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It Happened in Silence
Honorable Mention in the 2022 Eric Hoffer Book Award Historical Fiction Category
2021 Benjamin Franklin Silver Award
2021 Finalist Wishing Shelf Book Award
Riveting Southern Fiction by the award-winning author of When We Were Brave. ~Set in a world where women of the KKK betray their neighbors, horrors of unscrupulous foundling homes come to light, and buried mysteries are not all that hidden.
Mute since birth, fifteen-year-old Willow Stewart has one task to complete—to leave her Appalachian homestead and find a traveling preacher and her brother, Briar. When a peddler kidnaps her, she escapes only to face an unjust arrest and penal servitude. It’s Georgia 1921. The laws are not on her side. Or her brother’s.
Briar is serving time on a chain gang with four months left. When an immigrant boy asks him for help, Briar must decide if he should jeopardize his freedom to help the penniless boy.
Soon Willow and Briar become ensnared in a world of cruel secrets, savage truths, deceitful practices, and desperate predicaments. This is a powerful tale of family, a celebration of decency, and the heartbreak of society’s injustices then that rings true today.
This novel delves into the gut and sinew of fairness, probing often inexplicable questions, as old and persistent as the forest itself.
2021 Benjamin Franklin Silver Award
2021 Finalist Wishing Shelf Book Award
Riveting Southern Fiction by the award-winning author of When We Were Brave. ~Set in a world where women of the KKK betray their neighbors, horrors of unscrupulous foundling homes come to light, and buried mysteries are not all that hidden.
Mute since birth, fifteen-year-old Willow Stewart has one task to complete—to leave her Appalachian homestead and find a traveling preacher and her brother, Briar. When a peddler kidnaps her, she escapes only to face an unjust arrest and penal servitude. It’s Georgia 1921. The laws are not on her side. Or her brother’s.
Briar is serving time on a chain gang with four months left. When an immigrant boy asks him for help, Briar must decide if he should jeopardize his freedom to help the penniless boy.
Soon Willow and Briar become ensnared in a world of cruel secrets, savage truths, deceitful practices, and desperate predicaments. This is a powerful tale of family, a celebration of decency, and the heartbreak of society’s injustices then that rings true today.
This novel delves into the gut and sinew of fairness, probing often inexplicable questions, as old and persistent as the forest itself.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2020
432 people are currently reading
9922 people want to read
About the author
Karla M. Jay
8 books585 followersKarla M. Jay is an award-winning historical fiction author. She loves to travel, garden, and to discover a story that has never been told. Follow her on BookBub! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/karla...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
September 10, 2021
"Until a man is struck in his own face, he does not want to believe the attack on his brother concerns him." (Leon Uris)
You'll find yourself sitting with this one for a while. The cruelties of life wear an abundance of different faces carrying empty hearts along the way......
Karla M. Jay has created quite the read here told through the distinct voices of three individuals who find themselves wrapped in the winds of existence in Georgia in 1921. Living in the South during that era was to live and breathe within a pressure cooker of overt racism and discrimination. While a mouth spewed rancid words of hate, furious fists spoke a whole different language.
But not all individuals bathed in this hate. Willow Stewart, fifteen and mute, lived with her family on Stewart Hill in the backcountry of Georgia. Her mother had just given birth to a stillborn and it was apparent that the woman would not survive herself. Poppy, Willow's father, has sent Willow to the next town to bring back the local preacher for a proper burial. Willow and her brother, Briar, had invented hand signals in order to communicate. Willow, bright and an accomplished reader, took to writing on small bits of paper. She promised to return with the preacher.
But promises are broken under circumstances that are beyond us. And sometimes out actions and decisions will lead us astray into the darkest strains of trouble. Willow stops along the roadside to help a man in distress. Her kindness gets herself thrown into the back of his traveling van. It's here that things will begin to come undone for Willow. The strictness of Southern laws and the deviousness of people will keep Willow away from her original intent. Her story will become the center of this novel.
Briar, Willow's brother, has been cast out from the family home. He and Poppy had words because of Briar's actions at a mining camp that involved the oldest son, Luther. Forgiveness is held tightly in the pocket of the proud. The family doesn't realize that Briar is now on a chain gang serving time for possible vagrancy. The judge claimed a man should have at least a dollar to his name or he was looking for trouble. Another man was sentenced to two years because "He was walking without a purpose." Briar is hellbent on returning home and righting any wrongs. His is a remarkable storyline.
And then we have Ardith Dobbs who tends to her secrets and leads a life built on lies. She is currently married to William and lives in an upscale home. But no matter how much fancy lace and silk you wear, the stains of a heartless soul will always seep through. Ardith is the treasurer of the Daisy Ladies' Society which caters to works of charity that disguises the behemoth of the KKK. She and William are active members. The story of Ardith will curl your hair.....
What held this novel so tightly for me was Karla M. Jay's solid weaving of the goodness that resides in humanity. While the tense rays of cruelties and abysmal behaviors tend to pellet life for so many, she steps forward with the strength of the intent of those who will not tolerate such displays. And it is the inner voice of Willow, mute and soundless, who will have the greatest impact on an almost impossible situation. And we'll feel the gong of reverberations even after the last page.....
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Book Circle Press and to Karla M. Jay for the opportunity.
You'll find yourself sitting with this one for a while. The cruelties of life wear an abundance of different faces carrying empty hearts along the way......
Karla M. Jay has created quite the read here told through the distinct voices of three individuals who find themselves wrapped in the winds of existence in Georgia in 1921. Living in the South during that era was to live and breathe within a pressure cooker of overt racism and discrimination. While a mouth spewed rancid words of hate, furious fists spoke a whole different language.
But not all individuals bathed in this hate. Willow Stewart, fifteen and mute, lived with her family on Stewart Hill in the backcountry of Georgia. Her mother had just given birth to a stillborn and it was apparent that the woman would not survive herself. Poppy, Willow's father, has sent Willow to the next town to bring back the local preacher for a proper burial. Willow and her brother, Briar, had invented hand signals in order to communicate. Willow, bright and an accomplished reader, took to writing on small bits of paper. She promised to return with the preacher.
But promises are broken under circumstances that are beyond us. And sometimes out actions and decisions will lead us astray into the darkest strains of trouble. Willow stops along the roadside to help a man in distress. Her kindness gets herself thrown into the back of his traveling van. It's here that things will begin to come undone for Willow. The strictness of Southern laws and the deviousness of people will keep Willow away from her original intent. Her story will become the center of this novel.
Briar, Willow's brother, has been cast out from the family home. He and Poppy had words because of Briar's actions at a mining camp that involved the oldest son, Luther. Forgiveness is held tightly in the pocket of the proud. The family doesn't realize that Briar is now on a chain gang serving time for possible vagrancy. The judge claimed a man should have at least a dollar to his name or he was looking for trouble. Another man was sentenced to two years because "He was walking without a purpose." Briar is hellbent on returning home and righting any wrongs. His is a remarkable storyline.
And then we have Ardith Dobbs who tends to her secrets and leads a life built on lies. She is currently married to William and lives in an upscale home. But no matter how much fancy lace and silk you wear, the stains of a heartless soul will always seep through. Ardith is the treasurer of the Daisy Ladies' Society which caters to works of charity that disguises the behemoth of the KKK. She and William are active members. The story of Ardith will curl your hair.....
What held this novel so tightly for me was Karla M. Jay's solid weaving of the goodness that resides in humanity. While the tense rays of cruelties and abysmal behaviors tend to pellet life for so many, she steps forward with the strength of the intent of those who will not tolerate such displays. And it is the inner voice of Willow, mute and soundless, who will have the greatest impact on an almost impossible situation. And we'll feel the gong of reverberations even after the last page.....
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Book Circle Press and to Karla M. Jay for the opportunity.
February 21, 2023
“You peel a person’s skin, and everyone looks the same inside. I was raised to believe a black heart is evil. Not black skin.”
Fifteen-year-old Willow Stewart was born mute. She lives with her family in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia on a mountain called Stewart Hill. Willow came up with a way to communicate through hand signaling with her mother and brother Briar. Briar is currently on a chain gang unbeknownst to Willow and her family (they think he is working). Poppy, Willow’s father, instructs her to leave and find a preacher for a burial. Willow’s mother has just given birth to a stillborn and she may not survive herself. So, she takes along some scrap pieces of paper to communicate with and starts her journey to find a preacher from a neighboring town. Little did she know what was in store ahead of her.
Ardith Dobbs has a secret past. She is married to William who is a member of the KKK and Ardith has become a member of the woman’s KKK. To say I despise Ardith’s character would be a gross understatement. The story is told from the POV’s of Willow, Ardith and Briar and all of their stories end up connecting by the end.
There are many heavy, heavy topics in this book that some readers might find very difficult to read. But there is also so much beauty the author was able to intertwine. Her writing skills are exquisite. You want to talk about a book with beautiful prose. Here is an example, “Lightening bugs blink messages to each other. Songbirds done gone silent for the day but as if on cue, the birds of the night are talking. The spooky songs and whinnies of screech owls cut the silence. The moon climbs higher, splashing down a silver glow, and makes the trees look like shadows against the dark purple sky.” Karla M. Jay has made a fan out of me. I am looking forward to reading more of her work. If you are a fan of historical fiction and the 1920’s era, add this one to your TBR pile for sure. It gave me “This Tender Land” vibes by William Kent Krueger if you are looking for a comparison.
The author’s note at the end was very informative and had additional data about all of the topics throughout the book. I learned a great deal of information from it, and it sparked me to do even further research on them. She talked about Daisy Barr who recruited over 75,000 members for the WKKK in Indiana and Ohio. She also talked about the heart-wrenching topic of baby farms and how babies were left to die or be killed or sacrificed for life insurance money. Then there was the topic of chain gangs and how they were used for corporal punishment and all of the mistreatment and ailments members suffered and how Hitler learned a lot about ‘rounding up “unwanted persons” and using them as expendable labor by studying the chain gangs in the South.’ There is so much to learn from this superb book.
“They say God is the friend of silence. Look at nature. The trees, flowers, grass-they all grow in silence. The stars, the moon, and the sun. They move in silence.”
Thank you to the author and Goodreads for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Fifteen-year-old Willow Stewart was born mute. She lives with her family in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia on a mountain called Stewart Hill. Willow came up with a way to communicate through hand signaling with her mother and brother Briar. Briar is currently on a chain gang unbeknownst to Willow and her family (they think he is working). Poppy, Willow’s father, instructs her to leave and find a preacher for a burial. Willow’s mother has just given birth to a stillborn and she may not survive herself. So, she takes along some scrap pieces of paper to communicate with and starts her journey to find a preacher from a neighboring town. Little did she know what was in store ahead of her.
Ardith Dobbs has a secret past. She is married to William who is a member of the KKK and Ardith has become a member of the woman’s KKK. To say I despise Ardith’s character would be a gross understatement. The story is told from the POV’s of Willow, Ardith and Briar and all of their stories end up connecting by the end.
There are many heavy, heavy topics in this book that some readers might find very difficult to read. But there is also so much beauty the author was able to intertwine. Her writing skills are exquisite. You want to talk about a book with beautiful prose. Here is an example, “Lightening bugs blink messages to each other. Songbirds done gone silent for the day but as if on cue, the birds of the night are talking. The spooky songs and whinnies of screech owls cut the silence. The moon climbs higher, splashing down a silver glow, and makes the trees look like shadows against the dark purple sky.” Karla M. Jay has made a fan out of me. I am looking forward to reading more of her work. If you are a fan of historical fiction and the 1920’s era, add this one to your TBR pile for sure. It gave me “This Tender Land” vibes by William Kent Krueger if you are looking for a comparison.
The author’s note at the end was very informative and had additional data about all of the topics throughout the book. I learned a great deal of information from it, and it sparked me to do even further research on them. She talked about Daisy Barr who recruited over 75,000 members for the WKKK in Indiana and Ohio. She also talked about the heart-wrenching topic of baby farms and how babies were left to die or be killed or sacrificed for life insurance money. Then there was the topic of chain gangs and how they were used for corporal punishment and all of the mistreatment and ailments members suffered and how Hitler learned a lot about ‘rounding up “unwanted persons” and using them as expendable labor by studying the chain gangs in the South.’ There is so much to learn from this superb book.
“They say God is the friend of silence. Look at nature. The trees, flowers, grass-they all grow in silence. The stars, the moon, and the sun. They move in silence.”
Thank you to the author and Goodreads for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2021
☆☆☆☆☆
This was my first Goodreads giveaway book for Kindle, and it was a great read! Karla Jay takes her time to address the racial divides, social inequalities and darker topics of the south during the 20's. The one part of this book that really hits home and is important to the whole storyline is “Sometimes a hard choice and the right choice are the same thing.” The flow of the story and character development allows you to see the whole picture and who does and does not live by this principle.
This was my first Goodreads giveaway book for Kindle, and it was a great read! Karla Jay takes her time to address the racial divides, social inequalities and darker topics of the south during the 20's. The one part of this book that really hits home and is important to the whole storyline is “Sometimes a hard choice and the right choice are the same thing.” The flow of the story and character development allows you to see the whole picture and who does and does not live by this principle.
June 26, 2021
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. In other words, I love this fictional rendition of Georgia in the 1920's. The author does a magnificent job of developing the characters and bittersweet plot through the historical details from the time. The good and the bad are given equal space. The dialogue is creative especially for the main character who cannot speak. After finishing the book, I felt as though I'd been in a history class, but not the kind I sat through when I was growing up. Who knew that Hitler used the chain gang method of gathering workers for slave labor. I also was unaware there was a women's KKK. According to the author, they were known as a "A poison squad of whispering women" and were 500,000 strong. The term baby farm was not familiar to me, but from the author's writing I concluded it was indeed a terrible place. Highly recommend this book.
December 30, 2022
This was an advanced reader's copy from Netgalley and the opinions in this review are mine. Sorry I didn't get to this sooner! SO much research in this book, from baby farms and the women's KKK, to riding the rails and chain gang workers. Georgia in the 1920s was not a pleasant place to live!
Earlier this year I read Jack London's The Road which focused on hobos riding the rails and signs. You didn't mess with this house if it had this sign!
One thing I didn't know was how the state of Georgia put off letting women vote for years! From the interwebs--
When the Nineteenth Amendment became the law of the land, women still had to wait to vote because of rules regarding voter registration. White Georgia women would vote statewide in 1922. Native American women and African-American women had to wait longer to vote. Black women were actively excluded from the women's suffrage movement in the state and had their own organizations. Despite their work to vote, Black women faced discrimination at the polls in many different forms. Georgia finally ratified the Nineteenth Amendment on February 20, 1970.
Loved the little newsclips that started each chapter in 1920s font. There's more information about the women's KKK groups in the author's notes and it's estimated that over a half million joined.
Earlier this year I read Jack London's The Road which focused on hobos riding the rails and signs. You didn't mess with this house if it had this sign!
One thing I didn't know was how the state of Georgia put off letting women vote for years! From the interwebs--
When the Nineteenth Amendment became the law of the land, women still had to wait to vote because of rules regarding voter registration. White Georgia women would vote statewide in 1922. Native American women and African-American women had to wait longer to vote. Black women were actively excluded from the women's suffrage movement in the state and had their own organizations. Despite their work to vote, Black women faced discrimination at the polls in many different forms. Georgia finally ratified the Nineteenth Amendment on February 20, 1970.
Loved the little newsclips that started each chapter in 1920s font. There's more information about the women's KKK groups in the author's notes and it's estimated that over a half million joined.
March 1, 2021
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “It Happened in Silence” by Karla M. Jay, Book Circle Press, 2020 On Tour With Suzy Approved Book Tours
Kudos to Karla M. Jay, the author of “It Happened in Silence” for writing such a captivating, riveting, enthralling, compelling, heartbreaking, emotional, and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this novel are historical fiction, southern fiction, and family and domestic fiction. The timeline for this story is set around 1921 near the Appalachian Mountains, in Georgia. The author contrasts the good and evil in society. This is a time when contrasts between wealth and poverty could mean freedom, and living vs. servitude and death. In this time law and justice could be bought in many cases and were unfairly biased. This is a time when prejudice existed, and Black and white people were not treated equally. This is also the time when handicapped and physically challenged people weren’t accepted by society. Women didn’t have the same rights as men, and some wealthier women belonged to the KKK. Children of poor families could wind up in orphanages, and some babies were in baby farms, There were betrayals, secrets, and attempts at keeping things a mystery.
I appreciate that Karla M. Jay vividly describes the characters, events, and historical significance in this story. This is an emotional and tragic view of the very worst in society, yet, some people were brave, kind, and helpful. The author describes her dramatic characters as flawed, complex, and complicated. Some were mean-spirited and evil. Some were courageous and brave.
Willow Stewart, is 15 years old and mute. When her newly born baby brother dies she has to find her brother Briar, and a preacher. Unfortunately, Willow doesn’t realize that her brother is in a chain gain serving a prison term. She also isn’t quite aware of the danger and greedy men and the corrupt system. Willow is capable of writing and sign language, but finds herself in trouble, and needs help. I highly recommend this memorable novel.
Kudos to Karla M. Jay, the author of “It Happened in Silence” for writing such a captivating, riveting, enthralling, compelling, heartbreaking, emotional, and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this novel are historical fiction, southern fiction, and family and domestic fiction. The timeline for this story is set around 1921 near the Appalachian Mountains, in Georgia. The author contrasts the good and evil in society. This is a time when contrasts between wealth and poverty could mean freedom, and living vs. servitude and death. In this time law and justice could be bought in many cases and were unfairly biased. This is a time when prejudice existed, and Black and white people were not treated equally. This is also the time when handicapped and physically challenged people weren’t accepted by society. Women didn’t have the same rights as men, and some wealthier women belonged to the KKK. Children of poor families could wind up in orphanages, and some babies were in baby farms, There were betrayals, secrets, and attempts at keeping things a mystery.
I appreciate that Karla M. Jay vividly describes the characters, events, and historical significance in this story. This is an emotional and tragic view of the very worst in society, yet, some people were brave, kind, and helpful. The author describes her dramatic characters as flawed, complex, and complicated. Some were mean-spirited and evil. Some were courageous and brave.
Willow Stewart, is 15 years old and mute. When her newly born baby brother dies she has to find her brother Briar, and a preacher. Unfortunately, Willow doesn’t realize that her brother is in a chain gain serving a prison term. She also isn’t quite aware of the danger and greedy men and the corrupt system. Willow is capable of writing and sign language, but finds herself in trouble, and needs help. I highly recommend this memorable novel.
March 25, 2021
This is a deep look into a family during a time of unrest, racial divide and social injustice. A time when rich women were KKK. The story is set in the Appalachian mountains of Georgia during the 1920's. I love southern fiction that that digs deep into history. This was gritty,heartbreaking and I was easily placed into this part of history and madness. This wasn't an easy read but I breezed right through it. I felt so many things reading this and the characters you don't easily forget.
Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
March 20, 2022
This book is gorgeous. The topics are heavy and dark, but the author somehow balances it out with delicacy and beauty. This one will stick with you. I can’t wait to read another book from this author.
May 1, 2024
Good
This started slow for me but I'm so glad I kept reading because wow! There are some twists I didn't see coming at all.
This started slow for me but I'm so glad I kept reading because wow! There are some twists I didn't see coming at all.
May 5, 2023
Thank you Amazon, for giving me the opportunity to read this ebook for free, sure glad I picked it up when it was $0.00.
What a wonderful read. Takes place mostly in Marietta, Georgia and the surrounding areas.
I learned so much from this historical research that the wonderful author did concerning the WKKK.
It brings so much sadness, having a hard time getting the facts out of my head. I guess the thing that sticks out for me, this was taking place in the 1920’s, and it’s almost the exact thing that Hitler did in Germany with more hatred added to the mix.
The character build up in this novel was extraordinary. I knew from the beginning that all of the characters would end up connected to each other, but have to say, didn’t see it exactly like this.
Love and hatred… such a very thin line we walk and the things that we do in the name of both.
I think this book should be read by all high schoolers so they can fully understand what went on before them, and know that we have improved, but yet, a century later, we are still struggling with the same battles of sin. I wonder how many KKK costumes can be found in old attics tucked away in old chests… let’s just be sure to keep them there.
I really appreciated how the author told this story with all the ugliness, but still can be read with all the vulgar that we see in so many books that are written.
Just get it and read it… and pass it along to the next person to read it!
What a wonderful read. Takes place mostly in Marietta, Georgia and the surrounding areas.
I learned so much from this historical research that the wonderful author did concerning the WKKK.
It brings so much sadness, having a hard time getting the facts out of my head. I guess the thing that sticks out for me, this was taking place in the 1920’s, and it’s almost the exact thing that Hitler did in Germany with more hatred added to the mix.
The character build up in this novel was extraordinary. I knew from the beginning that all of the characters would end up connected to each other, but have to say, didn’t see it exactly like this.
Love and hatred… such a very thin line we walk and the things that we do in the name of both.
I think this book should be read by all high schoolers so they can fully understand what went on before them, and know that we have improved, but yet, a century later, we are still struggling with the same battles of sin. I wonder how many KKK costumes can be found in old attics tucked away in old chests… let’s just be sure to keep them there.
I really appreciated how the author told this story with all the ugliness, but still can be read with all the vulgar that we see in so many books that are written.
Just get it and read it… and pass it along to the next person to read it!
October 15, 2021
First, I must give a caution here. Due to the covered time period 1920’s being a very shameful time in our country’s history there maybe parts to this story that are very painful to read. I know this was a very emotional read for me and maybe for you. Despite the difficulty I urge you to read this book. It is beautifully written and even the most difficult parts are only addressed as necessary to tell the story. Each scene is handled sensitively, there is no sensationalism here. Some of the covered topics are racism, sexism, the kkk, the wkkk, baby farms and chain gangs.
It was a time when kindness was often only extended to those similar to oneself and Justice was only available if you were white, wealthy and in the south, Protestant. To avoid ruining the book for anyone I will not go further then telling you a little bit about the narrators of the story.
Willow is our female protagonist. She has been mute since birth but hears well and can read and write and utilizes a sign language she and her mother created. After her brother dies at birth and her mother suffers complications she is tasked with leaving the mountain they live on to go and get the preacher. Trouble finds Willow along the way and it is her struggle to get home that her part of the story centers on.
Brier is Willows’ brother. He left home 15 months prior to the start of our story. He rode the rails for a time going from job to job. He is now serving time on a chain gang making turpentine in the woods. He has 4 months left on his sentence and is a trustee. He avoids anything that will jeopardize his freedom. Oh, his crime was not having at least a dollar in his pocket.
Ardith is a well to do wife and mother. She is very active in several social clubs, charity work and the WKKK. She is very proud of all her activities and her standing in the community is of utmost concern. She uses lies and manipulation to get out of situations, mostly of her own creation. Is she an evil bigot or just a product of her time?
This book is flawless. The author has done a great job evoking time and place. Characters are fully fleshed out and act according to the time period.
This book is strongly suggested for those who love accurate, well plotted and detailed Historical Fiction.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Books Go Social and Netgalley. This fact in no way influenced my review.
It was a time when kindness was often only extended to those similar to oneself and Justice was only available if you were white, wealthy and in the south, Protestant. To avoid ruining the book for anyone I will not go further then telling you a little bit about the narrators of the story.
Willow is our female protagonist. She has been mute since birth but hears well and can read and write and utilizes a sign language she and her mother created. After her brother dies at birth and her mother suffers complications she is tasked with leaving the mountain they live on to go and get the preacher. Trouble finds Willow along the way and it is her struggle to get home that her part of the story centers on.
Brier is Willows’ brother. He left home 15 months prior to the start of our story. He rode the rails for a time going from job to job. He is now serving time on a chain gang making turpentine in the woods. He has 4 months left on his sentence and is a trustee. He avoids anything that will jeopardize his freedom. Oh, his crime was not having at least a dollar in his pocket.
Ardith is a well to do wife and mother. She is very active in several social clubs, charity work and the WKKK. She is very proud of all her activities and her standing in the community is of utmost concern. She uses lies and manipulation to get out of situations, mostly of her own creation. Is she an evil bigot or just a product of her time?
This book is flawless. The author has done a great job evoking time and place. Characters are fully fleshed out and act according to the time period.
This book is strongly suggested for those who love accurate, well plotted and detailed Historical Fiction.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Books Go Social and Netgalley. This fact in no way influenced my review.
January 28, 2021
“It Happened in Silence” conquers Southern history in an intensely emotional and thrilling way. From chain gangs of the 1920s to the women’s KKK, author Karla M. Jay gives readers a spectacular work of historical fiction.
Willow is mute, has been since birth, thus everything that happens to her is met with silence. Fortunately, this book follows not just Willow, but her brother Briar and Ardith, a member of the women’s KKK movement. Briar left the family homestead after the death of his oldest brother in a mining accident 15 months ago, vowing to never return. However, while wandering in his new life he stumbles into a corrupt town and finds himself on a prison chain gang – a popular Georgia labor tactic in the 1920s. “It Happened in Silence” also provides us a third and seemingly unrelated narrator, Ardith. Ardith may be hiding a secret, but on the outside she’s a well-off member of the women’s KKK. Each of our three narrators has more in common than first meets the eye and the winding together of their stories makes this a surprisingly delightful read despite the heavy themes and less than glamourous history of Georgia.
Ultimately, Willow is our lead heroine and the character readers will cheer for throughout her Herculean attempts to send word to her brother about events on the family homestead. While Willow is looked down upon for being mute, she navigates the world off her family’s mountain in ways that prove her strength and lessen any “weaknesses” she may outwardly possess. Each of the three characters are slowly woven together throughout the story, adding deeply to the narrative building while allowing readers to grasp the significant social class structures present within the state of Georgia. Jay brings perspective, kindness and darkness to her plots that draw readers ever nearer to the unlikely finale.
“It Happened in Silence” touches on life in the Appalachian Mountains, chain gangs, women’s KKK, eugenics, living with disabilities and other monumental historical moments in Georgian history. The stories of different social classes are brought to life as Jay navigates the complexities of one’s upbringing and identity. A distinctly moving read that will certainly leave readers thinking about the history of the United States and the strangers they surround themselves with.
Willow is mute, has been since birth, thus everything that happens to her is met with silence. Fortunately, this book follows not just Willow, but her brother Briar and Ardith, a member of the women’s KKK movement. Briar left the family homestead after the death of his oldest brother in a mining accident 15 months ago, vowing to never return. However, while wandering in his new life he stumbles into a corrupt town and finds himself on a prison chain gang – a popular Georgia labor tactic in the 1920s. “It Happened in Silence” also provides us a third and seemingly unrelated narrator, Ardith. Ardith may be hiding a secret, but on the outside she’s a well-off member of the women’s KKK. Each of our three narrators has more in common than first meets the eye and the winding together of their stories makes this a surprisingly delightful read despite the heavy themes and less than glamourous history of Georgia.
Ultimately, Willow is our lead heroine and the character readers will cheer for throughout her Herculean attempts to send word to her brother about events on the family homestead. While Willow is looked down upon for being mute, she navigates the world off her family’s mountain in ways that prove her strength and lessen any “weaknesses” she may outwardly possess. Each of the three characters are slowly woven together throughout the story, adding deeply to the narrative building while allowing readers to grasp the significant social class structures present within the state of Georgia. Jay brings perspective, kindness and darkness to her plots that draw readers ever nearer to the unlikely finale.
“It Happened in Silence” touches on life in the Appalachian Mountains, chain gangs, women’s KKK, eugenics, living with disabilities and other monumental historical moments in Georgian history. The stories of different social classes are brought to life as Jay navigates the complexities of one’s upbringing and identity. A distinctly moving read that will certainly leave readers thinking about the history of the United States and the strangers they surround themselves with.
January 9, 2021
In the hands of a talented author, historical fiction shines a deep and effective light on so much we don't know. IT HAPPENED IN SILENCE is a heartbreaking, intensely compelling look into a totally ugly era of History, one of which we are rightfully ashamed, yet an era which simultaneously produced the glorious inspiration that was young Helen Keller, and the heroine (in every sense) of this novel, the mute15-year-old girl, Willow. An extraordinary story indeed.
March 19, 2021
Three great characters and the descriptions or fantastic. I can see it so vividly just from the writing and the details. I was very surprised how fast I read this I had to know what was happening next and before I knew it I was done with the book.
4 stars and I hope that you grab a copy.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
4 stars and I hope that you grab a copy.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
March 18, 2021
With a protagonist that has been mute since birth, Karla M. Jay takes us on a journey through a tragic and shadowy time in American history. We are immersed in the world of 1921 Georgia, a world full of racism, injustice, the KKK, and horrors done in the name of service. Yet through a young girl’s hopeful actions, we see that among the ruins of evil, love can find a way.
Fifteen-year-old Willow Stewart lives with her family on their Appalachian homestead. When her mama falls gravely ill after birthing, she is sent out to find a preacher and her big brother Briar. But Willow encounters much trouble along the way. Thinking she is being kind, as her mama taught her, she ends up being forced to serve time as a servant for a wealthy family that is part of the KKK. Willow sees and hears things that are beyond heartbreaking and cruel.
Willow also crosses paths with Briar only to learn that he is serving time on the brutal chain gang. He has four months left on his sentence, but like Willow, he can’t help but help those in need, even if it costs him everything.
Although Willow has no voice, she is determined to make a noise about all the atrocities she has witnessed. People assumed she had little ability because she was mute, but what they truly underestimated was her big heart.
Jay’s brilliant use of the vernacular and historical signposts of the time made the narrative feel authentic and genuine. As hard as some of the events were to read, Willow and Briar are two bright stars in this dark backdrop of history.
TW: infant death, racism, sexual assault, abuse.
Fifteen-year-old Willow Stewart lives with her family on their Appalachian homestead. When her mama falls gravely ill after birthing, she is sent out to find a preacher and her big brother Briar. But Willow encounters much trouble along the way. Thinking she is being kind, as her mama taught her, she ends up being forced to serve time as a servant for a wealthy family that is part of the KKK. Willow sees and hears things that are beyond heartbreaking and cruel.
Willow also crosses paths with Briar only to learn that he is serving time on the brutal chain gang. He has four months left on his sentence, but like Willow, he can’t help but help those in need, even if it costs him everything.
Although Willow has no voice, she is determined to make a noise about all the atrocities she has witnessed. People assumed she had little ability because she was mute, but what they truly underestimated was her big heart.
Jay’s brilliant use of the vernacular and historical signposts of the time made the narrative feel authentic and genuine. As hard as some of the events were to read, Willow and Briar are two bright stars in this dark backdrop of history.
TW: infant death, racism, sexual assault, abuse.
March 20, 2021
Set in Georgia, 1921. Willow is fifteen and she has been mute since birth. All she wants to do now is to escape her Appalachian Homestead and find her Brother Briar.
This was such an emotional and captivating story. I really liked how the author differentiates and compares wealth and poverty and good and evil in society.
This story made me so emotional I had shivers reading it. It is so sad that freedom was so out of reach for so many people. How unequal and unfair their life was.
I don’t know how to write my feelings about this book. Reading this book I admired Karla M Jay for this heartbreaking, emotional, and thought-provoking novel.
Many thanks to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @karla.m.jay for this gifted copy
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November 24, 2020
Karla Jay has done it again. Much like her previous novel, When We Were Brave, It Happened in Silence weaves a tale of suffering and loss, love and compassion, friendship and family loyalty, while educating the reader about truths that we will not find in our history books. Told in three voices, the setting of this book is Georgia 1921 and highlights topics including women of the KKK, baby farms, chain gangs and more. Ms. Jay has a talent for words as well as character development and you will not want the book to end. Read it…you will not be sorry.
March 24, 2021
Let me start by saying this is a difficult book to read. Not because of the writing, that is incredibly well done, but because of the content. This book takes place in 1920s Georgia, where inequalities and racism run rampant. Fifteen year old Willow was born mute. When she has to set out to find her brother Briar and a preacher, she ends up not only kidnapped, but once she escapes that, she is unjustly arrested and ends up in penal servitude. Little does she know that her brother was sentenced to a chain gang and has some difficult choices to make. This is not just a story of poverty injustice but the KKK and the prevalence of popularity of it with women, especially wealthy ones, who would mistreat their own neighbors for the sake of this horrid organization. It's a testament to the author's talent that she could use such beautiful writing to cover such topics as injustice and hardships, intolerance and racism. As difficult as the topics are I can't recommend this book enough. Thank you to Suzy’s Approved Book Tours and Karla Jay for the review copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
November 11, 2021
I have not finished this as yet. However, I can tell you that it is so good that it was the first thing I thought of this morning and began reading BEFORE COFFEE! That's saying something. Set in the south in the early 1920's, it is a complex novel, dealing with multiple complex themes. At it's heart, it is about power and powerlessness. It's told in first person through the eyes of multiple characters. I am absolutely loving it. I highly recommend it, and I will be seeking out other works by this very talented author.
January 30, 2021
It Happened in Silence by Karla M. Jay
The book is set around 1921 in the south. We follow three lead characters throughout the book: Willow Stewart, a fifteen year old mute girl; Briar Stewart, Willow's twenty-one year old brother, who has been out on his own for about a year, working his way across the country; and Mrs. Ardith Dobbs, an evil woman involved with WKKK, Women's Klu Klux Klan organization.
,
Willow has been sent down from her homeplace at Stewart Mountain in the Appalachian Mountains to the nearest town with a preacher, to bring him back to perform her baby brother's funeral service. She gets sidetracked through no fault of her own, and eventually runs into her oldest brother Briar.
Briar Stewart has been pressed into a chain gang, for having less than $1.00 in his pocket, while in town. He has eventually worked up to the position of Trustee, where he is allowed more freedoms, than a regular inmate. He is working in a lumber camp, under a sadistic guard named Taggert.
Mrs. Ardith Dobbs is the wife of a prominent advertising executive in Marietta, Georgia. She has a five year old son and is also very pregnant. Ardith thinks that she's too good for everyone around her and smarter than everyone. She has dealings with an unscrupulous baby farm, as she attempts to pass off more lies. She's always getting into horrible scrapes that are very damaging to those around her, but she barely manages to lie her way through them. One day, it all catches up to her. She is a member and the treasurer for WKKK, Women's Klu Klux Klan.
The Stewart siblings come together at Ardith's home as Ardith's lies are catching up to her and threatening everything she holds dear.
The book is dedicated to all those who do and have suffered unspeakable horrors because of the small mindedness of the society around them.
This time in our history is very shameful, for the way others are treated, because when you get down to the basics of life, all people are the same color once you peel back their skin.
Many thanks to IBPA Publishing and NetGalley for the complimentary copy, I was under no obligation to post a review.
The book is set around 1921 in the south. We follow three lead characters throughout the book: Willow Stewart, a fifteen year old mute girl; Briar Stewart, Willow's twenty-one year old brother, who has been out on his own for about a year, working his way across the country; and Mrs. Ardith Dobbs, an evil woman involved with WKKK, Women's Klu Klux Klan organization.
,
Willow has been sent down from her homeplace at Stewart Mountain in the Appalachian Mountains to the nearest town with a preacher, to bring him back to perform her baby brother's funeral service. She gets sidetracked through no fault of her own, and eventually runs into her oldest brother Briar.
Briar Stewart has been pressed into a chain gang, for having less than $1.00 in his pocket, while in town. He has eventually worked up to the position of Trustee, where he is allowed more freedoms, than a regular inmate. He is working in a lumber camp, under a sadistic guard named Taggert.
Mrs. Ardith Dobbs is the wife of a prominent advertising executive in Marietta, Georgia. She has a five year old son and is also very pregnant. Ardith thinks that she's too good for everyone around her and smarter than everyone. She has dealings with an unscrupulous baby farm, as she attempts to pass off more lies. She's always getting into horrible scrapes that are very damaging to those around her, but she barely manages to lie her way through them. One day, it all catches up to her. She is a member and the treasurer for WKKK, Women's Klu Klux Klan.
The Stewart siblings come together at Ardith's home as Ardith's lies are catching up to her and threatening everything she holds dear.
The book is dedicated to all those who do and have suffered unspeakable horrors because of the small mindedness of the society around them.
This time in our history is very shameful, for the way others are treated, because when you get down to the basics of life, all people are the same color once you peel back their skin.
Many thanks to IBPA Publishing and NetGalley for the complimentary copy, I was under no obligation to post a review.
January 23, 2021
I received a copy of this book on my kindle from the goodreads giveaway. I very much liked this well written book by Karla M. Jay. The author's book is seen through the eyes of three different characters. Willow, a fifteen year old mute girl, Briar her older brother, and Ardith a woman who has joined "society" but has a big secret. Willow is trying to get news to her brother Briar, about their family. She is kidnapped by a man and this is the beginning of six weeks taken from her family where one thing leads to another. Her brother Briar is unfairly arrested and is miles away on a chain gang. Ardith has been married into society. She has a five year old son and due for another baby. She is NOT a good person. She is a member of the women for the kkk. She also "helps out" by taking babies who are born into poverty and other reasons and gives them to this society foster system that is supposed to help these babies find new homes but has other sinister ideas for the babies. It is not too big of a surprise that each of these lives will intertwine during the writing of this book. I liked it was seen through three different characters. There are other characters who also have parts in this book as well. I think those who like historical fiction may like this book. I sure did.!
March 30, 2021
Book clubs, English teachers, anyone looking for a genuinely thought provoking novel - It Happened In Silence needs to go straight to the top of your list! Karla M Jay has written an emotionally riveting coming of age historical fiction novel that is begging to be discussed!
The author's fluent southern dialect immediately draws you into this story and the moment I met Willow, I was hooked. Her courage, faith, loyalty, and sheer survival instincts make her instantly captivating. Her older brother Briar, wrought with grief and guilt shares the same sense of morality and strong family bond but Ardith, a reprehensible roaring woman of the 20’s-is the exact opposite. Ignorant, manipulative, full of deceit and lies; she is willing to do whatever it takes to secure her place with the WKKK. It Happened In Silence is masterfully written, illuminating the social injustices of a time period so many years ago and yet still so very relevant today and reminding us… “If you light a lamp for someone, it will also brighten your path”
The author's fluent southern dialect immediately draws you into this story and the moment I met Willow, I was hooked. Her courage, faith, loyalty, and sheer survival instincts make her instantly captivating. Her older brother Briar, wrought with grief and guilt shares the same sense of morality and strong family bond but Ardith, a reprehensible roaring woman of the 20’s-is the exact opposite. Ignorant, manipulative, full of deceit and lies; she is willing to do whatever it takes to secure her place with the WKKK. It Happened In Silence is masterfully written, illuminating the social injustices of a time period so many years ago and yet still so very relevant today and reminding us… “If you light a lamp for someone, it will also brighten your path”
September 16, 2021
This truly is one of the best historical fictions I have ever read, and I appreciate the effort and time the writer put into research. The book feels authentic and is interesting from the perspective of a total history enthusiast.
This book does not sugar coat, especially the lack of equality during the time. The characters are made to feel complex and raw, even with the clear difference in decade, they are still relatable. Over all, this book is great and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction.
This book does not sugar coat, especially the lack of equality during the time. The characters are made to feel complex and raw, even with the clear difference in decade, they are still relatable. Over all, this book is great and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction.
May 7, 2023
"It Happened in Silence" is a historical fiction novel which takes place in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia in 1920. The story is told from the points of view of the three main characters, Willow, Briar and Ardith Dobbs.
Willow Stewart is 15 years old and was born mute. She lives with her family on Stewart Hill. Most generally, she communicates with a pad of paper and pencil, but has developed a form of communication through hand signals with her brother Briar and her mother. She is sent on an important mission, by Poppy (her father) down the mountain to "fetch a preacher". The trip down the mountain becomes a weeks long journey in which Willow faces assault, corrupt law enforcement and racism.
Briar is Willow's older brother. The Stewart family believes Briar is working at a lumber business, but is actually on a chain gang connected to a prison known for mistreatment of the prisoners by extreme corporal punishment. The one prison guard in charge of the chain gang does whatever he wants to the prisoners without any fear of reprisal. All Briar wants is to get back home to Stewart Hill and he is willing to do almost anything for that to happen.
Ardith Dobbs is living a secret life. She is married and has one child, a boy, and is pregnant with another. Her husband, William, is an important member of the KKK and Ardith proudly has become a member of the woman's KKK. Ardith's secret life comes back to haunt her when the family nanny, Miss Jo-Jo, who is also pregnant, delivers her child. Ardith decides to take the newborn to a baby farm, in which she is paid for the newborn. Ardith takes a dead child to give to Miss Jo-Jo, as she told Miss Jo-Jo her child was born dead.
Through creative and historically correct writing, the stories of Willow, Briar and Ardith connect together at the end in a way that one doesn't see coming. The reader is confronted with topics of the time and place such as the KKK and the women's KKK and how the lives of members were controlled by the morality of those organizations. Baby farms are explained as places where babies were left to die, be killed or sacrificed for life insurance money. The author conducted extensive research on those topics. and others, of the time.
The reader becomes close to the characters (with the possible exception of Ardith), and can feel the pain, unfairness and humiliation that Willow and Briar feel. There is so much to learn from this exceptional book.
Willow Stewart is 15 years old and was born mute. She lives with her family on Stewart Hill. Most generally, she communicates with a pad of paper and pencil, but has developed a form of communication through hand signals with her brother Briar and her mother. She is sent on an important mission, by Poppy (her father) down the mountain to "fetch a preacher". The trip down the mountain becomes a weeks long journey in which Willow faces assault, corrupt law enforcement and racism.
Briar is Willow's older brother. The Stewart family believes Briar is working at a lumber business, but is actually on a chain gang connected to a prison known for mistreatment of the prisoners by extreme corporal punishment. The one prison guard in charge of the chain gang does whatever he wants to the prisoners without any fear of reprisal. All Briar wants is to get back home to Stewart Hill and he is willing to do almost anything for that to happen.
Ardith Dobbs is living a secret life. She is married and has one child, a boy, and is pregnant with another. Her husband, William, is an important member of the KKK and Ardith proudly has become a member of the woman's KKK. Ardith's secret life comes back to haunt her when the family nanny, Miss Jo-Jo, who is also pregnant, delivers her child. Ardith decides to take the newborn to a baby farm, in which she is paid for the newborn. Ardith takes a dead child to give to Miss Jo-Jo, as she told Miss Jo-Jo her child was born dead.
Through creative and historically correct writing, the stories of Willow, Briar and Ardith connect together at the end in a way that one doesn't see coming. The reader is confronted with topics of the time and place such as the KKK and the women's KKK and how the lives of members were controlled by the morality of those organizations. Baby farms are explained as places where babies were left to die, be killed or sacrificed for life insurance money. The author conducted extensive research on those topics. and others, of the time.
The reader becomes close to the characters (with the possible exception of Ardith), and can feel the pain, unfairness and humiliation that Willow and Briar feel. There is so much to learn from this exceptional book.
February 27, 2022
I was not familiar with this author or the book until I saw it listed as a Goodreads giveaway. And I won it! Wow! It is a wonderful story of family ties, injustice and survival. The story takes place in May and June, 1921, primarily in Georgia cities. The book rotates between the stories of 3 people…..Willow Stewart, who leaves her home at 15 to ride her beloved horse into a town to find a preacher that is needed back at her homestead; Ardith Dobbs, a wealthy socialite with a secret past who is now involved with the Women’s Ku Klux Klan and Briar Stewart, Willow’s brother who left the family to ride the rails after an argument with his Poppy. This story covers a remarkable time in US history and touches upon the KKK, baby farms, hobo life and chain gangs. It is hard to read at times given some of that subject manner but the author writes beautiful and I was totally immersed in the lives of Willow, Ardith and Briar.
January 28, 2021
Family loyalty overcomes all.
Wonderful main characters who never waver in their quest to be reunited, Willow and Briar never lose sight of their need to find each other. I learned about so many things in this book, things my mind cannot imagine going through; I never realized there were women in the KKK, and I didn't know that the so-called "baby farms" were a prevalent thing. I had heard about chain gangs, but nothing in-depth, and knew only a little about hobos. Parts of this were absolutely heart-wrenching, but the will for sister and brother to reunite with their family overcame any sadness. A wonderful story.
Wonderful main characters who never waver in their quest to be reunited, Willow and Briar never lose sight of their need to find each other. I learned about so many things in this book, things my mind cannot imagine going through; I never realized there were women in the KKK, and I didn't know that the so-called "baby farms" were a prevalent thing. I had heard about chain gangs, but nothing in-depth, and knew only a little about hobos. Parts of this were absolutely heart-wrenching, but the will for sister and brother to reunite with their family overcame any sadness. A wonderful story.
January 25, 2021
*I won this book from a Goodreads first-reads giveaway.
It Happened in Silence is the second book I have read by Karla M. Jay. When we were Brave was an absolutely outstanding book so when I was saw this book, I knew I had to read it. This book was also outstanding. telling a tale filled with family, loyalty, suffering and friendship. This novel was told in three voices in Georgia 1921, and deals with the KKK, baby farms and chain gangs. It was chilling reading the happenings of some of the characters. The character development was incredible and the description of the scenery made you think you were there. Love this author and can't wait to see what she has in store next!
It Happened in Silence is the second book I have read by Karla M. Jay. When we were Brave was an absolutely outstanding book so when I was saw this book, I knew I had to read it. This book was also outstanding. telling a tale filled with family, loyalty, suffering and friendship. This novel was told in three voices in Georgia 1921, and deals with the KKK, baby farms and chain gangs. It was chilling reading the happenings of some of the characters. The character development was incredible and the description of the scenery made you think you were there. Love this author and can't wait to see what she has in store next!
June 6, 2021
This was a GR giveaway win for my Kindle, and I cannot thank the author & published enough! When I started this book I almost set it aside because I was finding it hard to follow. I kept going and WOW! Although this book was dark and depressing it was a well told story. As I do not like to "retell" the story in a review, I will say I would not have wanted to be in Georgia in 1921. This book was well researched and beautifully written. Thank You Karla M. Jay!
October 16, 2022
The 1920's were not so roaring.
1921 a big change in society attitudes is at the heart of this difficult to put down story. As the characters push through real hardships you get an eye opening tale of chain gangs. The low value of children at the time. Horable deeds done in the name of Chrisianity. The rise of the women of the Ku klux Klan. The awful times people endured here after world War one. A very good read and a peak into our history.
1921 a big change in society attitudes is at the heart of this difficult to put down story. As the characters push through real hardships you get an eye opening tale of chain gangs. The low value of children at the time. Horable deeds done in the name of Chrisianity. The rise of the women of the Ku klux Klan. The awful times people endured here after world War one. A very good read and a peak into our history.
April 27, 2021
A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
18th December 2020
TITLE: IT HAPPENED IN SILENCE
AUTHOR: ¬ Karla M. Jay
Star Rating: *****
‘An inspiring story of injustice and family loyalty set in turbulent 1920s Georgia. Powerfully written and totally unputdownable!’ Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I must begin by saying I did enjoy this novel very much. Any story which attempts to discuss injustice and family strength, whether it be set in England today or in 1920s America, is very welcome on my bookshelf.
This is not a novel with a single theme. There are a number running through it: the terrible treatment of prisoners working in chain gangs, the influence of the KKK movement and the tragic effect it had on women, and, most importantly, how decency can still be discovered in the darkest moments of history
This is a very well-written historical novel. The author is adept at many aspects of writing, from character development to plot development, from helping the reader to immerse themselves in the setting, to helping the reader understand the many, many problems of the day. She is also very good with speech. I recently read another historical novel set in the deep south. I enjoyed it, but my enjoyment was marred by the insistence of the author to give the hero such a strong dialect, I could hardly understand a word he uttered. Thankfully, this author has not fallen into that trap. Yes, there is a dialect there, but, thankfully, it is understandable, even to me, a lass from Yorkshire!
This is very much a character-driven story. The author seems determined for her readers to understand all her characters – even the secondary - and, I must say, she’s very talented at it. At the end of this book, I felt I knew Willow so well. She’s a wonderful – and slightly tragic - character to fall in love with!
And now to the important bit. Can I recommend this book? The answer of course is yes, totally. Who to? Well, any student of American history will find this of interest. The author knows the time well and any student would learn much from such rich pickings. It Happened In Silence is very much an historical novel so, naturally, readers of such novels will find much to enjoy here. If you happen to be a fan of Laura Frantz’s Uncommon Woman or The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, this novel is for you.
Enjoy! This book’s a gem!
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: It Happened in Silence
Author: Karla M. Jay
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 21
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 21 readers:
20 would read another book by this author.
18 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
21 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
18 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
21 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A strongly written historical novel with fully fleshed out characters.’ Male reader, aged 43
‘I thought this was a compelling read. The theme of ‘strength in the face of injustice’ was an excellent hook helped by excellently developed writing skills. A very visual novel with solid pacing; it felt historically accurate too.’ Female reader, aged 53
‘The way the author shifted between the characters was superbly planned and worked well.’ Male reader, aged 62
‘In light of the last 4 years of Trump, this is a thoughtful reminder of how injustice must be fought. This writer is talented with a good eye for her characters and forcing them to face hellish dilemmas.’ Male reader, aged 66
To Sum It Up:
‘A thought-provoking historical novel, superbly written and utterly gripping. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
18th December 2020
TITLE: IT HAPPENED IN SILENCE
AUTHOR: ¬ Karla M. Jay
Star Rating: *****
‘An inspiring story of injustice and family loyalty set in turbulent 1920s Georgia. Powerfully written and totally unputdownable!’ Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I must begin by saying I did enjoy this novel very much. Any story which attempts to discuss injustice and family strength, whether it be set in England today or in 1920s America, is very welcome on my bookshelf.
This is not a novel with a single theme. There are a number running through it: the terrible treatment of prisoners working in chain gangs, the influence of the KKK movement and the tragic effect it had on women, and, most importantly, how decency can still be discovered in the darkest moments of history
This is a very well-written historical novel. The author is adept at many aspects of writing, from character development to plot development, from helping the reader to immerse themselves in the setting, to helping the reader understand the many, many problems of the day. She is also very good with speech. I recently read another historical novel set in the deep south. I enjoyed it, but my enjoyment was marred by the insistence of the author to give the hero such a strong dialect, I could hardly understand a word he uttered. Thankfully, this author has not fallen into that trap. Yes, there is a dialect there, but, thankfully, it is understandable, even to me, a lass from Yorkshire!
This is very much a character-driven story. The author seems determined for her readers to understand all her characters – even the secondary - and, I must say, she’s very talented at it. At the end of this book, I felt I knew Willow so well. She’s a wonderful – and slightly tragic - character to fall in love with!
And now to the important bit. Can I recommend this book? The answer of course is yes, totally. Who to? Well, any student of American history will find this of interest. The author knows the time well and any student would learn much from such rich pickings. It Happened In Silence is very much an historical novel so, naturally, readers of such novels will find much to enjoy here. If you happen to be a fan of Laura Frantz’s Uncommon Woman or The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, this novel is for you.
Enjoy! This book’s a gem!
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: It Happened in Silence
Author: Karla M. Jay
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 21
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 21 readers:
20 would read another book by this author.
18 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
21 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
18 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
21 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A strongly written historical novel with fully fleshed out characters.’ Male reader, aged 43
‘I thought this was a compelling read. The theme of ‘strength in the face of injustice’ was an excellent hook helped by excellently developed writing skills. A very visual novel with solid pacing; it felt historically accurate too.’ Female reader, aged 53
‘The way the author shifted between the characters was superbly planned and worked well.’ Male reader, aged 62
‘In light of the last 4 years of Trump, this is a thoughtful reminder of how injustice must be fought. This writer is talented with a good eye for her characters and forcing them to face hellish dilemmas.’ Male reader, aged 66
To Sum It Up:
‘A thought-provoking historical novel, superbly written and utterly gripping. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
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