REVIEW: The Silent Land by Graham Joyce

The Silent Land by Graham Joyce
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Gollancz (18 Nov 2010)
ISBN-10: 0575083891
ISBN-13: 978-0575083899
Reviewer: Cara
Copy: Bought online

From the back cover:
Zoe and Jake are caught in an avalanche during a skiing holiday in the French Pyrenees. They struggle back to their village only to find it deserted. As the days go by they wait for rescue, then they try to leave. But each time they find themselves back in the village, with the entire resort to themselves.

Then come the visions and the dreams, and the glimpses of familiar figures out in the snow.

And the realisation that perhaps no-one could have survived the avalanche...

The Silent Land is a brooding and tender look at love and whether it can survive the greatest challenge we will ever face.

I first heard about this book prior to it's release and such was the buzz surrounding it, I pre-ordered my copy. I then saved it for travelling to Ireland, and what with flight delays due to heavy snow it was the perfect read for my journey. The Silent Land is a very interesting book. You know there is a supernatural/horror element but trying to work out what this will be will keep you guessing until the end. There are no gorefests, no monsters or scary bits, but this doesn't matter because Graham Joyce keeps you hooked in through the simplicity of the story and his excellent dialogue. And once you reach the end, you realise the clues were all there, clear and sparkling like icicles in sunshine. This is a book you will remember.

Zoe and Jake get up early one morning to ski the pristine slopes and get caught in an avalanche. At first they make the most of being alone in the fully stocked hotel, drinking expensive wine, eating steaks and generally enjoying themselves while they wait to be rescued. But as they are young and in love, they are content in their own company even after they begin to realise that this is strange... where is everyone, why has no-one come to rescue them? When the couple start trying to leave the village I found myself wondering what was really going on and attempting to guess the ending (I was wrong!). When the visions start happening, the book becomes more sinister and a claustrophobic atmosphere descends, affecting both Zoe and Jake in different ways.

Much of the book is told in the third person, mainly from Zoe's perspective, and also through the dialogue between the couple. I found the banter between the two very realistic... this is how a couple interact, they tease each other and bicker. The deep love and trust they have for each other was skilfully portrayed through their dialogue. There were also some flashbacks to family events which added depth to their individual characters. Zoe and Jake are normal, likeable people caught up in a scenario they don't fully comprehend. They show themselves to be resourceful and despite their unusual circumstances, they work together to try to find a way out of their situation.

The Silent Land is a gentle yet thought-provoking read about life, love and death. I found it a hard book to put down and kept reading 'just one more chapter' until the small hours when my eyes wouldn't stay open any longer. What I really enjoyed was the simplicity of the novel; only two characters, one location and the growing realisation that something wasn't quite right about it all. Knowing that was what kept me reading all the way through to the end… I just had to find out! Thinking back, this shows Graham Joyce’s skill as a storyteller. He takes a simple plot and creates a gripping novel that keeps the reader’s attention to the very end. And I defy anyone not to shed a tear or two at the final chapter. Zoe and Jake are lovable, endearing characters, a couple you care about and want to see triumph over their unusual situation. Yet they are not trite or two-dimensional. It is their very normality that wins the reader over and has you wondering how you would cope in a similar scenario. Certainly it is a book that would appeal to a wide readership as it is not a typical genre novel. I could see it appealing to book clubs and reading groups as there is a lot to discuss after finishing it. I know I have spoken to a few people who agree that a lot of clues fall into place once the conclusion is known. The Silent Land is a book that will stay with me for a long time and I feel enriched for having read it.

Plot: 8
Characters: 8
Style: 9

Overall rating 8/10