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Review
'Winthrop is brilliant at depicting the bewildering world and its assault on the senses of a struggling adolescent . . . This extraordinary novel seduces as it also challenges: curiously provoking and offering small flashes of illumination, like matches struck in that dim and meaningful space on the far side of language.' (Natalie Sandison, The Times )
'Like budding artist Isabelle, Winthrop is a master of observation, and her ability to crystallize themes in particular vignettes (fixing a broken phonograph, buying Christmas presents) brings this affecting family drama vividly to life.' (Publisher's Weekly )
'Like budding artist Isabelle, Winthrop is a master of observation, and her ability to crystallize themes in particular vignettes (fixing a broken phonograph, buying Christmas presents) brings this affecting family drama vividly to life.' (Publisher's Weekly )
Product Description
Eleven-year-old Isabelle hasn't spoken in nine months, and as December begins the situation is getting desperate. Her mother has stopped work to devote herself to her daughter's care. Four psychiatrists have already given up on her, and her school will not take her back in the New Year. Her parents are frantically trying to understand what has happened so they can help their child, but they cannot escape the thought of darker possibilities. What if Isabelle is damaged beyond their reach? Will she never speak again? Is it their fault? As they spiral around Isabelle's impenetrable silence, she herself emerges as a bright young girl in need of help yet too terrified to ask for it.
By the talented young author of FIREWORKS, this is a compelling, ultimately uplifting novel about a family in crisis, showing the delicate web that connects a husband and wife, parents and children, and how easily it can tear.
By the talented young author of FIREWORKS, this is a compelling, ultimately uplifting novel about a family in crisis, showing the delicate web that connects a husband and wife, parents and children, and how easily it can tear.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I loved this book and I'm surprised it hasn't got better reviews. The author's insights into the struggle of the parents to help their mute daughter and her feelings about her own silence, really struck a chord with me - possibly because I have also had a child with long term illness.
Isabel is 11 yrs old when she stops talking. The reasons why she has stopped are never really clear, but she gets herself into a situation from which she can't escape. Her parents do everything they can to help her but they are at a loss. Even the experts do not seem to be able to penetrate Isbael's silence.
The feelings of despair, mingled with continuing hope, are all pervasive as the freezing month of December draws to a close.
My only (small) quibble was the strangely large font which I found made me read the book jerkily until I got absorbed by the story and was able to ignore it.
A definite keeper.
Isabel is 11 yrs old when she stops talking. The reasons why she has stopped are never really clear, but she gets herself into a situation from which she can't escape. Her parents do everything they can to help her but they are at a loss. Even the experts do not seem to be able to penetrate Isbael's silence.
The feelings of despair, mingled with continuing hope, are all pervasive as the freezing month of December draws to a close.
My only (small) quibble was the strangely large font which I found made me read the book jerkily until I got absorbed by the story and was able to ignore it.
A definite keeper.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
December is Elizabeth H. Winthrop's second novel but this is the first novel by her that I have read. I cannot actually recall how the title made it on to my Wish List but it did and I subsequently obtained this copy via Bookmooch a few months ago. Surprisingly little happens in this novel and although well written there is not much to say about it. Although I did not find it boring I did find it at times a little slow because of the amount of trivial detail that is included about the everyday activities of the family, not sure if this much detail was necessary, but it did show how much Isabella's silence effected family life.
How would any parent feel if their child had not spoken to them for 286 days? Isabella Carter is eleven years old and has not spoken to her parents or uttered a word to anyone in fact for so many months that specialists are at their wits end with her not being able to diagnose anything specific. Her school has been providing work for her to do at home, but are no longer prepared to have her on the list of pupils unless she returns speaking within the next few weeks.
Ruth and Wilson Carters marriage is beginning to show the signs of strain as they struggle to discover where they have gone wrong with parenting, if this is even their fault. The three protagonists narrate the story which means we really get to feel the tension this situation is causing for all three of them. The parents are experiencing vast mood swings from anger with themselves, anger with their daughter, to being scared of what exactly the future holds for them all. Isabella starts her silence because she feels she has no control over her life in any other way. She is struggling with the confusing world of an adolescent, so not speaking seems to her a way of gaining some control. The problem is that the longer her silence goes on, the less in control she actually feels. The control changes to an inner fear that she might not actually be able to speak if she tried to. Without writing a spoiler it takes someone outside the family plus a desperate need to communicate to make Isabella realise that the silence does not have to control her for ever, but how will she respond to this insight. To find out you will have to read the book.
How would any parent feel if their child had not spoken to them for 286 days? Isabella Carter is eleven years old and has not spoken to her parents or uttered a word to anyone in fact for so many months that specialists are at their wits end with her not being able to diagnose anything specific. Her school has been providing work for her to do at home, but are no longer prepared to have her on the list of pupils unless she returns speaking within the next few weeks.
Ruth and Wilson Carters marriage is beginning to show the signs of strain as they struggle to discover where they have gone wrong with parenting, if this is even their fault. The three protagonists narrate the story which means we really get to feel the tension this situation is causing for all three of them. The parents are experiencing vast mood swings from anger with themselves, anger with their daughter, to being scared of what exactly the future holds for them all. Isabella starts her silence because she feels she has no control over her life in any other way. She is struggling with the confusing world of an adolescent, so not speaking seems to her a way of gaining some control. The problem is that the longer her silence goes on, the less in control she actually feels. The control changes to an inner fear that she might not actually be able to speak if she tried to. Without writing a spoiler it takes someone outside the family plus a desperate need to communicate to make Isabella realise that the silence does not have to control her for ever, but how will she respond to this insight. To find out you will have to read the book.
19 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
December is set in New England, and follows the Carter family through the wintery month, as they try to find ways to encourage their eleven-year-old daughter to speak. A long line of psychiatrists have given up on Isabelle, declaring that there is nothing medically wrong with her, and therefore nothing that can be done. Isabelle has now been locked in a world of self-imposed silence for several months, and her parents are struggling to cope with their daughter's problem.
It is a well observed look at a typical American family, but ultimately nothing happens. It is a very gentle novel, with light touches of humour. If you like books by Anne Tyler, then you'll probably love this, but I like a bit more action in my novels.
It is a well observed look at a typical American family, but ultimately nothing happens. It is a very gentle novel, with light touches of humour. If you like books by Anne Tyler, then you'll probably love this, but I like a bit more action in my novels.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not enough answers
This book has been sitting on my shelf for a while. I just didn't feel compeled to read it for some reason. I'm not sure why, it sounded interesting enough. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lucybird
"She can't even bring herself to speak aloud anymore when no one is...
This novel was leant to me by a friend and the premise of it intrigued me. After recently reading `Breaking the Silence' by Diane Chamberlain (and enjoying it), the notion of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Nicola F (Nic)
very dull and boring
This book is extremely tedious. There are endless blow by blow accounts of the cooking of meals or eating in restaurants, also detailed descriptions of clutter in cellars or... Read more
Published 12 months ago by cbcaerleon
Not very good, no plot and no real crescendo
Although written well, this book was one I can't recommend. There is little plot, little action and I found the storyline pointless. Read more
Published 14 months ago by PussyKat
What would you do in the parents' situation?
I started off finding this too bleak; then was housebound owing to snow and found the story more and more compelling. Read more
Published 17 months ago by H. Petre
The most dreariest book I have ever read in my life!!
This has to be the most dreariest book I have ever read in my life!!
I persevered with the book because I thought that there would be some revelation about the reason... Read more
I persevered with the book because I thought that there would be some revelation about the reason... Read more
Published 19 months ago by bookaddict
Left me cold
The intriguing blurb tempted me to buy this book - unfortunately things went downhill quickly. I found the present-tense writing style very cold, though you could say it tied in... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Heather
A riveting read
This is not the sort of book I usually read (I'm more of a ripping yarn person) but I recently watched a tv programme on selective mutism which had tickled my interest. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2010 by Jean H
Shattered Silence
I agree with the other U.S. reviewers who felt this story lacked insight. Although well written, it lagged in places. Isabelle, 11 has stopped speaking in early 2006. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by BeatleBangs1964
Sensitive and subtle
I think it is a good and sensitive book, and the details are very well observed. It does not make things seem simple; it helps you understand the viewpoints both of the child and... Read more
Published on 26 Dec 2009 by Mrs. A. M. J. Wigmore
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