Author: Amanda Stone
ISBN: 0-9764981-1-1

The following review was contributed by: Mary Simmons:  Click Here To Read Mary's Reviews

 In a time when it is reported that half of all marriages end in divorce and
every two-and-a-half minutes someone is sexually assaulted in America, a
novel that explores how both of these issues can tear a family apart is
sadly one which many will relate to on a personal level.

Amanda Stone takes on these turbulent topics in her semi-autobiographical
novel, 'Raging Silence,' following two generations of the Starling family.
She is not afraid to reveal the ugly underbelly that lies beneath the
surface in many families nor does she shy away from taking a shot at the
American legal system, which allows divorces to drag on for years.

"The people, the ones who elect the officials, believe those who should
monitor the courts, are judging in behalf of the people's welfare," she says
in 'Raging Silence.' "No one in the system watches, though, and the big, big
mess keeps on spinning."

The book is largely character-based with the family dynamic at its centre.
It begins shortly after the young couple, Melena and Ernest, have had their
first child, Blackwell. Within a few years two more children, Luke and
Elizabeth, complete their family. The new mother is full of hope for the
future, vowing that she will have a happy family, but her husband's
infidelity soon turns her into a bitter, resentful woman with a mind full of
thoughts of revenge. Years of turmoil ensue while the Starlings attempt to
hide their problems from the outside world; they pretend they are the
perfect family, but secrets are tearing them apart.

One of these secrets is that Elizabeth is sexually abused as a young girl by
her Uncle Leopold, who has Down's syndrome and is seen as a harmless
child-like figure by the rest of the family. The secret tears her apart,
causing her emotional and physical pain until she finally admits what
happened to her after having blocked it out for years.

Having lived through similar experiences, Stone is able to put all of her
personal pain on the page. She says she hopes that by telling her story, she
will give others the courage to come forward with their experience of abuse
and start their own journeys towards healing.

Having grown up in North Carolina, Stone's southern U.S. influence is
strongly apparent in her writing style. As I was reading, the lilting
language conjured up images of the South and the narrative spoke to me with
a distinctive drawl. I was reminded of other great American authors, such as
Barbara Kingsolver, Pat Conroy and Sheri Reynolds. Stone can proudly take
her place in their company.

'Raging Silence' is a novel which takes on huge issues and succeeds at
sharing a poignant family story. It is highly relatable and beautifully
written. The subject matter should not be shoved under the rug and neither
should this novel.