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13 reviews

The Weight of Silence
by Heather Gudenkauf

Published: 2009-07-28
Paperback : 384 pages
23 members reading this now
42 clubs reading this now
28 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 11 of 13 members
When two little girls disappear in the night, the truth about what happened lies in the words they cannot speak.

As dawn’s shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families wake to find their little girls have gone missing. There’s seven-year-old Calli Clark, a sweet, gentle ...
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Introduction

When two little girls disappear in the night, the truth about what happened lies in the words they cannot speak.

As dawn’s shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families wake to find their little girls have gone missing. There’s seven-year-old Calli Clark, a sweet, gentle dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by a tragedy that pulled her deep into silence as a toddler, and Petra Gregory, Calli’s best friend, her soul mate and her voice.

Desperate to find their children, Calli’s mother, Antonia, and Petra’s father, Martin, are forced to confront dark truths about the role each of them may have inadvertently played in the girls’ disappearance. Inextricably tied together, these two families are trapped in the silence of unspoken family secrets. Will they find their daughters before it’s too late?

Heather Gudenkauf’s bestselling and groundbreaking debut is a gripping novel packed with dark secrets and deep emotion. This chilling tale of two families’ desperate search will linger long after the final page is turned.

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Martin moved his family to seperate Petra from society branding and painful memories, but how much was also to run from his own actions of beating Ben, introducing the gun that resulted in Griffs death, and inviting Lucky into his family's lives?
Is Sherrif Louis a good guy because he cares for Toni and her family, or just as horrible a father as Griff?
by hentsla (see profile) 02/24/11

Calli has such a mature voice for a 7 year-old. Do you think she would have such a mature perspective if she didn't have her speech diffuculties?
by LoriGold (see profile) 02/03/11

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by Nicole F. (see profile) 03/04/20

 
by Sheralea M. (see profile) 11/07/19

I gave this book toy stars only because I am not a fan of jumping between narratives... It’s very distracting...

 
by Terry T. (see profile) 10/29/18

 
  "The Weight of Silence"by Meghan G. (see profile) 09/17/12

 
  "'Silence' is Not Quite Golden"by Raven L. (see profile) 03/12/12

 
  "good book"by Crystal W. (see profile) 10/26/11

 
  "the weight of silence"by Amber W. (see profile) 10/21/11

 
  "Weight of Silence"by Laurel H. (see profile) 02/24/11

This is a must book for discussion groups! The characters, situations, and emotions of the book are difficult and gray and GREAT for discussion! So many questions and no difinitive answers, and really... (read more)

 
  "The Weight of Silence"by Lori G. (see profile) 02/03/11

Calli is such a remarkable heroine that I couldn't put the book down. I just had to find out what happened to her. I particularly loved the way she thought of her "voice."

 
  "Review"by Linda R. (see profile) 12/09/10

While well written, story line was too 'linear' nothing insightful - just a story

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