The Silence Project has a very interesting premise, one that really had my attention right from the start. When Emilia Morris is just thirteen, she watches her mother burn to death along with hundreds of others across the world. This baffling event has such an effect on people that no one could ever forget Rachel Chalkham, a phoenix who perished in fire. The book is divided into two parts. The first shows Emilia growing up witnessing her mother’s sudden change in behaviour where she forgoes everything and takes an oath of silence. The second, in which Emilia tries to understand the intricacies of the community that her mother created.

Emilia decides to write a book on her mother Rachel decades after she died. Rachel was a normal mom until Emilia turned 13 and suddenly she stops speaking. Before she realises, there are women joining her from all over the world in their attempt to tell the world to speak less and listen more. This silence that Rachel embraces becomes a powerful tool, which ultimately helps in building a community later on. Emilia watches her mother transform from being just her parent to a woman whom she cannot recognise anymore.

Years later, Emilia herself joins the community. Her life then branches out in various directions, the second half of the book covering her life as an adult.

I think the biggest aspect that didn’t work for me was how I couldn’t connect with the protagonist. A major chunk of the book seemed stretchy, making me want to skip a few chapters. In spite of a solid plot, I felt myself losing interest ever so often.

The Silence Project gets full points in terms of ideas, but on the whole it didn’t really work for me. My review may very well be on the unpopular side so if the premise appeals to you, go ahead and give it a shot :)