(4 stars)
UPDATE (after reading FULL BOOK)
I enjoyed this story a lot. It's written by Emilia and tells the story of her relationship with Rachel (her mother), and the Community. It feels very personal, honest, heartbreaking, and she doesn't hold back from her own faults.

Rachel takes a vow of silence on Emilia's thirteenth birthday and moves out of the family home into a tent at the bottom of the garden. Emilia initially believes it's because of her - as you would at that age, at least I would, anyway. Women of all ages join her and build a community.

The reader feels a part of both the Community and the family. Rachel is correct, there's not a lot of listening going on these days. I absolutely see why she and other Community members did what they did, like Buddhist monks' and nuns' acts of self-immolation. It's the ultimate protest - a sensational form of suicide - shocking people into listening. Afterwards though, once the protests are over and Rachel's guidance is no longer available to the Community, it starts to take on a life of its own. Things are attributed to Rachel, and done in her name, but did she actually have anything to do with them? This book shows very well how easily things can be bastardised.

There was a wee 'dip' at the end of the first third of the book (hence the four stars), but by that time I had committed to the story, so I carried on.

Well-written and realistic, I look forward to reading more by this author.

I initially chose to read a sample of this book, and was later offered an ARC of the full book which I voluntarily and honestly read and reviewed. All opinions are my own. My thanks to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author.
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(5 stars)
I enjoyed reading A SAMPLE of this work as it is very well set out and felt as though it was being written by a real person. A book within a book, kind of atmospheric with a side helping of suspense.

The sample was short, and cut off just as things were getting interesting, however it conveyed enough interest that I would like to read the whole book if I was offered it.

Whatever made Emilia's mother, Rachel, take a vow of silence must've been enormous. Why choose to start it on Emilia's thirteenth birthday? Was it something to do with her? After eight silent years, why did Rachel set herself on fire? Lots of questions floating about in my head that I need answers to. I look forward to reading the finished work.

I chose a sample of this book which I voluntarily and honestly read and reviewed. All opinions are my own. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. (I will update as and when I am able to read the whole book.)

This book was amazing with a premise that was both original and intriguing. It was incredibly well written with an exceptional storyline and well developed characters. I don't want to give anything away from this book as it will ruin it for people but honestly one of the best books I have read so far this year and maybe last year too

I will attempt to do this without spoilers as I want as many people as possible to read this without knowing what to expect as it will blow you away! This was the feminist dystopian novel needed in my life, the mother-daughter relationship is relevant and often hits close to home which makes it even more of an engaging read. I cannot recommend this enough!

The Silence Project explores a complicated mother-daughter relationship set against the backdrop of a changing world. In particular, how does a person cope with their parent retreating from family life toward a mission to change the world? As Emilia's mother begins to develop a new Community (or cult) to encourage better listening and conflict resolution, the further away from her Emilia feels. If you enjoyed Vox or The Power this wil be a good read. The narrative and plotting hold well throughout & the ending feels grounded in reality. (Copy received from Netgalley in return for an honest review)

I can honestly say that this book is my best read of the year! I’m reluctant to say too much about the plot as I really want people to discover this narrative for themselves without spoilers!! Safe to say that this excellent fiction will live with me for a long time. Can’t recommend it highly enough!!

Sadly, I found this book profoundly unoriginal and the author relied on blunt tropes & stereotypes to get her message across. The writing style was lively & easy to read but I found it a little stodgy. The second half of the book was more sure-footed & interesting to me. Compared to The Power, Vox & The Handmaids Tale it delivered nothing new and I was disappointed. Political novels are important but the sledgehammer approach lost me early on. Many thanks to the Publisher & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review & opinion.

I really loved the first part of this book. When I started reading this I had to check that it was fiction. The writing was so good I doubted myself. The second half was less interesting to me.

I was very intrigued by this book when NetGalley had a sample a few months back and was delighted to be able to read the full book
I was drawn to the story by the idea of a cult evolving around a group of people who decide to listen rather than speak and a large number of them vomit ritual suicide by immolation .
It is hard to review this book without giving too much away and for this reason I have ticked the spoilers box ok Goodreads
The author has an easy to read writing style and I found myself quickly identifying with the cult leaders daughter and wanting to know more about the story as a whole I was very quickly drawn in
The sample made me think that the majority of the story would be about the early days if this cult and it’s development and I was therefore surprised with the fact that this part of the story only takes 1/3 of the book and the story really focuses on the cult leaders daughter and her experiences after her mother kills herself along with thousands of followers .This develops the story in unpredictable ways making it a more interesting thought provoking read .Parts for example are set in Africa adding interest and allowing the story to look at other issues such as the rights of women to contraception and the effect of colonialist paternalism on developing countries
I remember feeling rather disappointed by the end of the book primarily because I wanted the story to continue to know more about the outcome of the cults more dubious policies ,maybe a second book ?
I would recommend the book to the lover of dystopian literature if you liked Q or Vic by Christina Dalcher you would like this
I read an early copy on NetGalley Uk the book is published on Uk. In February 2023 by Atlantic Books

An absolutely remarkable premise - and a very multilayered perspective of an individual, a Community, and whether something is good or bad or many things simultaneously. It makes you wonder whether the benefits of the Community could possibly be held up against the damage caused; and which way the scales would fall.