Description

The gripping story of what it’s like to be the daughter of a woman who changed the world – perfect for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Power

A BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK AND KINDLE NO. 1 BESTSELLER

‘Engrossing and original. The Silence Project will get people talking’ Bernardine Evaristo

Mother. Martyr. Murderer.

On Emilia Morris’s thirteenth birthday, her mother Rachel moves into a tent at the bottom of their garden. From that day on, she never says another word.

Inspired by Rachel’s example, other women join her and together they build the Community. Eight years later, Rachel and thousands of her followers shock the world as they silence themselves forever.

In the aftermath of what comes to be known as the Event, the Community’s global influence quickly grows. As a result, the whole world has an opinion about Rachel – whether they see her as a callous monster or a heroic martyr – but Emilia has never voiced hers publicly. Until now.

Readers can’t stop shouting about The Silence Project:
‘A true masterpiece’ *****
‘One hell of a book!’ *****
‘Had me hooked’ *****
‘Red-hot’ *****
‘I don’t think I’ve ever read a book as quickly’ *****
‘Gave me the shivers’ *****

Publisher Review

An utterly compelling page-turner, you'll keep thinking about this novel long after you've put it down. * Glamour * A page-turner * Scotland on Sunday * Carole Hailey has conjured a gripping tale of transformation; its protagonist's clear-eyed, arresting voice is impossible to ignore. This striking debut grounds itself in a world we recognize in order to invite us to imagine both darkness - and hope. The Silence Project marks the arrival of a sophisticated and compelling new voice. -- Erica Wagner Totally unique, gripping, compelling and immersive -- Nell Hudson, author of Just For Today 'Multilayered and philosophical ... grippingly compulsive ... reminiscent of writers such as Margaret Atwood, Naomi Alderman and Miriam Toews ... inventive and original * Nation Cymru * A slow burn that leads up to an incendiary conclusion. It holds a mirror up to our cultural compulsion to have a take on every tragedy that passes our screens, and the way that movements can spiral out of control. But it's also a deep dive into the divide between a mother and a daughter, and the struggle to understand who your parents are outside their identity as your parents. * Readers Digest * Compulsive reading ... so timely in its considerations of the ownership of narrative and truth -- Jane Fraser, author of Advent A big novel, a story for our age that asks the central question: how to save an endangered world when there can no longer be heroes? Love and power burn through The Silence Project. A terrifying and beautiful coming of age story. What an achievement! -- Isabelle Dupuy author of Living the Dream Readers who enjoyed The Power or The Handmaid's Tale will be absorbed by the novel's exploration of dystopian themese -- The School Librarian A gripping, intelligent, multi-layered triumph -- Andy Charman, author of Crow Court A ferociously smart page turner, exploring how idealism curdles into fanaticism, silence into violence. Brilliantly original and inventive. -- Alan Bilton, author of The Known and Unknown Sea Arresting ... pins down the zeigeist as if with a rivet gun and is so good on the subject of cults that it might well become the focus one. Bravo. -- Jon Gower Captivating ... a nimble and fascinating page-turner * Buzz * A remarkable novel ... illustrates the evil that lies in the heart of men's (and women's) hearts when they decide their way is the only way * Meath Chronicle *