Reviews

The Story of Silence by Alex Myers

elatedbooks's review against another edition

2.75

For stories bear the imprint of all who tell them.

This is a very confusing review for me to write.

I loved the author’s narrative style, especially at the beginning with the more classic quest tale of Merlin & the dragon (I was so sad there wasn’t more fun fantasy things in it :( )

But the representation of women in this really made me uncomfortable. I know that it’s something the author actually acknowledges that obviously it’s based on a medieval tale & is therefore indicative of their contemporary beliefs. Plus the author explained their careful consideration of the portrayal of women & i’m pretty sure they even mention updating their roles in the story. But I don’t know if that’s enough for a published novel in this day and age because a female presence was distinctly lacking & when it was displayed it was so disgustingly flat & tropey (literally reduced to the mother figure & a couple of temptresses). It was so bad that I had to do some recon on the author & wasn’t surprised to find it written by a man but was dismayed to find it written by a trans man!

As for the gender exploration element I was similarly disappointed. It got a bit better towards the end as the final couple chapters tied it up more but it didn’t feel revolutionary or even participatory relevant for a lot of it. I know it catalyses the story & Silence does struggle with it continuously but only in quite an immediate way without touching on bigger ideas regarding gender. Its hard because ultimately, as a cis person, it’s not really my place to criticise the representation or exploration of gender fluidity but I just felt left wanting like this could have been so much more.

rachdotmoe's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mhill423's review against another edition

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

ellefanning's review

adventurous medium-paced

4.0

This lagged at certain points but overall very fun and interesting 

khakipantsofsex's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Transphobia

Minor: Rape

lajacquerie's review

3.0

I first purchased this book for a friend on the recommendation of the local bookseller, who described it as a fresh twist on an old classic: the story of a knight. Picked it up for myself later and realized only then that it is indeed based on an older short story from the medieval period whose broad strokes are largely the same: the only child of an Earl with no other heirs is raised as a boy to skirt laws barring women's ability to inherit (which would result, otherwise, in the family lands reverting back to the Crown). The original work explores themes of Nature vs. Nurture, which forms the crux of this novel, as our hero(ine) grows from outcast orphan to minstrel to, finally, a knight in their own right and decides to no longer keep Silent about who they really are. Merlin pops in here and there, too.

The book was fresh enough to be enjoyable, and the varied individuals' responses to... well, all kinds of things was good. But my favorite tale of lady knights will forever remain The Song of the Lioness, of Alanna of Trebond.

claireskies's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

A brilliant book, and as a trans/non-binary reader I felt that Myers' tale was affirming and captivating. It is incredible to see old texts being adapted and reinterpreted in a way that recognises an audience that may not have been previously acknowledged, while also being a faithful adaptation. Knowing a little bit of mediaeval romance, this book fits into the canon well. 

The characters are loveable, complicated, and engaging. The landscape is gorgeous and the pacing is phenomenal. The bardic framing is super exciting, especially to listen to as an audiobook. 

I have one, slight issue with the book but it's a major spoiler. 

I have mixed feelings about the bard's ending. I think I get it, the bard's edit allows Silence to live their life seperate to their tale, and it turns them into a work of in-world fiction as a form of protection. I also understand that it speaks to the multitudes and flux of gender. But as a trans reader who saw myself very much within Silence, I couldn't help but feel like this was backpedaling. The bard accepted Silence and then misgenders then and slots them back into the critique. For some reason, when I was listening to the end my headphones switched off midway through the last paragraph, ending on 'caught' and I thought how brilliant it was for the book to end mid sentence. Then I realised my mistake, went back and listened, and found myself let down. It was much too late in the book to reassert the binaries of this society, but I don't believe this was the intention. So, I've opted to go for my first (but actually later) interpretation, that this was an act of protection.

Otherwise, love love love it.

hellolasse's review against another edition

5.0

Så magisk
Så queer
Så smukt

Glæder mig allerede til genlæse og andre bøger af Alex Myers :D

herrrrmann's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

spacewormy's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0