Book Blurb
Louise Manson is the newest student at Highfield Manor, Dublin’s most exclusive private school. It seems nearly perfect: the high arched window alcoves and tall granite pillars, the overspill of lilac at the front gate and the immaculate playing fields, the giggling students, the dusty, oak-lined library, and the dark, festering secret she has come to expose.
At first, Lou’s working-class status makes her the consummate outsider, though all that changes when she is befriended by the beautiful and wealthy Shauna Power. But Lou finds out that even Shauna is caught up in Highfield’s web, and her time there ends with a lifeless body sprawled at her feet.
Thirty years later, Lou has rebuilt her life after the harrowing events of the so-called “Highfield Affair,” when she gets a shocking phone call. Ronan Power, Shauna’s brother, is a high-profile lawyer bringing a lawsuit against the school. And he needs Lou to testify.
Now with a daughter and career to protect, the last thing Lou wants is for Highfield Manor to be back in her life. But to finally free herself and others, she has to confront her past, go to battle once more, and discover, for once and for all, what really happened at Highfield. Powerful and compelling, When We Were Silent is an unputdownable, thrilling story of exploitation, privilege, and retribution.
My Review
Thank you @flatironbooks for the free book! #flatironpartner
🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸
- One-word review: Thought-provoking
- Emojis:🫨😡 🥺
- Rating: 4 🌟s
My thoughts:
Before writing this review, I had to sit with my thoughts about When We Were Silent for a few days. Make no doubt about it – this is one incredibly tough read. It delves into topics such as societal silence in the face of injustice, the psychological impact of trauma, and the struggle for personal identity in a hostile environment. Still, it is also very eye-opening and thought-provoking on these topics we don’t want to think about but need to. It is frighteningly impactful, authentically illuminating, and handled with so much skill that it’s hard to believe this is a debut book.
My encounter with this narrative was a fortunate blend of reading and listening. India Mullen’s portrayal of Lou, the first-person narrator, was nothing short of atmospheric, drawing me deeper into the story and holding my attention. The subtlety of her delivery, mirroring the shifts in timelines and focus, was a testament to the authenticity of the character’s voice, making me feel like I was being personally confided in.
Events in the current day have propelled Lou back to her past, forcing her to relive a story that tragically defined her for the rest of her life. She’s dealing with a world that refuses to listen to her, despite her repeated attempts to be heard and seen. Her journey takes her through a series of heart-wrenching experiences, but as the tale unfolds and the mystery from the past is exposed, it reveals a life-altering truth that shook me to my core.
As I’ve already emphasized, this is not always an easy story to read or listen to, but its message is incredibly important. It’s a message that needs to be heard, understood, and acted upon. So important, that the power of the last sentence-a sentence that encapsulates the entire journey of the protagonist and leaves a lasting impression-still gives me chills.
Tessa Talks Books 
Wow sounds like quite a read!
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Looks like this had a profound impact. Amazing review, Tessa!
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This sounds like one I definitely want to read, but I’d have to prepare myself to get in the right mindset.
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I like uneasy and that this has messages that are highly relevant today. Outstanding review, Tessa💜
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