Review: Out of the Silence

Out of the Silence by Owen Mullen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:


This story is set in Pakistan and starts with a young woman being admitted to a hospital after being the subject of an acid attack. While she can, she tells her story to Doctor Simone Jasnin and so the tale begins.

It tells of Afra, a young girl in love with Jameel, a village boy, but her mother arranges her marriage to another man for the dowry.

Jameel leaves the village alone to make a life with his Great Uncle in Lahore, Afra’s life is one of brutality and slavery as is the case for many women in that area. Dr Jasnin and a reporter try to highlight the dreadful treatment of women and help where they can.

Without giving away too much, this is one of the most gripping, heartbreaking and morbidly satisfying books I’ve read for a long while.

It is, at its heart, a love story, tragic and moving, but also covers the abuse of women in Pakistan that appears to be the accepted norm, and a tale of retribution and revenge. The author, Owen Mullen’s excellent writing will make you angry at the injustices but then cry at the sheer heart rending emotion. I know this is a cliche, but I really could not put this down and read it in one (quite long) sitting.


Books are my escape and relaxation and my reviews are my honest opinion. If it’s tripe, I’ll say so and alternately if it’s excellent I may gush a bit. Many books are a good read, but are a bit forgettable, others, however, touch your soul a little and stay with you bringing a little magic to life, this is one of those books. I can thoroughly recommend it.

Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest review.


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