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The Silence of Trees
by Valya Dudycz Lupescu

Published: 2010-09-23
Paperback : 334 pages
1 member reading this now
3 clubs reading this now
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Recommended to book clubs by 4 of 4 members
In Chicago's Ukrainian Village, Nadya Lysenko has built her life on a foundation of secrets. When she was sixteen, Nadya snuck out of her house in Western Ukraine to meet a fortuneteller in the woods. She never expected it to be the last time she would see her family. Decades later, Nadya ...
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Introduction

In Chicago's Ukrainian Village, Nadya Lysenko has built her life on a foundation of secrets. When she was sixteen, Nadya snuck out of her house in Western Ukraine to meet a fortuneteller in the woods. She never expected it to be the last time she would see her family. Decades later, Nadya continues to be haunted by the death of her parents and sisters. The myths and magic of her childhood are still a part of her reality: dreams unite friends across time and space, house spirits misplace keys and glasses, and a fortuneteller's cards predict the future. Nadya's beloved dead insist on being heard through dreams and whispers in the night. They want the truth to come out. Nadya needs to face her past and confront the secrets she buried. Too often the women of history have been silenced, but their stories have power-to reveal, to teach, and to transform. This is one such story.

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Discussion Questions

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topics at end of book
by lcarrier (see profile) 04/10/14

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Psyanky
by lcarrier (see profile) 04/10/14
We had our meeting at a Ukrainian woman's home who taught us the old art of making pysanky! We also shared and compared family traditions, and we discussed topical current events.
The Roots of the Olive Tree
by paulambristol (see profile) 08/07/13
A marvelous story of 5 generations of women living and working together with all the family drama and intrigue. It also deals with the genetic connection of longevity. Well written and entertaining.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Silence of Treesly"by Lydia C. (see profile) 04/10/14

Lovely prose delving into culture, folklore, history, family, and life. Interesting, informative, thoroughly researched, and well thought out.

 
  "The Silence of Trees"by Katie K. (see profile) 08/15/13

Lupescu honors Nadya's experiences by writing with elements of spirituality and traditional beliefs. Even the descriptions of war, the camps, and personal pain are written to make readers w... (read more)

 
  "The Silence of Trees"by Paula B. (see profile) 08/07/13

This book was powerful, well written in a visual manner. The story seems very real and relatable. It evokes a variety of feeling along the entire spectrum. It reviews the depth of family relationships... (read more)

 
  "Enjoyed except the Happily Ever After"by Melissa H. (see profile) 06/04/12

Interesting book to learn about Ukrainian traditions and the Russian involvement in WWII. Great discussions in our book club about family traditions, sharing the past/heritage with families and the strength... (read more)

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