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The Heart's Greater Silence

by Anne Brooke (Goodreads Author)

3.76 of 5 stars 3.76 · rating details · 58 ratings · 32 reviews

Mark isn't sure he believes in love, especially when he finds himself torn between two very different men: his reliable boyfriend, Craig, and his illicit lover and priest, Richard.

Mark knows what he should do, but he can't bring himself to give Richard up. The sex with Richard is unlike anything he's ever known with Craig, and he hungers for it as much as-if not more than-...more

ebook, 31 pages

Published February 6th 2012 by Riptide Publishing

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Jan 23, 2013 Monika rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-shorts

If you hate cheating are looking for funny or want a sweet romance, this may not be the book for you. This in no way can be called a romance. The story involves cheating and while I hate cheating in real life in books I just look at it as a way for there to be conflict and angst. Well this story has a lot of that, but it also has something else I’m really not comfortable with. I’m not a religious person, meaning I don’t attend church not that I don’t have a spiritual side to me but having one of...more

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Dec 08, 2012 Kazza rated it 5 of 5 stars

Whoa, how to review, how to review...

The basic premise is already given. I just want to be self-indulgent and throw my thoughts out there. Here’s what I took out The Heart’s Greater Silence –

First of all the story is from Mark’s POV. All characters were well utilised in the space available. The boyfriend, Craig, was not mentioned much, just enough to add some extra emotion to the plot. Richard, the Priest/Minister, knew what he wanted, but was waylaid by sex with Mark for a while, which was no h...more Whoa, how to review, how to review...

The basic premise is already given. I just want to be self-indulgent and throw my thoughts out there. Here’s what I took out The Heart’s Greater Silence –

First of all the story is from Mark’s POV. All characters were well utilised in the space available. The boyfriend, Craig, was not mentioned much, just enough to add some extra emotion to the plot. Richard, the Priest/Minister, knew what he wanted, but was waylaid by sex with Mark for a while, which was no hardship, per se, until Mark and he were caught. Then it became real.

Choice for Richard? God.

Choice for Craig? Hurt, leave Mark.

Choice for Mark? Uncertainty.

Whilst it didn’t need to be, I would have loved this to have been a full length book. I would have enjoyed being sucked into the vortex of each characters psychology. Do I want to be fed more? Maybe, but I love character interactions. I can’t help it, I love profiling them. I wanted to know more about Craig, Mark and Richard. I wanted to see the beginnings and the full machinations of the overlapping relationship, with Mark in the middle, in more depth.

Anne Brooke is fast becoming one of my favourites. I love the picture she always paints in her books - of a town, the people, the streets the body language of the characters. Body language is an integral part of communication and not every writer can do this well, if at all. I like the fact that her writing is quirky, realistic and (I believe) comes from someone with keen observational skills. I also like the fact that in her books she doesn’t tend to go the road-most-travelled route, she is more adventurous. I liked that there was a religious character involved, that Mark’s boyfriend, Craig, didn’t know about his other lover, until he caught them. I liked that it forced an outcome of sorts. Mostly, I liked that Mark is like quite a few people, he just can’t make his mind up as to where he should be, what’s right for him, and then laments his actions, but you know he probably will find himself in this position again – Mark is like a hangover, “I’ll never drink anymore” (or any less *snicker*). So the ending was perfect for who Mark is - unclear, unsure, lots of possibilities.

Short, realistic, terrific read.
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Feb 15, 2012 Kate added it

I have no idea how to rate this. It's an effective short story, emotionally both poignant and brutal. But it also felt a bit contrived, playing for the dramatic moment of Mark's realization that he has no inner voice, no center, no conviction to tell him what to do in a world that demands choices.

Mark is interesting and his behavior would be intriguing in a longer story where he really has to come to terms with his compartmentalized and existential life. In a short story with no real emotional...more

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Dec 14, 2012 Edina Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: angst, anti-hero, bittersweet, infidelity, intense, short, uber-plot

This is BLOODY good! That's it, this author is one of my fav now.
This is only four stars because the book is too short. I wanted to see Mark try and manage to understand the WHY of his behaviour.

It's the story of Mark, who is in love with Craig but is addicted to sex with Richard. If Richard and Craig were one, Mark would have been completely fulfilled. The end of the book is sad and hopeless. But the book makes you THINK. Maybe a trouple could have been a satisfying solution - if Craig had bee...more

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Feb 11, 2012 PettyProse rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review: This was a compellingly told story of a man who loses not only the two men who have been his lovers, but also the belief in his ability to love and be loved.

Review for Brief Encounters Reviews: http://briefencountersreviews.com/201...

The story is classed as gay literary fiction. To me, this is fiction with gay characters, but very common human behaviour and deep-seated themes. I knew not to expect any kind of HEA, but there’s no denying this is a relentlessly unhappy time for the charact...more Review: This was a compellingly told story of a man who loses not only the two men who have been his lovers, but also the belief in his ability to love and be loved.

Review for Brief Encounters Reviews: http://briefencountersreviews.com/201...

The story is classed as gay literary fiction. To me, this is fiction with gay characters, but very common human behaviour and deep-seated themes. I knew not to expect any kind of HEA, but there’s no denying this is a relentlessly unhappy time for the characters. Michael is on a downward spiral of disaster and abandonment, first by Craig, then by Richard, and eventually by his own hope. I’d have liked to understand better how he’d come to be this person. What made him an addict, not just for sex but using it as emotional punishment for his apparent lack of self-esteem, seeking the seedy and the casual, expecting little reward in his life. It’s no surprise that he’s caught out cheating, because the reader can see his needy, greedy behaviour slipping out of his control.

Craig has a mainly walk-on part as Betrayed Boyfriend. I didn’t have enough time with him and Michael to understand why Michael was so able or eager to love him – the “truer intimacy” stated in the blurb – when Michael apparently showed so little care for himself and lovers before. I felt the pain of Michael’s lost potential for happiness.

The involvement of the church in the person of Richard lends another layer of tension, yet I admired the fact the story majored more on Richard’s moral bravery than any threat of hellfire for a sexual, gay affair. The author deals with the religious with compassion, despite the potential for great offence in some of Richard’s behaviour. The scenes at the end where Richard expresses his desire and determination to follow his vocation rather than his fascination for Michael were the most evocative for me. Michael’s attitude towards religion is conflicted, both attracted by and scornful of Richard’s calling. It’s as if Michael is envious of Richard’s faith, having little of his own.

However, their relationship appears confusing – Michael describes it as like fuck-buddies: God knew why I felt I needed to say anything anyway. We didn’t have that kind of relationship. Hell, we didn’t even have a relationship. My relationship was with Craig. This was sex. Yet Michael also ascribes devotion to Richard beyond his sexual need. I can see little to support that in the story, but it does illustrate the emotional gulf between Michael’s rather obsessive self-pity and how he’s actually connecting with real people. The sex is explicit and uninhibited, but any tenderness is one way only: Michael seems unable to accept or give it in return. I wondered exactly what Richard saw in Michael to have maintained a year’s relationship. Both express irresistible need for each other, yet didn’t convince me of any attraction stronger than the thrill of an “illicit” liaison.

The author’s prose is well crafted, mature and often fascinating. Some of her other stories cover very dark themes including murder, violence and mental instability, but I’ve always trusted her handling of her characters in these provocative settings, providing the reader with very fallible and therefore sympathetic men. I personally didn’t feel this story showcased her writing skill at its best: other readers may disagree with me. Its shorter length meant that it was concentrated solely on this very miserable stage of Michael’s life: there was no progress in either the plot or Michael’s emotional journey, other than his slide into more misfortune. Richard and Craig both moved on in some way, but Michael’s internalised distress was, by its nature, repetitive and self-perpetuating, and overwhelmed any other message for me. As Richard says: when real life comes back into whatever it is we’re doing, then everything’s broken, isn’t it? Nothing fits.

This story of Michael’s emotional hardship doesn’t end on any higher or lower note than it begins. Because of that, it wasn’t particularly rewarding for me as a reader. However, I can admire the author’s exposure of a painful situation and the impact on three men, and the themes of faith and honesty and courage in life’s decisions. It’s stayed in my mind long after reading and I rate it B.

by pettyprose…my opinion alone.(less)

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Feb 04, 2012 Nithu rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this. It was so intense; there was so much crammed into such a short story. I started reading, not expecting to feel much sympathy for Mark. After all, he's a man that wants to have his cake and eat it; he has a steady boyfriend and a lover on the side.

(view spoiler)...more

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Feb 03, 2012 Nicci rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: short-stories, contemporary-romance, m-m-romance

Rating: 4.5 stars

Originally posted at http://twlibreviews.com/2012/02/revie...

In Anne Brooke’s The Hearts Greater Silence we are given a complex story with many layers that is heart wrenching and sad. On the surface, Mark comes off as a greedy, selfish man wanting his comfortable relationship with Craig and his blistering sex with Richard. He needs Richard with an all-consuming emotion I honestly cannot relate to. No way do I get the sense he has the same level of need for Craig. Being with Ric...more

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Feb 01, 2012 Jeff Erno rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay-fiction, gay-erotica

Anne Brooke, an amazing story teller, has done it again with her short story The Heart's Greater Silence. Mark is the story's central character, and the tale is told from his point of view in the first person narrative. Mark's been in a relationship for over a year--a serious relationship, and he loves his partner Craig. The problem is that he has been having sex with another partner on the side.

Richard is a priest, and he's been meeting with Mark in the church where they've continued with thei...more

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Jan 14, 2012 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mark is a man who burns his candle at both ends. And he did so quite successfully for a while, until the two ends ultimately met and he got burnt in a most painful and consequential way. Mark is a man whose mind and body are divided between want and need. He is a man who had everything but ended up with nothing when the battle between pure lust and possible love made a casualty of his heart.

Richard is a man of the cloth, married to his God and his vocation, but is physically compelled to carry o...more

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Dec 31, 2011 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, drama, glbt, m-m, short-story

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Jan 19, 2012 Alex rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: short-story, romance, review-copy, queer, bittersweet

Stars: 4.5/5

Overall
A bitterly beautiful story about a man whose love and lust are torn and he must decide what to do while trying to figure out what he really wants in his heart.

Although romance and love are themes of this story, this is not a traditional romance by any means. In many ways it's an anti-romance, as the unfolding events break apart a relationship, not bring it together. Because of this, readers searching for a happy ending should steer clear. However, keep this in mind: Normally I...more

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Jan 21, 2012 DarienMoya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, 2012-reads, my-m-m-lovin, m-m-short-stories, spicy-shorts, favorites, release-2012, pants-off-reviews

More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS

Mark has just been dumped by his boyfriend to be expected when he was caught cheating. Mark is broken and sad because he loves his boyfriend Craig, and he’s hoping that they can just move on from it. He’s been having the best of both worlds, the love and security of Craig and the hot carnal lust of Richard the man he’s been having an affair with. When both his worlds collide, he’s left in shock but he can’t deny that he wants both.

With Richard...more More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS

Mark has just been dumped by his boyfriend to be expected when he was caught cheating. Mark is broken and sad because he loves his boyfriend Craig, and he’s hoping that they can just move on from it. He’s been having the best of both worlds, the love and security of Craig and the hot carnal lust of Richard the man he’s been having an affair with. When both his worlds collide, he’s left in shock but he can’t deny that he wants both.

With Richard, the sex is hot and nobody does it better. With Craig, he has someone to do boyfriend things with, and most importantly, he can present him to the world. Richard is a man of god, and Mark will always be his piece on the side both figuratively and in actuality. When you’re caught between two men, the outcome is never positive.

It’s easy to call Mark a cheating bastard and say he got what he deserved. I honestly feel very sad for him. He’s in love with the idea of loving Craig, because its safe and he’s dependable. Though it’s Richard, I feel he really wants, but he’s grown accustomed to the situation. He’s his dirty little secret, his quick f*ck outside when the weathers nice. When it all ends, he puts on his collar and goes back to what he loves the most, being a priest. I feel that Mark both accepts it and loathes it and so he found someone who created a balance for him. It’s a sad situation for all three men, but I feel it's sadder for Mark. Richard will ask for forgiveness from his god and move on, and Craig might find solace and love from his family and friends. Mr Mark though is left with nothing.

My first time reading anything by Anne Brooke and folks it won't be my last. I always talk about short stories being worthy of novel praises and this story is one of them. Anne Brooke is an excellent writer with a gift to portray emotions on pages. Sometimes we don’t always get what we want, and we leave behind the things that we need. That being ruled by lust and desires can be nice but when the desire is sated, all that is left is emptiness. This story with a just a few pages was able to share that with me the reader, and if that isn't excellent writing? I don't what is!

I hope to read about Mark again because I feel that he deserves his happy ending, finding that one person whom he both wants and needs.

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Feb 04, 2012 Aija rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, favourites, riptide, revved

A story about strong passions that consumes and overrules everything else in life. And when that's taken from you - you're left drifting.

I read this in one breath and not only because this is a short story, but 'cause it was so gripping and filled with dark passion, heavy thoughts and anguish about not being able to change a thing.. Such a perfect mix! I have rarely read a short story so well rounded and complete. :)

I cannot possibly do a just review for The Heart's Greater Silence, so I'll just...more

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Mar 23, 2012 K.Z. Snow added it

So much power in so few pages!

From its lovely, melancholic cover (perfect!) to its ambiguous conclusion, this tale of sexual obsession at war with emotional need was exactly what I've been looking for. Kudos to Anne Brooke for writing and Riptide for publishing The Heart's Greater Silence. It's smart and sensitive and substantive, and I'm inexpressibly glad I discovered it -- so glad, I'm not at all inclined to nitpick.

Thank you, Anne. Please write more fiction this gripping and insightful.

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Feb 13, 2012 Sheila rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is no light fluff piece. I questioned why Mark needed Richard for sex and Craig for love. It's not a neatly wrapped up story. Richard being a priest changes the dynamics. What is he searching for? What is Mark looking for? Why is Mark unable to find love and sex with the same person? Mark is an interesting character. I had more questions at the end of the story. If you need everything to be nice and neat, you won't find it here but the read will cause you to think about what people want and...more

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Mar 18, 2012 Jayhjay rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review was originally published on my blog Joyfully Jay.

Mark is caught between two men in his life: his boyfriend Craig whom he loves, and his lover Richard with whom he has been having an sexual affair. When the story opens, Craig has just found out about Richard. He refuses to even speak to Mark after the betrayal.

Mark loves Craig, but the connection he has with Richard is totally different. Mark craves Richard sexually, and the need is palpable when they are together. Though he has no em...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Elizabetta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cheating, religious-subtext

As the blurb says Mark is torn between two men who desire him but neither of whom has everything he needs. Craig gives him loyal, vanilla love. Richard, a priest, gives him illicit, dark passion. There is betrayal all around and everyone ends up with their hearts ripped out, stomped on the floor.

This was well written, tight and astonishing in its swift breakdown of these relationships. Not really a romance nor particularly erotic for me. I'm left mostly dazed; sort of like at the end of a Shake...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Dominique Eastwick rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 09, 2012 Susan65 rated it 2 of 5 stars

What a screwed up man. I need a beginning and an end in order to fully "appreciate" this one, but all I have to judge is a small snippet in the middle...and that snippet was a hot mess.
The writing is good, but I felt nothing but contempt and disgust for Mark and Richard.

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Nov 24, 2012 Christine Strowbridge rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow, that was good. I always find it amazing how an author can write such a complete book in only 28 pages. Even though it was a short story, it was filled with such feeling, and left me crushed! I felt so bad for Mark - he was so lost.

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Mar 08, 2012 Zaa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-contemporary, beautiful-or-sexy-cover, spiritual

A lovely 4-star for this short novel. this is the first time I read a novel that is not a happy ending. Iam speechless because the ending is perfectly ironic. I would say it is a very intense, bitter, and real.

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Feb 03, 2012 Suzette rated it 5 of 5 stars

Great short read full of lust and forbidden desire. Very well written although i wish it were longer, the pull between right and wrong, good and bad and what we need vs want is well defined.

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Feb 27, 2012 Christina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: short-stories, m-m-romance

3.5 stars

First off I must say that is a beautiful cover. It drew me in from the start.

This was a good story but I had a hard time getting into the characters. It was one of those stories that was right on the brink of being excellent. I was expecting much more from Mark. I felt like he was accepting his fate rather than trying to work through his emotions. I understood Mark's relationship with Richard much more than his feelings for Craig, maybe because there was less of him in the story. My hea...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Dallison rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was just ok for me. Richard was too weak, and Mark was a slut with no morals who did not know how to love at all!!

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Feb 21, 2013 Kassa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Interesting story but kind of weird. Not sure what to think...

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Mar 20, 2012 Don Bradshaw rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: damaged-individuad, family-drama

Just couldn't wrap my head around the whys in this sad story.

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Feb 13, 2012 Gianthogweed rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, contemporary, contemporary-m-m, short-story

I'm crazy about characters that come alive from the pages of books.

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Apr 07, 2012 Sandra rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm normally a huge fan of Anne Brooke's books but there was just something off with this one for me. I'm not sure if it's because I didn't really feel any compassion for Mark or that it just felt like it was too big a story to be told in so few pages. I liked it but I think I was just looking for more.

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Jan 17, 2012 Aleksandr Voinov added it

Shelves: edited-beta-ed-feedbacked

Really enjoyed working on this. :)

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Dec 09, 2012 JustJen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm, ebook, riptide-pub

2.5 stars. I had a hard time connecting with this one. It was well written, but, Craig was the only one with any real redeeming qualities, and he wasn't in the picture for very long.

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About Anne Brooke

Anne Brooke’s fiction has been shortlisted for the Harry Bowling Novel Award, the Royal Literary Fund Awards and the Asham Award for Women Writers. She has also twice been the winner of the national DSJT Charitable Trust Open Poetry Competition.

She is the author of six published novels, including her fantasy series, The Gathandrian Trilogy, published by Bluewood Publishing and featuring gay scribe...more

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