What do you think?
Rate this book
Breaking the Silence
Laura Brandon's promise to her dying father was to visit an elderly woman she'd never heard of before. A woman who remembers nothing—except the distant past. Visiting Sarah Tolley seemed a small enough sacrifice to make.
But Laura's promise results in another death. Her husband's. And after their five-year-old daughter, Emma, witnesses her father's suicide, Emma refuses to talk about it…to talk at all.
Frantic and guilt ridden, Laura contacts the only person who may be able to help. A man she's met only once—six years before. A man who doesn't know he's Emma's real father.
Guided only by a child's silence and an old woman's fading memories, the two unravel a tale of love and despair, of bravery and unspeakable evil. A tale that's shrouded in silence…and that unbelievably links them all.
But Laura's promise results in another death. Her husband's. And after their five-year-old daughter, Emma, witnesses her father's suicide, Emma refuses to talk about it…to talk at all.
Frantic and guilt ridden, Laura contacts the only person who may be able to help. A man she's met only once—six years before. A man who doesn't know he's Emma's real father.
Guided only by a child's silence and an old woman's fading memories, the two unravel a tale of love and despair, of bravery and unspeakable evil. A tale that's shrouded in silence…and that unbelievably links them all.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Diane Chamberlain
62 books14.1k followersDiane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and (London) Sunday Times best-selling author of 28 novels. The daughter of a school principal who supplied her with a new book almost daily, Diane quickly learned the emotional power of story. Although she wrote many small “books” as a child, she didn’t seriously turn to writing fiction until her early thirties when she was waiting for a delayed doctor’s appointment with nothing more than a pad, a pen, and an idea. She was instantly hooked.
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,468 reviews
May 16, 2016
4.5 sad stars.
This one was intriguing but heartbreaking.
I have read two other books by this author and they were quite intense. I did shed a tear or two reading this one. Hit a bit close to home for me.
Don't want to say much about it. I didn't really read many reviews before starting it.
“My husband shot himself in our bedroom. When I got home, Emma was standing at the bottom of the stairs, screaming.”
Since that awful day, Laura Brandon’s little girl hasn’t uttered a word. When a psychiatrist suggests that Emma won’t talk because she’s terrified of men, Laura is guilt-ridden. To help Emma, she needs to know what unspeakable secret lies behind her husband’s suicide.
This one was intriguing but heartbreaking.
I have read two other books by this author and they were quite intense. I did shed a tear or two reading this one. Hit a bit close to home for me.
"Promise!" he said.
"I was a stranger on a train."
Don't want to say much about it. I didn't really read many reviews before starting it.
"You two are apples and oranges. Impossible to compare."
"Daddy"
March 14, 2011
I am so in love with this book. I was asked the other day what book I would pick if I could only have just one, and I think this book just might be it. It was one of those books that had me thinking afterwards. I was still making connections and asking myself questions about how one person knew another person in the past, or why somebody did what they did. This book involved so many different types of relationships and characters. I was very surprised at the amount of truth in this story. Chamberlain writes about various happenings in a fictitious hospital, such as brain washing and mind control. At the end of the story she writes that these things really did occur in the 1950s, which just floors me. This whole story involves so many different relationships. In the beginning it goes back and forth between these different relationships and people, and at this point it was hard to see that they are related. The further I got into the story though, I could see little pieces that showed how these relationships are related to one another. Everything just made sense at the end of the story. I absolutely loved this book and I have never been disappointed by Diane Chamberlain.
March 1, 2019
EXCERPT: She knew the instant she entered her father's room that he was not at peace. He was clearly worse than when she'd seen him that afternoon. His breathing was raspier, his skin greyer, and he was agitated. As he reached for her, his long arms trembling in the air, he wore a look of desperation on his once handsome face.
She took his hand and sat on the edge of the bed.
"I'm here, Dad." She guessed he had not wanted to die without her at his side and wished she'd ignored those red lights to get to the hospital sooner.
He held both her hands in his weak grasp, but even with her there the desperate look did not leave his eyes. He tried to speak, the words coming out between his gasps for air. "Should...have...told..."he said.
She leaned close to hear him. From that angle she could see the stars of Aries through the hospital window. "Don't try to speak, Dad." She smoothed a tuft of white hair away from his temple.
"A woman," he said. "You need..." Her father's face, gaunt and grey, tightened with frustration as he struggled to get the words out.
"I need to what Dad?" she asked gently.
"Look..." His lips trembled from the strain of speaking. "Look after her," he said.
Laura drew away to study his face. Could he be delusional? "Okay," she said. "I will. Please don't try to talk any more."
He let go of her hand to reach toward the night table, his arm jerking with the motion. Laura saw the scrap of paper he was aiming for and picked it up herself. Her father had written a name on the paper in a nearly illegible scrawl that threatened to break her heart.
"Sarah Tolley," Laura read. "Who is that?"
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Laura Brandon's promise to her dying father was simple: to visit an elderly woman she'd never heard of before. A woman who remembers nothing—except the distant past. Visiting Sarah Tolley seemed a small enough sacrifice to make.
But Laura's promise results in another death. Her husband's. And after their five-year-old daughter, Emma, witnesses her father's suicide, Emma refuses to talk about it…to talk at all.
Frantic and guilt ridden, Laura contacts the only person who may be able to help. A man she's met only once—six years before. A man who doesn't know he's Emma's real father.
Guided only by a child's silence and an old woman's fading memories, the two unravel a tale of love and despair, of bravery and unspeakable evil. A tale that's shrouded in silence…and that unbelievably links them all.
MY THOUGHTS: I have very mixed feelings about this book. I am immediately drawn to anything relating to mental disease, or that is set in a psychiatric facility, which this is, partly. Not that I was aware of this when I chose to read Breaking the Silence.
On one hand we have a moving tale of a daughter carrying out her father's dying wish that she look after and visit an elderly lady with dementia. On the other hand we have a story set in St Margaret's psychiatric hospital; a story of medical experimentation, bullying and government cover ups.
The story is told from two timelines, in the present with Laura, and in Sarah's past. This works well. As always with Diane Chamberlain's writing, I ran the full gamut of emotions. I was so angry at Ray for committing suicide when he was home alone with his small daughter. I cried at Emma's pain and confusion, and Sarah's. But for some reason, I found it really hard to connect with Laura - at times she was like a bull in a china shop! And Dylan, Emma's biological father? Well, he was just too good to be true.
I had issues with the 'bad guys' in the story. I have no trouble in believing that the experimentation happened, or that the doctors are sometimes madder than the patients. That I know for a fact. But I don't believe that they would have been as lenient on Sarah's family as they were, and that slightly spoiled the read for me. I guess I expected something a little harder hitting from this author.
😑😑😑
THE AUTHOR: Diane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of 26 novels published in more than twenty languages. Her most recent novel is The Dream Daughter. Some of her most popular books include Necessary Lies, The Silent Sister, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, and The Keeper of the Light Trilogy. Diane likes to write complex stories about relationships between men and women, parents and children, brothers and sisters, and friends. Although the thematic focus of her books often revolves around family, love, compassion and forgiveness, her stories usually feature a combination of drama, mystery, secrets and intrigue. Diane’s background in psychology has given her a keen interest in understanding the way people tick, as well as the background necessary to create her realistic characters.
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and spent her summers at the Jersey Shore. She also lived for many years in San Diego and northern Virginia before making North Carolina her home.
Diane received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, Diane worked in hospitals in San Diego and Washington, D.C. before opening a private psychotherapy practice in Alexandria Virginia specializing in adolescents. All the while Diane was writing on the side. Her first book, Private Relations was published in 1989 and it earned the RITA award for Best Single Title Contemporary Novel.
Diane lives with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her sheltie, Cole. She has three stepdaughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. She’s currently at work on her next novel.
DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook version of Breaking the Silence by Diane Chamberlain, narrated by Justine Eyre, published by Tantor Audio via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
She took his hand and sat on the edge of the bed.
"I'm here, Dad." She guessed he had not wanted to die without her at his side and wished she'd ignored those red lights to get to the hospital sooner.
He held both her hands in his weak grasp, but even with her there the desperate look did not leave his eyes. He tried to speak, the words coming out between his gasps for air. "Should...have...told..."he said.
She leaned close to hear him. From that angle she could see the stars of Aries through the hospital window. "Don't try to speak, Dad." She smoothed a tuft of white hair away from his temple.
"A woman," he said. "You need..." Her father's face, gaunt and grey, tightened with frustration as he struggled to get the words out.
"I need to what Dad?" she asked gently.
"Look..." His lips trembled from the strain of speaking. "Look after her," he said.
Laura drew away to study his face. Could he be delusional? "Okay," she said. "I will. Please don't try to talk any more."
He let go of her hand to reach toward the night table, his arm jerking with the motion. Laura saw the scrap of paper he was aiming for and picked it up herself. Her father had written a name on the paper in a nearly illegible scrawl that threatened to break her heart.
"Sarah Tolley," Laura read. "Who is that?"
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Laura Brandon's promise to her dying father was simple: to visit an elderly woman she'd never heard of before. A woman who remembers nothing—except the distant past. Visiting Sarah Tolley seemed a small enough sacrifice to make.
But Laura's promise results in another death. Her husband's. And after their five-year-old daughter, Emma, witnesses her father's suicide, Emma refuses to talk about it…to talk at all.
Frantic and guilt ridden, Laura contacts the only person who may be able to help. A man she's met only once—six years before. A man who doesn't know he's Emma's real father.
Guided only by a child's silence and an old woman's fading memories, the two unravel a tale of love and despair, of bravery and unspeakable evil. A tale that's shrouded in silence…and that unbelievably links them all.
MY THOUGHTS: I have very mixed feelings about this book. I am immediately drawn to anything relating to mental disease, or that is set in a psychiatric facility, which this is, partly. Not that I was aware of this when I chose to read Breaking the Silence.
On one hand we have a moving tale of a daughter carrying out her father's dying wish that she look after and visit an elderly lady with dementia. On the other hand we have a story set in St Margaret's psychiatric hospital; a story of medical experimentation, bullying and government cover ups.
The story is told from two timelines, in the present with Laura, and in Sarah's past. This works well. As always with Diane Chamberlain's writing, I ran the full gamut of emotions. I was so angry at Ray for committing suicide when he was home alone with his small daughter. I cried at Emma's pain and confusion, and Sarah's. But for some reason, I found it really hard to connect with Laura - at times she was like a bull in a china shop! And Dylan, Emma's biological father? Well, he was just too good to be true.
I had issues with the 'bad guys' in the story. I have no trouble in believing that the experimentation happened, or that the doctors are sometimes madder than the patients. That I know for a fact. But I don't believe that they would have been as lenient on Sarah's family as they were, and that slightly spoiled the read for me. I guess I expected something a little harder hitting from this author.
😑😑😑
THE AUTHOR: Diane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of 26 novels published in more than twenty languages. Her most recent novel is The Dream Daughter. Some of her most popular books include Necessary Lies, The Silent Sister, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, and The Keeper of the Light Trilogy. Diane likes to write complex stories about relationships between men and women, parents and children, brothers and sisters, and friends. Although the thematic focus of her books often revolves around family, love, compassion and forgiveness, her stories usually feature a combination of drama, mystery, secrets and intrigue. Diane’s background in psychology has given her a keen interest in understanding the way people tick, as well as the background necessary to create her realistic characters.
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and spent her summers at the Jersey Shore. She also lived for many years in San Diego and northern Virginia before making North Carolina her home.
Diane received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, Diane worked in hospitals in San Diego and Washington, D.C. before opening a private psychotherapy practice in Alexandria Virginia specializing in adolescents. All the while Diane was writing on the side. Her first book, Private Relations was published in 1989 and it earned the RITA award for Best Single Title Contemporary Novel.
Diane lives with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her sheltie, Cole. She has three stepdaughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. She’s currently at work on her next novel.
DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook version of Breaking the Silence by Diane Chamberlain, narrated by Justine Eyre, published by Tantor Audio via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 2, 2020
Whenever I want to immerse myself into a character driven book, Diane Chamberlain is my go to girl and once again she didn't disappoint.
I've really enjoyed my time with Laura and Emma, as with all Chamberlains characters I feel like I knew them inside out, that I get under all their skins and I find myself caring way to much.
Although I kind of knew where the story was going there was a few surprises which had me wide eyed.
As always a decent story from Chamberlain that swallowed both me and my time up and I don't regret a thing.
I've really enjoyed my time with Laura and Emma, as with all Chamberlains characters I feel like I knew them inside out, that I get under all their skins and I find myself caring way to much.
Although I kind of knew where the story was going there was a few surprises which had me wide eyed.
As always a decent story from Chamberlain that swallowed both me and my time up and I don't regret a thing.
September 28, 2016
I have read a few books by Diane Chamberlain and enjoyed them all, but this is my favourite so far. There are several different story lines running at the same time. A young child who is mute after going through a traumatic experience and her therapy and the worry of her mother. An old lady's fading memories of working in a psychiatric hospital during the '50s and and the awful treatment and experimentation on patients. A mother tracing the biological father of her daughter conceived after a one night stand. I know this sounds like it is very confusing but it's not, the stories are woven together very well. The book is very well researched and the memories of the former nurse are based on true events. The characters are all developed well and even though there is a bit too much tidying up at the end I think it is a solid 4 stars.
January 10, 2020
This was a very addictive read filled with so much emotion and intensity. Laura first loses her father, soon after her husband commits suicide, and since that wasn’t enough her daughter becomes selectively mute. Laura’s two main goals are helping her daughter recover from the trauma of death and fulfilling her father’ dying wish of watching out for an Alzheimer’s patient, who she has never met. Laura reconnects with her daughter’s birth father to help find a way for her daughter to heal.
Through Laura’s journey we delve into issue of grief, Alzheimer’s, mental illness and the history of unethical experimentation. The book was told from two perspectives and bounced from the 50s to the 90s. The time jumping was easy to follow and fit perfectly into the story.
I felt there was a lot of suspense, twists, and plenty of lies. This was an intriguing mystery. The characters were very well developed and it was heartbreaking to hear their stories at times.
I really enjoyed this and of course had to go and investigate the history of what I read. It was eye opening for sure.
Through Laura’s journey we delve into issue of grief, Alzheimer’s, mental illness and the history of unethical experimentation. The book was told from two perspectives and bounced from the 50s to the 90s. The time jumping was easy to follow and fit perfectly into the story.
I felt there was a lot of suspense, twists, and plenty of lies. This was an intriguing mystery. The characters were very well developed and it was heartbreaking to hear their stories at times.
I really enjoyed this and of course had to go and investigate the history of what I read. It was eye opening for sure.
September 8, 2018
Another 5 star book by Diane Chamberlain. You could tell a lot of research went into this book which makes it so great. It grabbed me from page 1 and I didn’t want to put it down.
March 22, 2013
Can you say obsessed? My obsession with reading Ms. Chamberlain's works just keeps increasing. I don't know how I made it to the age of 44 without discovering this author. I am working my way through all of her books now.
Breaking the Silence was another winner, full of wonderful twists and secrets and surprises.
I used to work with clients who had mental illness and my mind went back to those people and how I would feel if the disturbing type of treatments were performed on them. It was disturbing and interesting and I really felt for the loved ones of those patients that were described in this book.
Now, I am onto the next book and cannot wait!!
Breaking the Silence was another winner, full of wonderful twists and secrets and surprises.
I used to work with clients who had mental illness and my mind went back to those people and how I would feel if the disturbing type of treatments were performed on them. It was disturbing and interesting and I really felt for the loved ones of those patients that were described in this book.
Now, I am onto the next book and cannot wait!!
November 27, 2016
Diane Chamberlain never fails to disappointment in her writing. Her stories are a beautiful mix of mystery, suspense, romance and family-orientated saga. Although many of her books were released in the nineties, and therefore outdated in some respects, much of her work has been published again and the cover art modernised.
Laura is a world renowned astronomer, wife to Ray and mother to five year old Emma. After Ray tragically commits suicide whilst alone in the house with their daughter, Emma becomes mute. Meanwhile, some secrets are surfacing and Laura must begin to unravel the complex history of her family.
As with a lot of Chamberlain novels, this kept me guessing throughout and although I attempted to connect the dots myself, I was still surprised as I neared the end of the story.
I particularly liked the way Chamberlain was able to effortlessly glide between time periods - modern day and the 1950's. The pace of the book made this a very enjoyable reading experience. Yes, some parts of the character dialogue is cheesy - but this is perhaps what makes the authors books so pleasing. There are no false promises in her writing.
A lovely addition to any fictional works bookshelf.
Laura is a world renowned astronomer, wife to Ray and mother to five year old Emma. After Ray tragically commits suicide whilst alone in the house with their daughter, Emma becomes mute. Meanwhile, some secrets are surfacing and Laura must begin to unravel the complex history of her family.
As with a lot of Chamberlain novels, this kept me guessing throughout and although I attempted to connect the dots myself, I was still surprised as I neared the end of the story.
I particularly liked the way Chamberlain was able to effortlessly glide between time periods - modern day and the 1950's. The pace of the book made this a very enjoyable reading experience. Yes, some parts of the character dialogue is cheesy - but this is perhaps what makes the authors books so pleasing. There are no false promises in her writing.
A lovely addition to any fictional works bookshelf.
April 16, 2017
so far I have enjoyed all of chamberlain's books, some more than others - she definitely writes a great contemporary female thriller, with a small side of romance! Breaking the silence was one of those books I really liked, but I can't quite give it 4 stars. There are books that I LOVE that only get 4 stars from me...so we gotta go 3.75** Definitely a quick build up of suspense and quite a cast of characters that need to all come together at some point - I honestly had no idea how it was going to work out!! I think the lower rating is result of me enjoying these characters - but not really loving and siding up with any 1 in particular!
The book really touches on struggles with death, suicide, alzheimer's, child trauma, and air balloon rides!! Also, the quite surprising 1950's hospital doctor who specializes in brainwashing and lobotomies!! That whole issue really floored me - and to read at the end that it was a real scenario and program - yikes!!!! Definitely pick this up for a solid good read!
The book really touches on struggles with death, suicide, alzheimer's, child trauma, and air balloon rides!! Also, the quite surprising 1950's hospital doctor who specializes in brainwashing and lobotomies!! That whole issue really floored me - and to read at the end that it was a real scenario and program - yikes!!!! Definitely pick this up for a solid good read!
May 31, 2020
Man patinka jausmas, kai pasiimi knyga į rankas ir atsipekėji tik ties paskutiniu skyriumi. Taip nutiko ir su šiuo romanu. Pritariu tiems, kas man ją rekomendavo.
Loros tėtis mirdamas paprašo pasirūpinti senute Sara, kuri serga Alzheimerio liga ir neturi artimųjų. Loros vyras Rėjus visai nepatenkintas šiuo sumanymu, o dar jį kankina depresija. Netrukus Rėjus nusižudo, o Loros penkiametė dukrelė nustoja šnekėti. Tai tik įvykių pradžia... Sara pasakoja savo gyvenimo istoriją ir kartu rutuliojasi pačios Loros gyvenimas. Į dienos šviesą kyla ilgus metus saugotos paslaptys.
Be įdomios istorijos rašytoja palietė ir motiniškos meilės temą. Kiek motina gali aukoti dėl savo vaiko. Patiko ir Loros pamąstymai apie tai, kaip derinti karjerą ir motinystę. Džiaugiuosi, kad ji suvokė, jog visų pirma pati turi būti laiminga, kad būtų laiminga jos dukrelė.
Negaliu nustoti žavėtis Chamberlain mokėjimu susukti istoriją taip, kad puslapiai verstųsi savaime. Istorija nenuspėjama, šilta ir jautri. Visi veikėjai įdomūs, labai žemiški ir paprasti. Skaitant galvoje sukau kino filmą apie šią istoriją.
Loros tėtis mirdamas paprašo pasirūpinti senute Sara, kuri serga Alzheimerio liga ir neturi artimųjų. Loros vyras Rėjus visai nepatenkintas šiuo sumanymu, o dar jį kankina depresija. Netrukus Rėjus nusižudo, o Loros penkiametė dukrelė nustoja šnekėti. Tai tik įvykių pradžia... Sara pasakoja savo gyvenimo istoriją ir kartu rutuliojasi pačios Loros gyvenimas. Į dienos šviesą kyla ilgus metus saugotos paslaptys.
Be įdomios istorijos rašytoja palietė ir motiniškos meilės temą. Kiek motina gali aukoti dėl savo vaiko. Patiko ir Loros pamąstymai apie tai, kaip derinti karjerą ir motinystę. Džiaugiuosi, kad ji suvokė, jog visų pirma pati turi būti laiminga, kad būtų laiminga jos dukrelė.
Negaliu nustoti žavėtis Chamberlain mokėjimu susukti istoriją taip, kad puslapiai verstųsi savaime. Istorija nenuspėjama, šilta ir jautri. Visi veikėjai įdomūs, labai žemiški ir paprasti. Skaitant galvoje sukau kino filmą apie šią istoriją.
February 2, 2023
O majtko i córko, co ja tu dostałam? Spodziewałam się czegoś zupełnie innego, ale zupełnie zapomniałam, że każda książka Chamberlain zabiera mnie w zupełnie inne miejsce! No i dałam się zaskoczyć, oczarować i przecierałam oczy ze zdumienia. No bo cz ja się tutaj spodziewałam tajemnic z przeszłości? Jak najbardziej. Problemu, który będzie dotyczył dziecka/rodziny? Tak. Tajemnicy tak skomplikowanej, że w żaden sposób nie połączę kropek? Tak, ale nie takiej. Tajemnicy rządowej, prześladowań, kłamstw, zmiany tożsamości? Nigdy w życiu! I dlatego tak bardzo lubię ta autorkę i już się nie mogę doczekać kolejnej książki! Zwłaszcza, że ta okładka jest taka niepozorna.
April 21, 2023
3,5/5
Po sunkoko D. Lorenso romano „Mylinčios moterys“ norėjosi kažko lengvesnio, tad pasirinkau šią knygą, tuo labiau, kad iš D. Chamberlain kūrybos nieko nebuvau skaitęs, nors pastebėjau, kad jos romanai vertinami ne tik gerai, bet kartais ir puikiai. Neapsirikau – knyga skaitėsi lengvai ir greitai, nes nei filosofinių, nei psichologinių gelmių joje nėra. Šiek tiek erzino tai, kad tekstas nėra tobulas, o ir romano struktūra nelabai išradinga.
Knyga sukelia daug emocijų, intrigos – neabejotinai dėl to ir tie labai geri vertinimai. Reikia ir tokių knygų, tad nesigailiu jai skirto laiko. Pailsėjau. Pailsėsite ir jūs, jei paimsite po sunkaus darbo, o ir laisvalaikiu (pvz., kurorte ar kelionėje) nenuobodžiausite. Vis dėlto pasaulinės literatūros kontekste ją galiu vertinti tik 7 balais. Kodėl? Kadangi knyga ne fantastinės literatūros žanro, joje stipriai pasigedau įtikinamumo ir logikos. O pabaigoje apėmė toks jausmas, tarsi būčiau paragavęs kažko stipriai persaldinto.
P.S. Jeigu romaną būtų parašiusi ne JAV rašytoja, tai toks psichiatrinės ligoninės, kur nusikalstamai eksperimentuojama su ligoniais, vaizdavimas tikrai atrodytų kaip didžiulė nepagarba tai šaliai. Dabar – savikritiškumas ir objektyvumas.
Po sunkoko D. Lorenso romano „Mylinčios moterys“ norėjosi kažko lengvesnio, tad pasirinkau šią knygą, tuo labiau, kad iš D. Chamberlain kūrybos nieko nebuvau skaitęs, nors pastebėjau, kad jos romanai vertinami ne tik gerai, bet kartais ir puikiai. Neapsirikau – knyga skaitėsi lengvai ir greitai, nes nei filosofinių, nei psichologinių gelmių joje nėra. Šiek tiek erzino tai, kad tekstas nėra tobulas, o ir romano struktūra nelabai išradinga.
Knyga sukelia daug emocijų, intrigos – neabejotinai dėl to ir tie labai geri vertinimai. Reikia ir tokių knygų, tad nesigailiu jai skirto laiko. Pailsėjau. Pailsėsite ir jūs, jei paimsite po sunkaus darbo, o ir laisvalaikiu (pvz., kurorte ar kelionėje) nenuobodžiausite. Vis dėlto pasaulinės literatūros kontekste ją galiu vertinti tik 7 balais. Kodėl? Kadangi knyga ne fantastinės literatūros žanro, joje stipriai pasigedau įtikinamumo ir logikos. O pabaigoje apėmė toks jausmas, tarsi būčiau paragavęs kažko stipriai persaldinto.
P.S. Jeigu romaną būtų parašiusi ne JAV rašytoja, tai toks psichiatrinės ligoninės, kur nusikalstamai eksperimentuojama su ligoniais, vaizdavimas tikrai atrodytų kaip didžiulė nepagarba tai šaliai. Dabar – savikritiškumas ir objektyvumas.
December 30, 2019
Breaking the silence by Diane Chamberlain
3 out of 5 ⭐️
Chamberlain is such a talented and prolific writer. Out of the 4 books of hers I’ve read I absolutely loved 2, but I found this 1, and 1 other, a bit cloying and rather too convenient in the way the plot plays out.
Regardless, her books are such easy reads and the prose has a way of sucking you straight in. Topics are always noteworthy, relevant and there is often something distressing at play, but I felt that with Breaking the Silence, there were too many unrealistic moments and I was left wanting. This was something I was mostly able to overlook, but the love story component was half baked.
That being said, the story makes for a good read, it’s a gripping page turner, albeit a bit predictable. Chamberlain’s story centers around a child with selective mutism and touches on topics of honesty and of motherhood. She exposes the psychiatric procedure of Psychic driving used during the 50s & 60’s. It was ultimately a precursor to the CIA funded attempts at mastering ‘mind altering’ - code name Project MK-Ultra, with a view to use the procedure to force a subject’s confession during CIA led interrogations.
Most shockingly, of course, is that in essence this was barbaric experimentation on unwitting human subjects, but I found that I didn’t feel the weight of this atrocity, until I conducted my own google hunt into Psychic driving after I’d completed the book. And so, in this way, for me, Breaking the silence falls somewhat short of the mark, but it’s still a good quick easy read that I can’t say I didn’t enjoy.
3 out of 5 ⭐️
Chamberlain is such a talented and prolific writer. Out of the 4 books of hers I’ve read I absolutely loved 2, but I found this 1, and 1 other, a bit cloying and rather too convenient in the way the plot plays out.
Regardless, her books are such easy reads and the prose has a way of sucking you straight in. Topics are always noteworthy, relevant and there is often something distressing at play, but I felt that with Breaking the Silence, there were too many unrealistic moments and I was left wanting. This was something I was mostly able to overlook, but the love story component was half baked.
That being said, the story makes for a good read, it’s a gripping page turner, albeit a bit predictable. Chamberlain’s story centers around a child with selective mutism and touches on topics of honesty and of motherhood. She exposes the psychiatric procedure of Psychic driving used during the 50s & 60’s. It was ultimately a precursor to the CIA funded attempts at mastering ‘mind altering’ - code name Project MK-Ultra, with a view to use the procedure to force a subject’s confession during CIA led interrogations.
Most shockingly, of course, is that in essence this was barbaric experimentation on unwitting human subjects, but I found that I didn’t feel the weight of this atrocity, until I conducted my own google hunt into Psychic driving after I’d completed the book. And so, in this way, for me, Breaking the silence falls somewhat short of the mark, but it’s still a good quick easy read that I can’t say I didn’t enjoy.
April 20, 2020
Pirmoji pažintis su šia nuostabia rašytoja🖤 “Nutraukta tyla” istorija prasidėjo gana žiauriai: pagrindinė herojė Lora, ištekėjusi už daug vyresnio vyro Rėjaus ir auginanti penkiametę Emą, mirštančiam tėvui duoda pažadą rūpintis moterimi, gyvenančia senelių namuose, apie kurią niekada nebuvo girdėjusi. Nepaklausiusi vyro prašymų nelankyti tėvo minėtos moters Saros, sergančios Alzhaimeriu, grįžusi iš senelių namų randa nusišovusį vyrą ir klykiančią dukrą, kuri buvo savižudybės liudininkė ir po šio įvykio nustojo kalbėti.
Pradžia labai užkabino, bet kuo toliau, tuo darėsi įdomiau. Nepatikėjau, kad Rėjus nusižudė tik dėl depresijos ir su nekantrumu skaičiau ir spėliojau, ką reiškia tam tikri įvykiai ir herojų poelgiai.
Knygoje aprašoma ne tik Loros istorija, bet ir Saros. Jos prisiminimai iš darbo psichiatrinėje ligoninėje buvo be galo įdomūs. Iš pradžių skaičiau nieko blogo neįtardama, tačiau įvykiai labai greitai pasisuko pavojinga linkme ir skaičiau net sulaikiusi kvapą, tikėdamasi, kad tai, ką numanau greit įvyksiant, neišsipildys... Vat tokia ta pažintis su šia rašytoja. Lentynoje laukia dar jos išgirtoji “Pribuvėjos išpažintis”, kuri manau ne ką mažiau patiks.
Pradžia labai užkabino, bet kuo toliau, tuo darėsi įdomiau. Nepatikėjau, kad Rėjus nusižudė tik dėl depresijos ir su nekantrumu skaičiau ir spėliojau, ką reiškia tam tikri įvykiai ir herojų poelgiai.
Knygoje aprašoma ne tik Loros istorija, bet ir Saros. Jos prisiminimai iš darbo psichiatrinėje ligoninėje buvo be galo įdomūs. Iš pradžių skaičiau nieko blogo neįtardama, tačiau įvykiai labai greitai pasisuko pavojinga linkme ir skaičiau net sulaikiusi kvapą, tikėdamasi, kad tai, ką numanau greit įvyksiant, neišsipildys... Vat tokia ta pažintis su šia rašytoja. Lentynoje laukia dar jos išgirtoji “Pribuvėjos išpažintis”, kuri manau ne ką mažiau patiks.
February 3, 2022
Įsimintiniausia Diane Chamberlain perskaityta knyga ❤️
September 29, 2021
Lora Brendon - garsi astronomė, ištekėjusi už vyro, kuris už ją vyresnis net 21 metais, bei auginanti penkerių metų dukrytę Emą. Moters tėvui būnant mirties patale, šis paprašo Loros pažadėti, kad ji būtinai aplankys slaugos namuose gyvenančią senyvą moterį, Sarą. Išgirdęs tokį prašymą, Loros sutuoktinis nejuokais įsiunta ir liepia žmonai vyti iš galvos mintis apie tą moterį. Tačiau Lora jam nepaklūsta ir nuvyksta aplankyti Saros. Grįžusi namo, Lora išvysta klykiančią dukrą bei nusišovusį vyrą. Prabėgus aštuoniems mėnesiams, Ema vis dar tyli ir neprataria nė žodžio, o Saros pasakojimai apie praeitį vis labiau šokiruoja Lorą...
Praeitais metais skaičiau kitą šios autorės knygą „Vasaros vaikas“ ir ji man paliko tik vidutinį įspūdį, tačiau vis dėlto nusprendžiau rašytojai suteikti antrą šansą bei tikėjausi, jog šitas kūrinys gali būti žymiai stipresnis - neklydau. Tikrai nesigailiu dėl šio savo sprendimo, kadangi knyga „Nutraukta tyla“ įtraukė nuo pat pirmosios pastraipos, o puslapiai tiesiog tirpte tirpo.
„Nutraukta tyla“ - romanas, tačiau pagardintas žiupsneliu detektyvo, o gal net trilerio prieskoniu. Knygoje rutuliojasi šios temos: šeimos paslaptys, nuslėptos prieš daugelį metų, vienos nakties nuotykis, kuris ne visada būna be pasekmių, sutuoktinio slepiama tiesa nuo savo žmonos ir tai, kad ne visada žmogus yra toks, koks gali atrodyti. Tai istorija, nešanti jautrumo, gerumo, atlaidumo ir meilės žinutę. Šioje knygoje yra ir geriečių, ir blogiečių veikėjų, tačiau tie blogiečiai, pasirodo, savo nuodėmes supranta ir bando jas išpirkti (aišku, ne visi), net jei ir nevisiškai nuoširdžiai. Manau, kad kiekvieno žmogaus širdyje yra tas krislelis gerumo, kuris anksčiau ar vėliau pabunda, o gal paprasčiausiai užgraužia sąžinė.
Saros praeities istorijos man pasirodė labai žiaurios ir sukrečiančios, tačiau būtent jos pridavė knygai tą didžiulį bei įspūdingą efektą. Na, o Emos nekalbėjimas parodė tai, kad kartais mes patys kaltiname save už tai, dėl ko taip neturėtume jaustis, nes nesame kalti.
Rekomenduoju visiems, kam patinka istorijos, kurių siužetas vystosi dvejomis laiko linijomis, o didžiausius jausmus sukelia pati knygos atomazga! Šis kūrinys tikrai vertas dėmesio, tad neabejoju, jog skaitysiu ir kitas Chamberlain knygas, nes ši rašytoja sugebėjo pakerėti mano širdį ir jaučiu, kad, bent jau kai kuriuose jos kūriniuose, galiu atrasti savąjį „arkliuką“.
5/5⭐
Praeitais metais skaičiau kitą šios autorės knygą „Vasaros vaikas“ ir ji man paliko tik vidutinį įspūdį, tačiau vis dėlto nusprendžiau rašytojai suteikti antrą šansą bei tikėjausi, jog šitas kūrinys gali būti žymiai stipresnis - neklydau. Tikrai nesigailiu dėl šio savo sprendimo, kadangi knyga „Nutraukta tyla“ įtraukė nuo pat pirmosios pastraipos, o puslapiai tiesiog tirpte tirpo.
„Nutraukta tyla“ - romanas, tačiau pagardintas žiupsneliu detektyvo, o gal net trilerio prieskoniu. Knygoje rutuliojasi šios temos: šeimos paslaptys, nuslėptos prieš daugelį metų, vienos nakties nuotykis, kuris ne visada būna be pasekmių, sutuoktinio slepiama tiesa nuo savo žmonos ir tai, kad ne visada žmogus yra toks, koks gali atrodyti. Tai istorija, nešanti jautrumo, gerumo, atlaidumo ir meilės žinutę. Šioje knygoje yra ir geriečių, ir blogiečių veikėjų, tačiau tie blogiečiai, pasirodo, savo nuodėmes supranta ir bando jas išpirkti (aišku, ne visi), net jei ir nevisiškai nuoširdžiai. Manau, kad kiekvieno žmogaus širdyje yra tas krislelis gerumo, kuris anksčiau ar vėliau pabunda, o gal paprasčiausiai užgraužia sąžinė.
Saros praeities istorijos man pasirodė labai žiaurios ir sukrečiančios, tačiau būtent jos pridavė knygai tą didžiulį bei įspūdingą efektą. Na, o Emos nekalbėjimas parodė tai, kad kartais mes patys kaltiname save už tai, dėl ko taip neturėtume jaustis, nes nesame kalti.
Rekomenduoju visiems, kam patinka istorijos, kurių siužetas vystosi dvejomis laiko linijomis, o didžiausius jausmus sukelia pati knygos atomazga! Šis kūrinys tikrai vertas dėmesio, tad neabejoju, jog skaitysiu ir kitas Chamberlain knygas, nes ši rašytoja sugebėjo pakerėti mano širdį ir jaučiu, kad, bent jau kai kuriuose jos kūriniuose, galiu atrasti savąjį „arkliuką“.
5/5⭐
November 11, 2013
I've read a number of Diane Chamberlain's books, and I tend to find them pretty enjoyable. They're the literary equivalent of a good made-for-TV movie--the characters pull you in, the story moves quickly, and you can just kind of relax and go along for the ride. They're easy to immerse yourself in, and good for the days you want some light entertainment.
This one had an interesting premise--right before Laura's father dies, he makes her promise that she'll take care of an old woman suffering from Alzheimer's who she never met before. When she visits the woman, she has to piece together the story fragments she tells in order to find the link between them. Complicating matters, though, is that Laura's husband recently killed himself in front of her 5-year-old daughter, rendering her mute. So the story goes back and forth between visits with the old woman, Sarah (during which she tells her story in flashbacks) and her current-day struggles to get her daughter to speak. Add to that the re-entry of her daughter's birth father to the picture, and Laura's got a pretty full slate.
Sarah's flashbacks were by far the strength of this story, so much so that I'd love to read an entire book about her experiences as a psychiatric nurse in a push-the-boundaries mental hospital in the 1950s. However, they made the current day parts kind of pale in comparison, and I found myself hoping that they'd be over soon so we could get back to Sarah's story. Plus, the addition of the love interest didn't really sit well with me--this guy made the biggest 180-turnaround I think I've ever seen in a book, which made the whole think not so believable and a bit corny.
Still, despite those small issues I had, I still think this was a pleasant read, and I'll definitely try Chamberlain again.
This one had an interesting premise--right before Laura's father dies, he makes her promise that she'll take care of an old woman suffering from Alzheimer's who she never met before. When she visits the woman, she has to piece together the story fragments she tells in order to find the link between them. Complicating matters, though, is that Laura's husband recently killed himself in front of her 5-year-old daughter, rendering her mute. So the story goes back and forth between visits with the old woman, Sarah (during which she tells her story in flashbacks) and her current-day struggles to get her daughter to speak. Add to that the re-entry of her daughter's birth father to the picture, and Laura's got a pretty full slate.
Sarah's flashbacks were by far the strength of this story, so much so that I'd love to read an entire book about her experiences as a psychiatric nurse in a push-the-boundaries mental hospital in the 1950s. However, they made the current day parts kind of pale in comparison, and I found myself hoping that they'd be over soon so we could get back to Sarah's story. Plus, the addition of the love interest didn't really sit well with me--this guy made the biggest 180-turnaround I think I've ever seen in a book, which made the whole think not so believable and a bit corny.
Still, despite those small issues I had, I still think this was a pleasant read, and I'll definitely try Chamberlain again.
March 23, 2010
Rather far-fetched and a little too "happily ever after, everything tied up in a neat litle bow" for my taste, told in well-written if generic prose, this novel nevertheless was a fast and entertaining read. An excellent "beach book", or perfect for when you want to take a break to read something light. I'm not terribly fond of children or books with children as main characters, but Ms. Chamberlain graciously refrained from making 5 year old Emma overly cutesy and precocious. Of course, it probably doesn't hurt that Emma was silent for nearly the entire book. The characters of Sarah and Laura are finely drawn and their stories are interesting. Dylan is less so, a muted and sensitized-for-the-21st-century version of your typical Romance novel male lead, with the usual Painful Past that holds his heart prisoner until The Right Woman comes along. Or in this case The Right Woman and Child. You can see this one coming from a mile away--or can you?? Ms. Chamberlain managed to avoid some of the stinkier Cheese--wel done!
I'm not a complete Book Snob; I enjoy Escapist Lit as much as the next Chick, and, given that the two books I've thus far read by this author have been completely different from eachother, unlike certain other more formulaic writers, I plan to read more of her work in the not-too-distant future. My, that was a long sentence.
I'm not a complete Book Snob; I enjoy Escapist Lit as much as the next Chick, and, given that the two books I've thus far read by this author have been completely different from eachother, unlike certain other more formulaic writers, I plan to read more of her work in the not-too-distant future. My, that was a long sentence.
September 13, 2019
Knyga, kuri pas mane atkeliavo visai netyčia, iš tolimosios Norvegijos. Vėliau tapo ta, kurią nenoromis skolinau visoms draugėms iš eilės. Bijodama, kad nutūps kažkieno lentynoje ir į maniškę nebegrįš. Žinot tą jausmą, kai perskaitai labai gerą knygą ir viduje tūno tas keistas neapsisprendimas? Viena pusė, nori, kad kuo daugiau žmonių ją perskaitytų. Kita tuo metu liepia ją palikti tik sau, kaip mažą nuodėmę, kuria gali mėgautis tik pats. Bet čia turbūt tik mano vienos knygų egoizmas 😁 ⠀
⠀
Mirštantis tėvas Lorai išreikškia savo paskutinį norą - vyriškis prašo dukters aplankyti slaugos namuose gyvenančią senyvą moterį.⠀
Apie tai Lora užsimena savo vyrui, tačiau jis tam kategoriškai nepritaria. Vis dėlto ji aplanko nepažystamą moterį. Grįžusi iš susitikimo namuose randa savo vyrą nusišovusį, o dukrą klykiančią iš baimės. Nuo tos dienos dukra nebeprataria nei žodžio. Po tragedijos prabėgus kuriam laikui, Lora ir vėl nuspręndžia aplankyti senolę. Tarp jų užsimezga draugystė ir moteris atsiverdama pradeda pasakoti siaubingą savo gyvenimo istoriją, kuri ne tik pateiks daug atsakymų, bet ir užduos galybę naujų klausimų. Lorai tenka išsiaiškinti, kas yra Sara? Kaip padėti prabilti dukrai? Kodėl nusižudė vyras? ⠀
⠀
Istorija įtraukė nuo pat pirmo skyriaus, skaičiau ją važiuodama į paskaitas, šeimynai sumigus ir prie pietų stalo. Autorė meistriškai vyniojo dvi siužetines linijas - dabarties ir tą, nuo kurios viskas prasidėjo. Tai ne ta knyga, kai iki paskutinio puslapio neaišku, kas ir kaip, bet intrigą autorė sugebėjo išlaikyti visai neblogai. Viena iš knygų, kurias tikrai skaitysiu dar kartą 📖
⠀
Mirštantis tėvas Lorai išreikškia savo paskutinį norą - vyriškis prašo dukters aplankyti slaugos namuose gyvenančią senyvą moterį.⠀
Apie tai Lora užsimena savo vyrui, tačiau jis tam kategoriškai nepritaria. Vis dėlto ji aplanko nepažystamą moterį. Grįžusi iš susitikimo namuose randa savo vyrą nusišovusį, o dukrą klykiančią iš baimės. Nuo tos dienos dukra nebeprataria nei žodžio. Po tragedijos prabėgus kuriam laikui, Lora ir vėl nuspręndžia aplankyti senolę. Tarp jų užsimezga draugystė ir moteris atsiverdama pradeda pasakoti siaubingą savo gyvenimo istoriją, kuri ne tik pateiks daug atsakymų, bet ir užduos galybę naujų klausimų. Lorai tenka išsiaiškinti, kas yra Sara? Kaip padėti prabilti dukrai? Kodėl nusižudė vyras? ⠀
⠀
Istorija įtraukė nuo pat pirmo skyriaus, skaičiau ją važiuodama į paskaitas, šeimynai sumigus ir prie pietų stalo. Autorė meistriškai vyniojo dvi siužetines linijas - dabarties ir tą, nuo kurios viskas prasidėjo. Tai ne ta knyga, kai iki paskutinio puslapio neaišku, kas ir kaip, bet intrigą autorė sugebėjo išlaikyti visai neblogai. Viena iš knygų, kurias tikrai skaitysiu dar kartą 📖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2020
Solid but predictable mystery..., January 28, 2010
After reading a few of Diana Chamberlain's more recent novels, including my favorite, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, I could tell immediately when I started this one that I was reading one of her earlier books. That's not to say that this novel isn't good, it is -- but it is a fairly predictable story and the revelations at the end come as no surprise to any mystery reader. There are multiple things going on in the book but all eventually comes together to wrap up the various pieces. It's a story of family relationships including great love and loss and getting answers.
I enjoyed the book well enough -- it's fast paced and the narrative draws the reader in with the topic -- torture and experimentation on patients at psychiatric facilities circa 1950s. It's hard to believe that many of those "treatments" were allowed and even encouraged!
In another note, however, I must say that the sudden muteness experienced by the child, Emma, in the book was never fully explained and then mysteriously disappeared. I'm assuming it was some sort of traumatic guilt-like reaction.
All in all, this is an easy read, an early work by an author who has since become more accomplished!
After reading a few of Diana Chamberlain's more recent novels, including my favorite, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, I could tell immediately when I started this one that I was reading one of her earlier books. That's not to say that this novel isn't good, it is -- but it is a fairly predictable story and the revelations at the end come as no surprise to any mystery reader. There are multiple things going on in the book but all eventually comes together to wrap up the various pieces. It's a story of family relationships including great love and loss and getting answers.
I enjoyed the book well enough -- it's fast paced and the narrative draws the reader in with the topic -- torture and experimentation on patients at psychiatric facilities circa 1950s. It's hard to believe that many of those "treatments" were allowed and even encouraged!
In another note, however, I must say that the sudden muteness experienced by the child, Emma, in the book was never fully explained and then mysteriously disappeared. I'm assuming it was some sort of traumatic guilt-like reaction.
All in all, this is an easy read, an early work by an author who has since become more accomplished!
November 17, 2017
I LOVED this book. It starts off grabbing you immediately and I just figured the interest would wan in the middle somewhere. But that never happened and it held my interest throughout. It covered many interesting fields including psychiatry. In the 1950's some psychiatrists were experimenting with various drugs as well as doing lobotomies. They also were using headphones with tapes as some form of brainwashing. All of this I found very interesting. One character was a nurse in this type of hospital and she questioned their procedures which resulted in being threatened and watched over. It had it's suspense and and unsuspecting conclusion. What more can I say, I really loved it.
August 29, 2021
You know those books where you keep waiting for something to happen, and it just doesn’t? Well, this was NOT that book! It seemed a bit slow paced for me for the first 3/4, but now I know, the author was just sitting me up for a wild ride at the end…this book had so many unexpected twists, it felt like a psych thriller in some regards. It was very good, with a bit of psych history thrown in there as well. 8.75/10.
July 19, 2015
Wow! Wow! This is going to be another favorite for me. The suspense, the love, the confusion, the heartache and heartwarming feel of it. I can't wait to discuss this one at book group. Diane has a style of writing that is effortless but at the same time gives so much power and emotion. What a story!!
May 16, 2020
Laura's dying father is on his deathbed when he begs her to take care of Sarah, an unknown woman in a nursing home. Laura is confused, but grants him his dying wish. Upon investigation, Laura discovers the woman has alzheimers and only remembers things from long ago. Who is she? What's her story? How does she connect with Laura's father? Laura's husband pleads with her to stay away from the woman . . . and when she refuses, she comes home to find her husband has committed suicide leaving her young daughter alone in the house with his body. Little Emma refuses to speak again.
Breaking the Silence is a tightly plotted mystery suspense story that is absolutely captivating. The tension and mystery grows from chapter to chapter. Through Sarah, readers learn about the abuse and horrors that occurred in psychiatric facilities in the past. The author skillfully weaves her story with Laura's present day dilemma of solving the mystery surrounding everything. While I figured one aspect of this mystery out, I was in no way prepared for the shocking reveals that occur near the end. I have fallen in love with this author's writing style and storytelling abilities and am working my way through her catalog of work. Highly recommended!
Breaking the Silence is a tightly plotted mystery suspense story that is absolutely captivating. The tension and mystery grows from chapter to chapter. Through Sarah, readers learn about the abuse and horrors that occurred in psychiatric facilities in the past. The author skillfully weaves her story with Laura's present day dilemma of solving the mystery surrounding everything. While I figured one aspect of this mystery out, I was in no way prepared for the shocking reveals that occur near the end. I have fallen in love with this author's writing style and storytelling abilities and am working my way through her catalog of work. Highly recommended!
August 14, 2021
I had read another of Chamberlain’s books and liked It so I thought I would try another. I get it now… The books mainly have a romantic flavour. I quite enjoyed this one which had a number of twists and turns and some intrigue. A little too much of the ‘emotional’ romantic overtones for me but I can imagine for the right audience Chamberlain is a strong attraction.
June 17, 2020
4.5 stars. Another great book by Diane Chamberlain. Really intriguing story that kept me wanting more, with an ending I wouldn’t have guessed.
November 11, 2019
Another fantastic book by Diane Chamberlain. She writes in such a way that you feel like you know the characters. There are so many side stories and that are all weaved together perfectly.
June 11, 2011
Cute book, nice drama, complicated situation. Really liked that the characters are not perfect, act in questionable ways (Laura confronting Dylan, Laura's father keeping such secrets), feel remorse for it, get hurt. Chamberlain has a gift for making an outlandish situation come realistically to life. Liked the Dylan character and the psychiatrist. I did not see the last twist coming, thought it was a bit too much. I hated the book cover, it was this garish red and gold affair with an antebellum mansion in the middle, it couldn't have been farther from the plot, whats wrong with a little girl on the cover?
July 8, 2013
My opinion of this book seems to differ from most of the reviews I've read. I thought I had read this book before but couldn't remember the ending. Now I know why. For me, the ending was just unbelievable. There were parts of this book that were endearing and very interesting and the storyline was genius, but the conclusion just didn't work for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,468 reviews