The Silenced Boy is a powerful coming-of-age novel that traces the haunting journey of David, a boy burdened with secrets no child should bear.
At five, David finds comfort in the warmth of his grandmother's home, a brief refuge before he is thrust into a life of hardship in a tiny shop with his parents. There, he learns that love is conditional, and punishment is swift. When he is sent to a Catholic school, the kindness of Brother Gladwin masks a far more sinister reality-one that leaves David traumatized and unable to speak of the horrors he endures.
As he grows, David clings to fleeting moments of freedom: a hidden bicycle, long journeys into the unknown, and the dignity of hard work. But each return home is met with cold indifference. At twelve, he is left alone, his family vanished without a trace. By sixteen, abandoned and forced to survive on his own, he finds himself in a world of exploitation, where trust is a currency he cannot afford.
Lost between past betrayals and a future that feels uncertain, David searches for meaning in forbidden encounters, navigating love, desire, and the lingering shadows of his past. But when the weight of his silence threatens to consume him, he makes a choice-one final act of defiance that will determine his future.
Can David break free from the chains of his past, or will silence be his only refuge?
A deeply moving story of resilience, identity, and the courage to reclaim one's voice.
Industry Reviews
"Thank you for letting me read your book The Silenced Boy. As promised here are some of my notes, in hopes they may be useful for your promotion.
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found it deeply moving on many levels. One of the aspects that stood out to me was the portrayal of David, the silenced boy. The author's use of italics to convey David's inner thoughts was both creative and effective, allowing readers to gain intimate access to his internal world despite his outward silence.
"As an introvert, I felt a strong personal connection with David. His experiences, emotions, and inner struggles resonated deeply with me. Throughout the many adversities and challenges he faced, I admired how he remained a positive, thoughtful, and caring person. Even when life dealt him some particularly difficult blows, he never allowed bitterness or anger to consume him. His resilience and empathy were truly inspiring.
"The inclusion of vignettes provided valuable insight into David's character development and offered a fuller understanding of how his experiences shaped him. One moment that particularly struck me was a line on page 237: "He had yearned for such a long time, for years. It wasn't so much the feeling of being loved; it was the feeling of being wanted." This sentence powerfully encapsulates David's longing and vulnerability-a sentiment that I personally relate to.
"By the end of the book, I felt a profound connection to David and saw many parallels between his story and my own life experiences. I sincerely hope there will be a sequel in the future, as I would love to continue following David's journey.
"Thank you for the opportunity to read this beautiful and touching book." - Warren Silver - Victoria, BC
