What would you do in a world where books were banned?
The Silence of Books is national dystopia divided into three parts. At first we met Alice, a child who, unlike the others, likes to hear stories and write them down in a paper notebook. As a reminder of the deceased grandmother, whom Alice nurtured great love and affection, the girl kept a book hidden in her room that was once read by the old lady for her. But afraid of the government one day invading and searching the house, his mother, Louise, decides to tear it up, thus turning it into pieces the most precious asset of the youngest daughter.
Through Alice's eyes we will discover why the mother's wild and angry act: books have been banned in European countries and possession of the object causes imprisonment for those who own it, just as it happened with her uncle, to whom - along with her grandmother - Alice owes the habit and encouragement of reading. But, luckily for the little girl, along with this misfortune comes a novelty that will bring her a lot of joy. An old man named Santiago moves into the house next to his own, discovering shortly afterwards that the man is an activist in favor of the liberation of books and, therefore, knows many stories that will serve as happy moments for Alice.
The second part of the book will portray Santiago's past and the events that will follow until he leaves Brazil and ends up there in Portugal, becoming Alice's alphabet grandfather and a new member of the girl's family. After this the third part masterfully closes the cycle that involves these people and ends the story by showing the consequences of when the humanity of each one cannot cope well with the sudden feeling that arrives in the family, love.
With an oppressive government that induces random choices instead of free will, the book brings up an important debate about how technology drives away, instead of welcoming, people from one another and how technological addiction is a risky evil. In addition, there is also the clash between technology and physical books, since the stories are seen as something disgusting because they have an ending already written and that cannot be changed. So the message that The Silence of Books overflows, on how Literature can be liberating and transforming, is essential and necessary today.
“It is in Literature that Humanity confesses itself: it is the mirror in which we find ourselves stripped, and we can then become a little better. It is not that Literature was at some point capable of removing villainy from Humanity; it has always been in this fight, however, a valuable ally. But our society has abolished books, numbing themselves with stupidity ...“
& #8220; HAVING BOOKS IS A CRIME. REPORT! & #8221;
It’s hard to talk about this book in general, since the second part - which deals with the protagonist's past - pleased me much more than the rest itself, thus being the moment when the reading flowed most. As great as the theme of this dystopia is, and unfortunately, very realistic, which made me excited about the story, the part of the present where it comes to that specifically did not please me.
As I see it Alice's family was often annoying and annoying, even though I knew that this was the author's purpose in wanting to show how the technology used in the wrong way can be toxic and harmful. I believe that Faust's intention was better than the execution itself, which even has difficult writing and long unnecessary descriptions.
But don't think that my reading was all bad. Of course not. Santiago is a character that captivates, even when we know about his mental problems and his indescribable acts when younger. It is exciting and exciting to see how he, as an old man, deals with Literature and how he manages to pass it on to jovial Alice, thus keeping the books alive even if they are only inside each one. The love that the character brings to the family is also a point to stand out, since without him the family of Alice would never have discovered the true meaning of love and affection.
The narration is in 3rd person, but this does not give reason for the reader not to know the opinion and thoughts of Santiago and Alice in chapters focused on the characters. You will have the slight impression that you are reading a personal and intimate narrative, being revealed to you all the secrets, loves - and lovelessness - sadness and dreams.
I believe that a lot of my negative experience was personal, since dystopia is not a genre that I have a habit - or appreciation - of reading. Even knowing this particular taste of mine, I wanted to give it a try, as the synopsis draws and holds the attention of those who read it. AND that's exactly why I know that fans of the genre will enjoy reading much more than I did, so it is recommended for those who like stories about character redemption and who appreciate a good story about the love of stories.
“(….) The silence had sounds, and the books were whispering to reading, and screamingly celebrating life. The silence of the books sang. The silence of the books was the music itself. ”
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