The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow - Rita Leganski

Country: United States
Setting: Louisiana

Bonaventure Arrow is born out of tragic circumstance, yet is perfectly healthy, gifted even, but lacks the ability to make a sound. And yet, he hears everything. Not just conversations and household noises, but the secrets contained in boxes, in stones, in his own backyard and across town.

Bonaventure is a charming yet mysterious child and he is at the centre of several tangled tales. The grief of his single mother. The lingering sorrow of his father’s mother, and the magnetic draw of her chapel. The once-handsome man now locked in an insane asylum. And the life of Trinidad, the only person who seems to share and understand his gift, whose own life has been a dramatic and intriguing saga.

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The storyline didn’t sound like the kind of novel I usually enjoy, but I ended up loving this book. It is so well written that, even though Bonaventure is the central character, you gain a real sense of everyone else – what drives them, what motivates them, what makes them happy and sad. I was so eager to have so many mysteries resolved at the end of the book, yet so very sad to have it finish.

Did this book make me want to travel to Louisiana. Yes!! It was fascinating to learn about 1950’s life where the characters come from different races and classes, yet that is a distant second to the primary story of people interacting, having their lives intertwined, crossing boundaries. It was inspiring and uplifting. I also really enjoyed the rich detail describing cemeteries, country roads, and local businesses, as well as the description of different religious practices and family traditions.


You can buy this book from my Amazon Store or check your local bookstore.