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The Quality of Silence cover art

The Quality of Silence

By: Rosamund Lupton
Narrated by: Rachel Atkins, Harriet Carmichael
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Summary

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

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)

What listeners say about The Quality of Silence

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Fantastic start but ludicrous storyline

Any additional comments?

I loved Rosamund Lupton's two previous books and was enthralled by this one for the first third of the novel. She writes with such imagination, beautiful prose and emotion that it is almost impossible to dislike but...the story line in this novel is so far fetched that it reaches the realms of silliness. There is also a strong sense of being preached at about the wonders of Alaska and the damning consequences of fracking which becomes boring after a while. This had the potential to be another wonderful and innovative book if it had stayed just a touch nearer to reality.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An interesting story spoilt by annoying narration

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

Probably not. I don't seem to be able to get the audio sample to play. If I had been able to I probably wouldn't have bought it. Really spoilt the book for me & would rather have read it in print.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • T
  • 20-07-15

Unusual and enjoyable despite patchy narration

The Quality of Silence is beautiful in bringing some unfamiliar worlds to life - the world of the deaf daughter and the stark but stunning world of winter in northern Alaska. The plot itself held few surprises but was well-paced, so it held my attention and kept me listening with as few breaks as possible. The pacing also helped me get over my irritation with the narration of the girl's voice (and the primary narrator is fine). Lupton writes with intelligence and feeling and has real insight into deafness from her own life. If you liked her other books on audible then I think you will easily forgive the dodgy element of the narration and thoroughly enjoy this book.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Author 3 - 0 Narrator

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.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Brilliant story until the most ridiculous ending!

Compelling story, a real page turner, until the last chapter where the story becomes ridiculously implausible and spoils a good book. I didn't like the narration of Ruby, the child, to begin with, but I became accustomed to her.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Stunningly beautiful!

Completely enthralling to the last. The beauty and ugliness will stay. Brilliantly written and narrated.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a brilliant story

a brilliant story which keeps you captivated would recommend this book, actually already have to my bookworm sister

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Poor

Didn't like the narration or the story line. Very tedious listening to the girl talking

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another great story by Rosamund Lupton

What made the experience of listening to The Quality of Silence the most enjoyable?

The narration was excellent. Really enjoyed the voices.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Quality of Silence?

The twitter account

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - I enjoyed having it over a number of days of commuting.

Any additional comments?

Loved Rosamund Lupton's first two books (Sister and Afterwards.) I don't think I enjoyed this one as much as either of those, but I did think the characters were very well developed, and I loved the twitter account entries.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Why negative comments?

Having read through some of the other comments I would like others to keep going and not to give up.
I did not like the voice of Ruby at first, however if you stay with it she becomes true and her voice seems to match her well.

The story telling is great and Rosamund's research into the facts incorporated fascinatingly real.
I like the narrative and how it unfolds, gripping detail as well as unfolding storyline.

I think it is a great book.

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2 people found this helpful