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susannavs's review
2.0
Eehh...so my immediate thought about this woman was that she needed some therapy - this coming from someone who wholeheartedly believes in therapy. She needed it. This 9 month challenge was... I mean... the lack of email bugged me. Don't get me wrong, she shouldn't have started back-and-forth conversations but she effectively cut herself off from the world inefficiently in my view.
I don't know. I was bugged by her over-the-top response to effectively not being able to put a window blind in.
I don't know. I was bugged by her over-the-top response to effectively not being able to put a window blind in.
tammisays's review
5.0
Loved this book! I found myself identifying with parts of Rebecca's life, cheering her on when I thought she needed it, and silently reprimanding some of her negativity. But I am so happy with the way the book ends (no spoilers here)
kshea1's review
3.0
3 stars
This was an especially timely book to read during quarantine/pandemic as we are all forced to learn who we are without the everyday hustle and bustle of "normal" life. It's an amazing lesson to really dig deep and learn what makes you happy.
This was an especially timely book to read during quarantine/pandemic as we are all forced to learn who we are without the everyday hustle and bustle of "normal" life. It's an amazing lesson to really dig deep and learn what makes you happy.
casseyt's review
4.0
This is proving to be a very tricky book for me to rate, here's hoping this review will help me make some sense out of my thoughts on it.
As usual life is very hard for a character in a Christine Bernard book. And in this book it's a hard life brought on entirely by the character. Both Unravelled and Will had other people/forces at play...whereas here in Mute Rebecca decided on this course of silence. And while it may seem that there are some previously unknown mental health concerns at play in how Rebecca sees herself and the world, that's not what drove her to and maintaining the silence.
There were many a time when I was ready to reach into the book and smack Rebecca upside the head, she was just so self-involved - but that in of itself is a statement on the ways in which we all our self-involved.
The gradual painting of Rebecca, in what shaped her and the regrets that remained with her...one would be hard pressed to not see some aspect of themselves. Her parents relationship, is presented in such a way, that while Rebecca is the one who tells us about it all, the emotion is not this heavy blob that blurs out all subtlety and nuance to it all.
Throughout the read though, we're left with so many unanswered questions. And it's all of these unanswered questions that keep on circling my mind, and is why I can't give this a 5 star rating. Because while life has many unanswered questions fiction doesn't need that.
And yes, Rebecca comes to a great life realisation and this is a slice of life for her...but I really, really want to know more.
*I'm a lucky fish and on the authors ARC team*
As usual life is very hard for a character in a Christine Bernard book. And in this book it's a hard life brought on entirely by the character. Both Unravelled and Will had other people/forces at play...whereas here in Mute Rebecca decided on this course of silence. And while it may seem that there are some previously unknown mental health concerns at play in how Rebecca sees herself and the world, that's not what drove her to and maintaining the silence.
There were many a time when I was ready to reach into the book and smack Rebecca upside the head, she was just so self-involved - but that in of itself is a statement on the ways in which we all our self-involved.
The gradual painting of Rebecca, in what shaped her and the regrets that remained with her...one would be hard pressed to not see some aspect of themselves. Her parents relationship, is presented in such a way, that while Rebecca is the one who tells us about it all, the emotion is not this heavy blob that blurs out all subtlety and nuance to it all.
Throughout the read though, we're left with so many unanswered questions. And it's all of these unanswered questions that keep on circling my mind, and is why I can't give this a 5 star rating. Because while life has many unanswered questions fiction doesn't need that.
And yes, Rebecca comes to a great life realisation and this is a slice of life for her...but I really, really want to know more.
*I'm a lucky fish and on the authors ARC team*
vewokie's review
5.0
I finished this book a few days ago and while I wanted to leave a review, I wasn't sure what else to say except WOW!
*This review may contain spoilers*
I think this book is fantastic. I read somewhere that Christine liked to write books which made people think and that's what she did for me with this book.
I could relate to the main character. We have all felt so overwhelmed that not being a part of society sounded like a better idea. I think that's easy to do for someone who is a hermit but we do forget the importance of connection in today's time.
The book stirred a bit of hurt in my heart for the portrayal of the father daughter relationship that Rebecca (the main character) shares. I know what that feels like and I had to take a few breaths to compose myself with those parts.
In all honestly, it's an amazing book. It WILL make you think and I also believe that you will be able to relate to the main character, just as I did. It is written fantastically and you'll find yourself devouring it in record time.
Thank you Christine for writing this book and giving me a copy. I wish I had the words to describe all the ways this book made me feel.
*This review may contain spoilers*
I think this book is fantastic. I read somewhere that Christine liked to write books which made people think and that's what she did for me with this book.
I could relate to the main character. We have all felt so overwhelmed that not being a part of society sounded like a better idea. I think that's easy to do for someone who is a hermit but we do forget the importance of connection in today's time.
The book stirred a bit of hurt in my heart for the portrayal of the father daughter relationship that Rebecca (the main character) shares. I know what that feels like and I had to take a few breaths to compose myself with those parts.
In all honestly, it's an amazing book. It WILL make you think and I also believe that you will be able to relate to the main character, just as I did. It is written fantastically and you'll find yourself devouring it in record time.
Thank you Christine for writing this book and giving me a copy. I wish I had the words to describe all the ways this book made me feel.
thegreensofa's review
5.0
I loved this! East to read yet thoughtful. Great book.
And now I want Gigabyte!
And now I want Gigabyte!
thousanduniverses's review
4.0
Rebecca challenges herself and does an experiment to not talk for 9 months.
Not even answering in written form like e-mails (except it's work related) or on social media. The world gets to read about her journey in articles of a monthly magazine for which she is working.
And so begins her self-discovering journey.
The writing was great for a debut novel. I loved the character developments and how the story/challenge unfolds. It's very interesting to see how she changes. I'd have liked to read more about her thought processes while she was self-reflecting though.
The reactions from people when she didn't talk were accurate. It's astonishing to see how people take it personally when one doesn't respond. It seems like an unwritten rule in society, that you have to respond or otherwise you're rude or stupid. Who's actually saying that? The story let's you see things differently.
Also there were some twists I did not expect.
I don't know if I should be mad or not about the cliffhanger at the end :P I'll for sure read the sequel.
Not even answering in written form like e-mails (except it's work related) or on social media. The world gets to read about her journey in articles of a monthly magazine for which she is working.
And so begins her self-discovering journey.
The writing was great for a debut novel. I loved the character developments and how the story/challenge unfolds. It's very interesting to see how she changes. I'd have liked to read more about her thought processes while she was self-reflecting though.
The reactions from people when she didn't talk were accurate. It's astonishing to see how people take it personally when one doesn't respond. It seems like an unwritten rule in society, that you have to respond or otherwise you're rude or stupid. Who's actually saying that? The story let's you see things differently.
Also there were some twists I did not expect.
I don't know if I should be mad or not about the cliffhanger at the end :P I'll for sure read the sequel.
yolandie_horak's review
5.0
A book that makes you think.
Seriously enjoyed this one, despite not being my usual genre. The concept is so cool and really makes you think about the power and value of words.
Rebecca is a great, well-rounded character. I felt so connected to her, and related to so many aspects of her personality.
I can't wait to read Haze.
Seriously enjoyed this one, despite not being my usual genre. The concept is so cool and really makes you think about the power and value of words.
Rebecca is a great, well-rounded character. I felt so connected to her, and related to so many aspects of her personality.
I can't wait to read Haze.
helenab's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Mute, by Christine Bernard, follows the journey of thirty something Rebecca Marley, who after suffering an existential crises, embarks on a challenge to not speak for nine months and her musings about how this experience may change her. The challenge includes no communication through social media and other social media platforms. A big ask for any millennial – but something that most of us - I think - deep down yearn for (or is that just me?). Working for a high profile magazine, her boss is keen to chronicle Rebecca’s journey through a series of published stories in the magazine, which provides a medium for conveying the power of words.
What starts as a spontaneous proposal to not speak or engage with social media, for a year, which is subsequently pared back to 9 months by Rebecca’s work colleague, whom she affectionately calls ‘Bubbles”, after discussing the sheer enormity of such a challenge, quickly becomes a journey, of reflection, self discovery, and a commitment to healing through exercise and investing in meaningful friendships (even if this is with a cat), and reconciling child formed perspectives with renewed understanding as an adult, capturing that moment when a child sees their parent as a person. The act of rescuing a seemingly unlovable cross-eyed cat who dislikes people from the local pet store, sees Rebecca take on responsibility and unconditional friendship and is perhaps a metaphor for rescuing ones- self through caring for another being. The relationship with Fluffy/Gigabyte is the part that resonated with me the most. In this world where relationships are mostly housed online, I have also found that the most meaningful connections in my life are from animals – who love you unconditionally. I thought this was the strongest element of the book by far (I also have a cross-eyed rescue cat so I may be biased!)
The story is a light touch on mental health issues, the role of self reflection, and the importance of healthy relationships, connectedness and the benefits of exercise, and mindfulness (timely in this pandemic world). I read it really quickly, I think in about 2 days. I would recommend it for a casual summer read or a lazy lockdown weekend!
Thank you to Boolarong Press for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
friedatweehuysen's review
5.0
Powerful! So incredible how this made me feel. I couldn't be mute for 9 months but the insights into her own voice is fabulous!