The Raging Quiet

The Raging Quiet follows sixteen-year-old Marnie, who moves to a remote seaside village with her new husband. After becoming widowed, she forms a connection with Raven, a local young man whom the villagers believe to be mad. Marnie discovers that Raven is deaf, not mad, and begins developing a sign language to communicate with him. Their growing friendship draws suspicion from the superstitious townspeople, who view their unconventional relationship with distrust. The story takes place in a medieval-like setting where fear and misunderstanding drive the persecution of those who are different. Through Marnie's perspective, the narrative explores themes of prejudice, isolation, and the courage to challenge societal assumptions about disability and human connection.

Readers connect deeply with the central romance and the themes of prejudice, isolation, and finding acceptance. Many highlight the atmospheric medieval setting and the sensitive portrayal of disability. Reviewers note the book's emotional impact and character development, particularly appreciating the growth of the two main characters. Readers praised: - The slow-building romance - Historical accuracy - Treatment of serious themes with care - Strong female protagonist - Authentic portrayal of village life Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in the first third - Some plot points strain credibility - Religious elements too heavy-handed for some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (200+ ratings) "A beautiful story that stays with you long after reading" appears frequently in reviews. Multiple readers note they've re-read the book multiple times, with one Goodreads reviewer stating "I've read this annually for 10 years."

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Plain Kate by Erin Bow A woodcarver's daughter in medieval Russia trades her shadow to a stranger and forms a connection with a mysterious boy while fleeing persecution from villagers who believe her a witch.

The Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale A maid locked in a tower with her mistress forms an unexpected bond with a young man through their exchanges of messages during her imprisonment.

East by Edith Pattou A Norwegian girl follows a mysterious white bear to his castle and uncovers the truth about his curse while defying her family's expectations.

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📖 Author Sherryl Jordan worked as both a pottery teacher and factory worker before becoming a full-time writer in 1988 🏰 The novel's setting was inspired by medieval Scotland and Ireland, though it takes place in a fictional coastal village 🤝 The book explores historical attitudes toward deafness and sign language, featuring one of the earliest known forms of home sign language development between two characters 🎨 Jordan's detailed descriptions of pottery-making in the novel come from her own experience as a ceramic artist 📚 The novel won the Children's Literature Foundation Notable Book Award and was shortlisted for the Senior Fiction category of the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards