Silence is the most important novel of the acclaimed Japanese author Shusaku Endo. A Japanese Catholic, Endo tells the story of two seventeenth-century missionaries attempting to shore up the oppressed Japanese Christian movement. Father Rodrigues has come to Japan to find the truth behind unthinkable rumours that his famous teacher Ferreira has renounced his faith. But after his arrival he discovers that the only way to help the brutally persecuted Christians may be to apostatize himself. This edition comes with a new foreword by Martin Scorsese.
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Endo's stark, strange theological novel looks back to 17th-century Japan to raise an enduring question: why does God remain with folded arms, silent in the face of human suffering? Telling the story of Fr Rodrigues, a Portuguese Jesuit who follows his missionary vocation to Japan at a time of violent religious persecution, Silence is a compelling historical fiction, a potent distillation of the paradoxes and ambiguities of faith and, from a Christian author, a daring challenge to religious orthodoxy. --The Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read
A remarkable work . . . sombre, delicate and startlingly empathetic. --John Updike, New Yorker
One of the finest historical novels written by anyone, anywhere . . . Flawless. --David Mitchell
A remarkable work . . . sombre, delicate and startlingly empathetic. --John Updike, New Yorker
One of the finest historical novels written by anyone, anywhere . . . Flawless. --David Mitchell
About the Author
SHUSAKU ENDO is widely regarded as one of the greatest Japanese authors of the late twentieth century. Born in 1923, he won many major literary awards and was nominated for the Nobel Prize several times. His novels, which have been translated into twenty-eight languages, include The Sea and Poison, Wonderful Fool, Deep River and Silence. He died in 1996.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
One of the finest books I have ever read.
The language and writing is so tight and powerful, the story and inspiration so thought-provoking, even for a confirmed atheist.
Next to Mishima's Sea of Fertility in a league of 20C Japanese literature. High praise...
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Silence is probably the best book I have ever read. I simply cannot think of anything else I have encountered that tops it. The story tells of Portuguese priest attempting to preach Christianity in Japan during a terrifying persecution.
Silence asks the question how can God remain silent while his servants are being tortured and killed? This theme runs through the book and by the penultimate chapter you think know how the story will end, an ending which is better than most books can manage. The tale then twists again and what happens at the very end is one of the most profound and disturbing conclusions of any book written on the Christian theme.
In a way the book is similar to Graham Greene's "The Power and the Glory" but Endo puts his characters through much more and as a result the central theme has more resonance. As much as I like "The Power and the Glory" it is inferior to Silence. Silence will make you sweat like a great horror novel and will leave its mark like the greatest literature.
This is possible one of the greatest books ever written with a Christian theme.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first read this book in 1993. I was very deeply touched and have read it again from time to time since. The thinking behind the story is profound and the understanding of the Cross and Passion of Christ and the call to us to join in the vulnerability of Christ's own continuing mission to the world is very moving indeed.
As the pages fly by the unflinching, devastating exposure of everyman's own pride and incomplete understanding is sublime in its simplicity and gentleness.
How many ways can I laud this book and urge you to read it?
The early pages are a good read - a good yarn. The middle pages provocative, harrowing, hypnotic. The end pages leave one reeling before a mystery that rattles one's foundations.
As the pages fly by the unflinching, devastating exposure of everyman's own pride and incomplete understanding is sublime in its simplicity and gentleness.
How many ways can I laud this book and urge you to read it?
The early pages are a good read - a good yarn. The middle pages provocative, harrowing, hypnotic. The end pages leave one reeling before a mystery that rattles one's foundations.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Excellent from the outset as a thrilling story and as a meditation on a human conundrum - why is God silent and does a seeming betrayal of faith for faith constitute a weakness or... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Pillowtail
5.0 out of 5 stars
`There are some men in the world who get upset by the persistent...
Some historical background: While it is possible that Christianity was known to the Japanese before the 16th century, it was the arrival of Francis Xavier in 1549 that led to... Read more
Published 13 months ago by J. Cameron-Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great service
Delivery was fast and the book was in good condition. Unfortunately, the first half part fell off. By the time I finished it, it was in pieces. Read more
Published 14 months ago by nomo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not life changing, though quite good
I normally don't read this type of book and I was positively surprised. Prior to "Silence" I read three or four religious fiction books, and all were without flavor, may you say. Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2010 by ManInsideTheHelm
3.0 out of 5 stars
Thought-provoking, but poor translation
This is a harrowing story, and incredibly thought-provoking, but I couldn't help but feel that the translation could have been stronger. Read more
Published on 17 July 2010 by Ruudben
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed by recipient
This book was bought as a gift following a review heard on BBC radio 4. The recipient, a person of very discriminating taste, enjoyed it for its depth, and the beauty of the... Read more
Published on 31 May 2010 by F. Jacobsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Japanese Classic
Book arrived in the condition described and within the delivery time estimated would order from this company again.
Published on 17 Mar 2010 by J. Allan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book to shout about
'Silence' by Endo is the most profound novel I have ever read.I took my time to come round to reading it because I thought the trials and tribulations of a few Portuguese... Read more
Published on 20 May 2009 by Jonathan T. Coller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Silence is golden.
Silence
'You make yourself more important than them. You are preoccupied with your own salvation. Read more
'You make yourself more important than them. You are preoccupied with your own salvation. Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2008 by A. J. Ransom
3.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking, but great??
This is a very well written book and perhaps three stars is a little harsh, but everything I had read about this book wetted my appetite and possibly built it up too much in my... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2008 by JB Villarroel
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