Welcome, Tartlets, to a special Saturday edition of the blog. I’m excited to post this book review as part of the Blog Tour for When We Were Silent, the debut novel written by Fiona McPhillips and published by Flatiron Books.
What’s When We Were Silent about?
Set in the 1980s, When We Were Silent is about working-class girl Louise, who enrolls in an exclusive Dublin school called Highfield Manor. We first meet Louise in present day, when she’s called upon to testify against Highfield in a new lawsuit that parallels charges she brought against the school 30 years earlier.
As she debates her involvement in the new case, Louise takes us back to her tumultuous time at the prestigious institution, revealing the nefarious circumstances about why she eventually left Highfield — and why she was so eager to attend the school in the first place.
Sounds like just another “dark academia” novel — but it’s so much more.
At first glance, When We Were Silent seems similar to other dark academia novels out there. A girl from the “wrong side of the tracks” gets thrown into the deep end with rich, snobby students? Been there, done that. The powerful, elitist academy is harboring some deep, dark secret? What else is new. A dead body eventually appears in the story? I mean, that’s upsetting, but certainly not surprising.
What makes When We Were Silent so unique is what the book description doesn’t tell you. And, what it doesn’t tell you is that this book is about the sexual abuse of minors by their teacher.
When I accepted an ARC of McPhillips’ novel, I wasn’t aware what I was getting myself into. Honestly, I probably should have figured it out by the title alone. What can I say? I’m a little slow on the uptake sometimes.
I wasn’t prepared for the story – the stories — that revolve around so many forms of abuse. I can’t go into more detail because that would give away spoilers. So much unfolds as we follow Louise through past and present; turn another page, you peel back another layer. However, I did want to warn you of what you will be reading about, if you decide to pick up When We Were Silent.
When We Were Silent goes darker than most…
When We Were Silent addresses difficult topics – how abuse allegations against men by women are viewed, and how abuse allegations against anyone with authority are handled by society. With the recent overturning of Harvey Weinstein’s conviction, McPhillips’ novel couldn’t be any more disturbingly relevant. Reading about the abuse cases in both timelines made me sad and angry in equal measure.
When We Were Silent is a great book, but make no mistake: it’s a dark and depressing read. This coming of age story is full of tension as Louise confronts heavy topics like her best friend Tina’s suicide; her own sexuality and attraction toward women; and her home life with her well-meaning but alcoholic mother. All of this is on top of the fact that her lauded Highfield teacher and coach is being very inappropriate with a lot of people.
Trigger Warnings and Content Warnings for When We Were Silent
I obviously can’t pinpoint every trigger or content warning in When We Were Silent. But, here a few topics that are integral to the plot of the book that might be hard to absorb:
- Rape and sexual abuse of teenagers/minors
- Physical abuse
- Alcoholism
- Suicide and depression
The descriptions of abuse toward the students in the 1980s timeline are pretty graphic, particularly toward the end of the novel. McPhillips wants to make you uncomfortable with what’s happening at Highfield, and she does a damn good job of it with her careful and emotional writing. If you’re someone who’s triggered by any of these topics, wade in very carefully to Louise’s story.
Should you read When We Were Silent?
McPhillips’s novel is a well-written, emotionally charged, and nuanced story about a very difficult topic. If you’re a fan of books like My Dark Vanessa, you’re going to want to read When We Were Silent.
However, if you tend to stick to “lighter” reads, you’re going to want to skip this book. It’s a heavy and intense read, one I wouldn’t have chosen to read had I known what the story was truly about.
Although I received a complimentary advance copy of When We Were Silent from Flatiron Books, all opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I was not compensated in any way for this review or for any other promotion/publicity I’ve done related to this book.
