Christopher Brookhouse

How are we to interpret silence? Is it a comfort so complete, words are unnecessary? Or is it a denial of the inner workings of another, a refusal to engage? Christopher Brook house writes a short novel about adolescence, unsatisfied characters and unspoken expectations, and the need to connect.
Nicki Groh, a spectacular student with a bright future, fulfills expectations of her parents while trying on life outside their boundaries. A stunningly frightening incident propels her to shatter show more their walls by impulsively leaving with a harmless but unknown young man. The story follows Nicki's mother's search and longing for her daughter while simultaneously exploring new avenues of her own. show less

The characters are unique, yet believable... their choices are difficult to agree with, yet understandable. I don't understand the bad press this book got, as I found it a lovely contrast- raw and beautiful from beginning to end.

I had some difficulty sorting the changes in voices at the beginning of this story, however, once into it some of the static seemed to calm down and each character developed they own rhythm. The subtleness of all of what Nicki Groh had to deal during her life seemed to come together and implode on her as the result of one simple act of violence.

Each of Mr. Brookhouse’s characters seems to have their own set of unique quirks that are not at all obvious. He slowly draws them out and reveals show more them not only to the reader but to the other characters as well. Silence shows how destructive it can be to not only the person keeping the silence but to everyone they come in contact with along the way.

This is a slow thoughtful read that will leave you with plenty to think about after you have finished the last page. show less

Silence is the first novel I have read by Christopher Brookhouse. I was drawn to it because it is set in a small town in New Hampshire and as someone who vacations in New Hampshire about every 2 years, I am fascinated by it! It's such a different setting than the Chicago suburbs that I call home.

I admit that when I read the first chapter, I thought I had the entire plot line of the book figured out in my head. Oh, I was so smart, I was so sure of what would happen in the book. Until I read show more chapter 2! Brookhouse took a story that I felt could have been written in a formula-fiction sort of way and instead wove it into an interesting story.

The story follows Nicki and her adoptive mother Harriet and those that know them. Everyone, however, knows everyone else - the whole small town feeling. Nicki seems to have it all - good looks, good personality, and brains. And yet, after an attempted rape, she runs away from it all just a few days before high school graduation. The story then continues to follow everyone through the summer and into early fall.

I really enjoyed the story. I think I will read some of Brookhouse's 8 other novels in the future! show less