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The Silent Land (2010)

by Graham Joyce(Favorite Author)
3.6 of 5 Votes: 1
ISBN
0385533802 (ISBN13: 9780385533805)
languge
English
genre
publisher
Doubleday
review 1: This book was amazing. The idea was outrageously creative, the writing superb, and I could not stop turning the pages. Jake and Zoe Bennett are on a ski vacation in the Pyranees when an avalanche knocks them both into seemingly a different world. It takes them some time to realize that no one else is in the small village where they are staying and they are completely alone. Also, they can't seem to leave the village--even when they think they are on their way out, something turns them right back around. The silent ski resort because something of a playground for them and a dog that shows up and for awhile, it's a kind of Paradise; however eventually they have to come to terms with the frightening possibilities of what has happened to them. Honestly I'm terrible at seeing t... morehings coming so I was really in the dark until my dad was like, "Hey, maybe they're dead." He was almost right. The reason I gave this only four stars was mainly because the sudden end of the book confused me and broke the spell the rest of the book had cast over me. I liked the Purgatory idea and I thought the tarot cards, the crows, the cell phone, and the men smoking were perfect, but the thing with the Christmas tree threw me off. Also, was it necessary that Jake die? I guess something had to happen to end the book and get Zoe back into the real world, but I found it an unnecessary and depressing end to the story. Even so, The Silent Land by Graham Joyce is well worth reading.
review 2: This is a story about the in-between. And it's about the power of love. Zoe & Jake go away skiing for their 10th anniversary. On a very early morning run they are shocked when an avalanche begins to tumble down around them. This is a short little tale, under 300 pages. Midway, I began to become annoyed at the repetition, by the end of the story, I could see that it is necessary. Somewhat predictable, just OK, not the greatest read. A few memorable lines/quotes along the way. All in all, if you don't get to this one, tears need not be shed. less
Reviews (see all)
vioros
Not perfect but very good. Sad, scary, affecting. Philip Pullman meets Stephen King meets Ali Smith.
Rainbowunicorn
Great stuff, though it's possible some readers will not be happy.
allyrocks511
Eerie and mysterious, a quick read
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