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Daughter of Silence
The inhabitants of a small Italian town reexamine their moral beliefs after a young girl avenges her mother's death by killing the mayor
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
About the author
Morris L. West
134 books177 followersMorris Langlo West was born in St Kilda, Melbourne in 1916. At the age of fourteen, he entered the Christian Brothers seminary ‘as a kind of refuge’ from a difficult childhood. He attended the University of Melbourne and worked as a teacher. In 1941 he left the Christian Brothers without taking final vows. In World War II he worked as a code-breaker, and for a time he was private secretary to former prime minister Billy Hughes.
After the war, West became a successful writer and producer of radio serials. In 1955 he left Australia to build an international career as a writer. With his family, he lived in Austria, Italy, England and the USA, including a stint as the Vatican correspondent for the British newspaper, the Daily Mail. He returned to Australia in 1982.
Morris West wrote 30 books and many plays, and several of his novels were adapted for film. His books were published in 28 languages and sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. Each new book he wrote after he became an established writer sold more than one million copies.
West received many awards and accolades over his long writing career, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the W.H. Heinemann Award of the Royal Society of Literature for The Devil's Advocate. In 1978 he was elected a fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1985, and was made an Officer of the Order (AO) in 1997.
Morris West died at his desk in 1999.
After the war, West became a successful writer and producer of radio serials. In 1955 he left Australia to build an international career as a writer. With his family, he lived in Austria, Italy, England and the USA, including a stint as the Vatican correspondent for the British newspaper, the Daily Mail. He returned to Australia in 1982.
Morris West wrote 30 books and many plays, and several of his novels were adapted for film. His books were published in 28 languages and sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. Each new book he wrote after he became an established writer sold more than one million copies.
West received many awards and accolades over his long writing career, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the W.H. Heinemann Award of the Royal Society of Literature for The Devil's Advocate. In 1978 he was elected a fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1985, and was made an Officer of the Order (AO) in 1997.
Morris West died at his desk in 1999.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 27, 2024
6/10
While the legal case and its psychiatric aspects were complex, and the historical background of the case was interesting, the characters were not very likable. They definitely were not only flawed, but pretty wretched humans, with the possible exception of Professor Galuzzi, Ninette Lachaise, and Fra Bonifacio. Like the main character, Peter Landon, I found myself becoming impatient and struggling to care. Still, the book was well-written, with evocative descriptions and sound research unpinning the legal and psychiatric discussions and strategies.
While the legal case and its psychiatric aspects were complex, and the historical background of the case was interesting, the characters were not very likable. They definitely were not only flawed, but pretty wretched humans, with the possible exception of Professor Galuzzi, Ninette Lachaise, and Fra Bonifacio. Like the main character, Peter Landon, I found myself becoming impatient and struggling to care. Still, the book was well-written, with evocative descriptions and sound research unpinning the legal and psychiatric discussions and strategies.
April 19, 2015
Another splendid work of the masterly writer Morris West. Whether he describes a conversation, a scene, a rule of law or a moral dilemma, his prose captures the moment to perfection.
in this novel he reflects on the inadequacy and injustice of the rule of law when mitigating circumstances or mental instability intrude. A young woman Anna, murders a village mayor in cold blood. Surely this case will be cut and dried. The prosecution certainly assumes this is so. However the defence team headed by the brilliant but unhappy lawyer Carlo pleads Anna's case that makes the prosecution hold its breath waiting for the judge's decision.
Another wonderful book by this marvellous author.
Carinya
in this novel he reflects on the inadequacy and injustice of the rule of law when mitigating circumstances or mental instability intrude. A young woman Anna, murders a village mayor in cold blood. Surely this case will be cut and dried. The prosecution certainly assumes this is so. However the defence team headed by the brilliant but unhappy lawyer Carlo pleads Anna's case that makes the prosecution hold its breath waiting for the judge's decision.
Another wonderful book by this marvellous author.
Carinya
June 27, 2025
(tä oli joku random kirja jonka löysin ilmasena nauvost lol) iha hyvät 50s italy vibes
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February 20, 2011I have the Pan edition. Different cover to this one. Published in 1961. Read it but brought home to re-read again sometime.
March 31, 2024
A murder trial. Set in post WWII Italy. A young girl kills a leader of the town. She is clearly guilty. A tangle of people, a lawyer, his lawyer son-in-law, the messed up wife who runs around with men, an English psychiatrist, an Italian artist (they fall very quickly in love) and a town that went through something during the war.
And in the end [spoiler], the girl is put in an asylum. And though the young lawyer thinks he loves her and she thinks she loves him, his kiss sends her shrieking into madness.
And in the end [spoiler], the girl is put in an asylum. And though the young lawyer thinks he loves her and she thinks she loves him, his kiss sends her shrieking into madness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2025
Dramalhão italiano. Nada mais a dizer!
August 19, 2015
A twenty-four year young woman is shoots the mayor of a Tuscan village. At her trail she pursues the case with an indictment of the man and a conspiracy of silence.
July 24, 2019
Ana Albertini, una mujer joven y hermosa, llega a un pueblo de Italia con un fin: matar al alcalde. La calma del lugar es perturbada por este crimen, aparentemente inexplicable, y por el juicio a Ana. Nadie escapa en HIJA DEL SILENCIO a este ambiente dramático donde la violencia tiene un sabor nostálgico. Ni los amantes, ni los jueces, ni los acusadores, ni los acusados. En HIJA DEL SILENCIO, se nos ofrece un West en la plenitud de sus formas, con su característico dominio del ser humano colocado en situaciones de extrema exigencia.
Una novela correcta, donde lo que más destacaría es la humanización de sus personajes. La historia se sitúa en una pequeña población de la Toscana, y trata sobre el asesinato a sangre fría de una persona poderosa a manos de una campesina. Para defender a la acusada, un abogado que esta al borde de la desesperación, por problemas en su matrimonio, debe indagar y dar lo mejor de si mismo para intentar que la pena de la acusada sea la mínima posible.
El escenario de la novela es Italia, y tiene dos principales protagonistas: el amor, con su dignidad, su corrupción y sus pasionales intrigas, y la justicia humana. Y estos dos protagonistas dan el tema al autor: la tensión pasional, que alcanza dimensiones históricas en un país y en un ambiente donde hasta el vino “se endulza con la sangre de antiguos sacrificios”.
No es de las mejores de Morris West q me tocó leer.
Una novela correcta, donde lo que más destacaría es la humanización de sus personajes. La historia se sitúa en una pequeña población de la Toscana, y trata sobre el asesinato a sangre fría de una persona poderosa a manos de una campesina. Para defender a la acusada, un abogado que esta al borde de la desesperación, por problemas en su matrimonio, debe indagar y dar lo mejor de si mismo para intentar que la pena de la acusada sea la mínima posible.
El escenario de la novela es Italia, y tiene dos principales protagonistas: el amor, con su dignidad, su corrupción y sus pasionales intrigas, y la justicia humana. Y estos dos protagonistas dan el tema al autor: la tensión pasional, que alcanza dimensiones históricas en un país y en un ambiente donde hasta el vino “se endulza con la sangre de antiguos sacrificios”.
No es de las mejores de Morris West q me tocó leer.
October 10, 2025
The novel opens dramatically with the assassination of the mayor in an Italian town by a young woman who, on shooting him dead during a party, immediately turns herself in to the police. The well-regarded mayor is a hero of the Italian resistance and the hostility towards the young woman means it is unlikely her trial will be fair or unbiassed.
A young lawyer, struggling with his marriage and with his father-in-law's control, takes up the case. Can he change the mind of a court system that has five judges - two from the judiciary and three from the people? In the Latin mode, based on Roman law and modified by the Canonists, a preliminary inquiry is held by a magistrate and all available facts gathered. The merits of the case are heard on the basis of the magistrate's prepared brief. The prisoner does not plead guilty or not guilty. The facts are revealed, then the defence and prosecution make a plea on the basis of the facts, then the judges render - not a verdict - but a decision.
With the clear admission of the defendant that the killing was a vendetta for the death of her mother during the war - executed by the resistance - is there any viable way forward to save the girl's life?
A young lawyer, struggling with his marriage and with his father-in-law's control, takes up the case. Can he change the mind of a court system that has five judges - two from the judiciary and three from the people? In the Latin mode, based on Roman law and modified by the Canonists, a preliminary inquiry is held by a magistrate and all available facts gathered. The merits of the case are heard on the basis of the magistrate's prepared brief. The prisoner does not plead guilty or not guilty. The facts are revealed, then the defence and prosecution make a plea on the basis of the facts, then the judges render - not a verdict - but a decision.
With the clear admission of the defendant that the killing was a vendetta for the death of her mother during the war - executed by the resistance - is there any viable way forward to save the girl's life?
April 3, 2020
Set in Tuscany, an Australian psychiatrist is visiting a lawyer & his family who are going through much turmoil. The father, Ascolini, is an egomaniac and very controlling. The daughter has always been under his thumb, including her marriage to Carlo, his protege in the law office. The novel begins with a murder committed by Anna, a disturbed woman who had witnessed the rape & execution of her mother by the local partisans during WWII. Anna kills the man who raped her & ordered the death.
Carlo wants to set out on his own & make his mark even though it looks like an open and shut case, since there were witnesses. He uses Peter (the Aussie) as one of the psychiatrists to create a defense of Anna. Valeria, the daughter, has multiple affairs & is also contemptuous of her father at this point. Carlo has felt alone and since Anna needs him, he transfers feelings to her. Also Peter falls in love with Ninette who he's met through Ascolini. It's quite a mix-up of hate, love & mystery.
Carlo wants to set out on his own & make his mark even though it looks like an open and shut case, since there were witnesses. He uses Peter (the Aussie) as one of the psychiatrists to create a defense of Anna. Valeria, the daughter, has multiple affairs & is also contemptuous of her father at this point. Carlo has felt alone and since Anna needs him, he transfers feelings to her. Also Peter falls in love with Ninette who he's met through Ascolini. It's quite a mix-up of hate, love & mystery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2021
A história se passa na Toscana, com uma família cheia de problemas com um convidado vindo da Austrália, Peter. Dr. Ascolini é um grande advogado e criou sua filha a sua semelhança, assim Valéria trai o marido e não o quer, e Carlos espera ter uma mulher que goste dele assim como obter reconhecimento do sogro. Em meio a esse relacionamento desgastado Dr. Ascolini ainda quer que os dois tenham filhos para lhe darem netos.
Em meio a isso, uma jovem chamada Anna chega a aldeia, atira em um homem e se dirige a delegacia para se entregar. O padre pede para que alguém a defenda, pois sabe o que levou a jovem a fazê-lo, assim Carlo aceita a causa dada como perdida para tentar fazer seu nome.
No desenrolar da história mais sobre o passado de Anna vai sendo descoberto, Peter se apaixona por Ninette e o drama familiar continua, com os 2 tentando ajudar a fazer essa família se entender.
O livro é de leitura agradável, porém em alguns momentos o discurso da família e suas brigas se torna algo chato e tedioso.
Em meio a isso, uma jovem chamada Anna chega a aldeia, atira em um homem e se dirige a delegacia para se entregar. O padre pede para que alguém a defenda, pois sabe o que levou a jovem a fazê-lo, assim Carlo aceita a causa dada como perdida para tentar fazer seu nome.
No desenrolar da história mais sobre o passado de Anna vai sendo descoberto, Peter se apaixona por Ninette e o drama familiar continua, com os 2 tentando ajudar a fazer essa família se entender.
O livro é de leitura agradável, porém em alguns momentos o discurso da família e suas brigas se torna algo chato e tedioso.
January 21, 2025
This book is terrible. Maybe it's just a product of its time. Overly flowery language and a focus on very uninteresting, unbelievable characters. I was interested in the story of the murderer, but it wasn't getting towards it and then they dropped the line that a physical examination revealed she was a virgin. Hello! How dumb! That is ridiculous male fantasy crap of weird prison examinations, plus you can't see that in a physical. It was just too dumb and I had to stop. I did a quick google search to see if I could find a cliff notes version and it seems the book kept going in a terrible direction.
June 8, 2017
The writing in this book was superb, and I enjoyed the observations about human nature. However, I disliked most of the characters, the story was drawn out, and, for a book written in 1961, there was a lot of sleeping around. I know West is a respected author, and I suspect this is not one of his better books. With time, I may try another West title.
October 27, 2022
What I found fascinating in reading this mid-twentieth century novel was the complete absence of irony and cynicism. All the protagonists were sincere, the narrator was sincere, all the supporting characters were sincere, the Tuscan scenery was sincere. It can come across as mawkish, but really it’s sincere.
June 24, 2025
I can't stand books that insist on using metaphors every time they can come up with one. Drives me insane. Just tell me the story. I tolerated it for as long as I could, but I was never going to make it to the end, so I saved myself the trouble.
She should have stayed silent.
She should have stayed silent.
July 12, 2025
Novela guay para transicionar de junio a julio. No ha sido lo mejor que he encontrado en la estantería de mi abuelo, pero me ha gustado. El escenario y el lugar son muy romantizables, y la trama digamos que es suficiente para despertar mi interés en su justa medida.
saludosss
saludosss
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August 24, 2025DNF at 10%..
April 5, 2010
Not bad, but not as good as West's best known work, 'The Devil's Advocate'. Set in Rome the story follows physchiatrist Peter Landon's involvement with a local family. Ascolini is a very old master of Italy's law courts, while his son in law, Carlo is a fatalistic charmer following in his father in law's footsteps while his marriage to Ascolini's daughter, Valeria disintegrates. When a young lady shoots a small village Mayor 5 times at point blank range, Carlo takes the case and discovers more behind it than the simple yet brutal tradition of Vendetta. Carlo must reform the Italian legal system's understanding of mental implairment in order to get a light sentence for his client, a task made slightly easier by Landon's skills.
The plot as concerns Anna, the young shooter, the reader can tell how the story will go, but that's OK, the author is very skilled at what he does and the predictability of what happens won't detract greatly from the enjoyment.
As far as the plot concerning the family intrigues of the Ascolini clan go, West does a fine job of getting the reader past the initial point of feeling like Carlo is the hard done by good guy to making them realise he is the most hypocritical egoist of the whole lot of them.
A little too much focus on the physchology of many of the characters, and occasionally Landon can be pig headed, its something of a read @ the beach or on a plane kind of book.
The plot as concerns Anna, the young shooter, the reader can tell how the story will go, but that's OK, the author is very skilled at what he does and the predictability of what happens won't detract greatly from the enjoyment.
As far as the plot concerning the family intrigues of the Ascolini clan go, West does a fine job of getting the reader past the initial point of feeling like Carlo is the hard done by good guy to making them realise he is the most hypocritical egoist of the whole lot of them.
A little too much focus on the physchology of many of the characters, and occasionally Landon can be pig headed, its something of a read @ the beach or on a plane kind of book.
November 19, 2013
I didn't like this one. It was the #8 bestseller in 1961 and is the story of a murder trial in Tuscany written by a popular Australian author. The characters all have troubled personalities. Two psychiatrists involved in the trial spout lots of Freudian analysis. The writing is turgid and I could see the climax coming long before it happened.
To make the legal angle more exciting, the author introduces the ancient Italian practice of vendetta. That was interesting to a point but because West is not Italian, it all feels like an outsider and a spectator trying to make sense of people and traditions he does not truly understand.
The female characters are ridiculous: the murderer (a woman) is deeply crazy due to childhood trauma, the lawyer's wife is compulsively promiscuous, while a young painter is wise and compassionate beyond her years. Standard bestseller types who still show up in current novels such as Gone Girl.
I call this kind of book "bestseller bullshit" though some authors, such as Harold Robbins with The Carpetbaggers, are so good at it they at least entertain the reader.
To make the legal angle more exciting, the author introduces the ancient Italian practice of vendetta. That was interesting to a point but because West is not Italian, it all feels like an outsider and a spectator trying to make sense of people and traditions he does not truly understand.
The female characters are ridiculous: the murderer (a woman) is deeply crazy due to childhood trauma, the lawyer's wife is compulsively promiscuous, while a young painter is wise and compassionate beyond her years. Standard bestseller types who still show up in current novels such as Gone Girl.
I call this kind of book "bestseller bullshit" though some authors, such as Harold Robbins with The Carpetbaggers, are so good at it they at least entertain the reader.
September 11, 2010
This isn't a perfectly crafted novel, but it is absorbing and looks at the foibles of humanity in a loving way. The court case is interestingly played out. You come to care about the characters. Lots of descriptive sentences -- too many for my taste, but if you love the beauty of wordy details, you've got it.
July 27, 2010
On a search for a book set in Italy, I stumbled across this one, knowing nothing about it or about Morris West. It was an interesting read, especially as it coincided with my own time in Tuscany, but its implausible romance left a lot to be desired.
November 27, 2010
Three stars with qualifier -- a masterful twist at the end, but the author just didn't build enough of a case for the relationship between the protagonist and his fiance, so it was hard to become involved with them.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews