takes a catastrophic turn when they are caught in an avalanche. Miraculously, they survive and make their way back to the village, only to discover it eerily deserted. As the days pass, they wait for rescue, but their attempts to leave only lead them back to the village, and they begin to experience strange visions and dreams. The lines between reality and illusion blur, and they are forced to confront the possibility that they may be the only survivors of the avalanche. The novel explores themes of love, survival, and the psychological toll of isolation. As the couple struggles to make sense of their situation, they are drawn into a world where the boundaries between life and death, past and present, become increasingly distorted. The Silent Land is a haunting and atmospheric tale that examines the resilience of human connection in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Reviews
Book Reporter · 2012-05-01
beautiful 4.50

The novel's text has the simplicity and beauty of a Georgia O'Keeffe painting. The writing is deft and evocative, creating a tapestry of intrigue.

The Silent Land is a beautifully written novel that captures the essence of life and death with poetic grace. The author's prose is both simple and profound, evoking the beauty of a Georgia O'Keeffe painting. The narrative is deft and evocative, drawing the reader into a tapestry of intrigue and emotion. The characters are well-developed, and their journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The book's exploration of love and survival is particularly noteworthy, making it a compelling and memorable read. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story. Overall, it's a powerful and evocative novel that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Quick quotes

    The novel's text has the simplicity and beauty of a Georgia O'Keeffe painting.

    The narrative is deft and evocative, drawing the reader into a tapestry of intrigue and emotion.

    The book's exploration of love and survival is particularly noteworthy.

Fantasy Literature · 2011-01-01
mixed 3.50

The book has its strengths, particularly in its prose and character development. However, it falls short of the high standards set by Joyce's other works.

While The Silent Land has its moments of brilliance, particularly in its prose and character development, it doesn't quite live up to the high standards set by Graham Joyce's other works. The story is engaging and the characters are well-developed, but there's a sense that it lacks the depth and complexity that one might expect from Joyce. Despite this, there's a lot to love in the book, and it's a story that will resonate with fans of Joyce's writing. The prose is beautifully crafted, and the exploration of the characters' emotions and relationships is both compelling and moving.

Quick quotes

    To be fair, there's also a lot to love in The Silent Land.

    Graham Joyce's prose is, as usual, perfectly lovely.

    As Jake and Zoe explore their surroundings, the story unfolds in a way that is both intriguing and emotionally resonant.

The Guardian · Eric Brown · 2010-11-05
compelling 4.00

The book skillfully portrays the fractures in relationships and the claustrophobic confinement of its characters. The writing is detailed and evocative.

In The Silent Land, Graham Joyce masterfully delineates the fracture lines of relationships, setting up the Bennetts' claustrophobic confinement in minute detail. The author's prose is both evocative and precise, drawing the reader into the characters' experiences. The novel's exploration of love and survival is both tender and haunting, making it a compelling read. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story. Overall, it's a powerful and memorable read that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Quick quotes

    Joyce is skilled at delineating the fracture lines of relationships, and sets up the Bennetts' claustrophobic confinement in minute detail.

    The novel's exploration of love and survival is both tender and haunting.

    The pacing is deliberate, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story.

thebooksmugglers.com · Unknown · 2010-11-01
heartfelt 4.50

The book is a heartfelt and emotional journey of a woman struggling with alcoholism and grief after the loss of her partner. It's a story of redemption, hope, and the power of human connection, with well-developed characters and a realistic portrayal of addiction.

The book is a deeply moving and emotional story that follows Cass, a woman who has spent years battling alcoholism alongside her partner, Ben. After Ben's death, Cass finds herself pregnant and alone, forcing her to confront her addiction and seek help from Ben's brother, Scott. The narrative is a powerful exploration of grief, loss, and the struggle for sobriety, with Cass's journey being both heartbreaking and inspiring. The author does an excellent job of portraying the complexities of addiction and the emotional turmoil of the characters. The supporting characters, such as Laurel and Kate, add depth to the story, highlighting the interconnectedness of people's lives and the impact of addiction on those around them. The book is not just about the challenges of sobriety but also about the possibility of redemption and the healing power of love and support. It's a story that will stay with readers long after they've turned the last page.

Quick quotes

    This is a beautiful, emotional story about embracing your vulnerability and the possibility of a future when you never thought there was one.

    Cass's journey affected me on an unexpected emotional level. To say I felt invested in her seems like such an understatement.

    This is not a light read but amid the heavy subject matter, there is some humor and a real sense of humanity.

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