Review of The Silent Children
Posted: 27 Apr 2024, 12:56
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Silent Children" by Honor Harlow.]
Alright, let's dive into "The Silent Children" by Honour Harlow. First of all, I'm giving this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars. It's a gripping read that pulls you into a dark chapter of Ireland's history.
The book is set against the backdrop of the mother and baby homes in Ireland, which, if you're not up on your history, were pretty grim places where unwed mothers and their kids were treated terribly. The story follows young Arlene, who's got this fiery spirit that just doesn't fit with the nuns' idea of a good, quiet girl. She's supposed to buddy up with the bishop's niece but ends up on the "bad side" of the class with the "Home Babies" and other less fortunate kids.
Now, the author, Honour Harlow, does a bang-up job of weaving in Celtic folklore with this suspenseful plot. There's this whole thing with the banshee, which, in case you're not into ghost stories, is this wailing spirit that shows up when someone's about to kick the bucket. And wouldn't you know it, the banshee starts hanging around Arlene's window at night. Creepy, right?
The characters are well fleshed out, especially Arlene, who you can't help but root for. The way she connects with the Home Babies, particularly Brigit and Liam, gives the story a lot of its heart. And the friendship with Úna and Kait introduces all these cool bits about Celtic traditions that really add depth to the tale.
But here's the issue: while the book does a stellar job of highlighting a tragic slice of history, it was a bit heavy-handed. The darkness of the mother and baby homes is a lot to take in, and the novel doesn't shy away from the harsh realities, which can make it a tough read if you're looking for something light.
There are moments where the story just grips you and you can't put it down, but then there are parts that drag a bit for me, especially when it delves deep into the folklore stuff. It's fascinating, don't get me wrong, but it sometimes feels like it's pulling you away from the main storyline. The book has no grammar errors.
In short, "The Silent Children" is a powerful, haunting book that's definitely worth a read if you're into historical fiction with a supernatural twist. Just be prepared for a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Happy reading!
******
The Silent Children
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Alright, let's dive into "The Silent Children" by Honour Harlow. First of all, I'm giving this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars. It's a gripping read that pulls you into a dark chapter of Ireland's history.
The book is set against the backdrop of the mother and baby homes in Ireland, which, if you're not up on your history, were pretty grim places where unwed mothers and their kids were treated terribly. The story follows young Arlene, who's got this fiery spirit that just doesn't fit with the nuns' idea of a good, quiet girl. She's supposed to buddy up with the bishop's niece but ends up on the "bad side" of the class with the "Home Babies" and other less fortunate kids.
Now, the author, Honour Harlow, does a bang-up job of weaving in Celtic folklore with this suspenseful plot. There's this whole thing with the banshee, which, in case you're not into ghost stories, is this wailing spirit that shows up when someone's about to kick the bucket. And wouldn't you know it, the banshee starts hanging around Arlene's window at night. Creepy, right?
The characters are well fleshed out, especially Arlene, who you can't help but root for. The way she connects with the Home Babies, particularly Brigit and Liam, gives the story a lot of its heart. And the friendship with Úna and Kait introduces all these cool bits about Celtic traditions that really add depth to the tale.
But here's the issue: while the book does a stellar job of highlighting a tragic slice of history, it was a bit heavy-handed. The darkness of the mother and baby homes is a lot to take in, and the novel doesn't shy away from the harsh realities, which can make it a tough read if you're looking for something light.
There are moments where the story just grips you and you can't put it down, but then there are parts that drag a bit for me, especially when it delves deep into the folklore stuff. It's fascinating, don't get me wrong, but it sometimes feels like it's pulling you away from the main storyline. The book has no grammar errors.
In short, "The Silent Children" is a powerful, haunting book that's definitely worth a read if you're into historical fiction with a supernatural twist. Just be prepared for a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Happy reading!
******
The Silent Children
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon