The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow

A Novel

De: Rita Leganski

Narrado por: Maggi-Meg Reed

“Suffused with the mystical charm of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou, Leganski’s lyrical debut novel conjures dreams of voodoo, the power of healing, and the distinction between hearing and listening. This extraordinary, evocative novel will cast a spell over fans of magical realism in the vein of Alice Hoffman, Kaye Gibbons, and Sarah Addison Allen. Simply enchanting.” — Library Journal (starred review)

A magical debut novel from Rita Leganski, The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow is the tale of a mute boy whose gift of wondrous hearing reveals family secrets and forgotten voodoo lore, and exposes a murder that threatens the souls of those who love him.

Bonaventure Arrow didn’t make a peep when he was born, and the doctor nearly took him for dead. But he was listening, placing sound inside quiet and gaining his bearings. By the time he turns five, he can hear flowers grow, a thousand shades of blue, and the miniature tempests that rage inside raindrops. He also hears the voice of his dead father, William Arrow, mysteriously murdered by a man known only as the Wanderer.

Exploring family relics, he opens doors to the past and finds the key to a web of secrets that both hold his family together, and threaten to tear them apart.

Set against the backdrop of 1950s New Orleans, The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow is a magical story about the lost art of listening and a wondrous little boy who brings healing to the souls of all who love him.

A darling, lyrical gem

I LOVE this book. It is a darling lyrical gem of beautiful language and gentle philosophy about how the characters deal with the currents in their lives. I remember thinking that the author must have had so much fun coming up with images for the things Bonaventure could hear. I am so glad I listened to the audible version; the narrator, Maggi-Meg Reed, was perfect and found distinct voices for the characters. I wish they had cast her to read the Hunger Games trilogy. I am adding this one to my favorites list and will look for more from Ms Leganski.

One of the themes in this book is forgiveness, a favorite topic of mine. I especially like this passage, which comes toward the end of the book: "The words fell all around her then like a kind and curing rain: Father, forgive them; they know not what they do. Right there and then, Letice Arrow knew in absolute clarity that forgiveness is unconditional; it is complete in and of itself and always rises above the facts."

I love this story

beautiful story about the things we don't hear

I read this book many years ago but the audio version is magic. The voices and characters are all so unique and interesting.

Melodrama abounds, excellent narrator

Melodrama, religion and the fanciful supernatural abound in this novel… Despite that, I enjoyed it and was very impressed by the narration.

Unusual story, wrong narrator

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This is the rare book that is better read than listened to. It's not often I feel this way, but there is a delicacy about this story and the prose that is somehow flattened by the narrators voice. I think a different narrator would have been more effective.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Trinidad Prefontaine was fascinating and sympathetic.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Maggi-Meg Reed?

This is the second book I've heard with this narrator, and I enjoyed that performance. She did a competent job here, but her voice was somehow wrong for the delicacy of this story.

Was The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow worth the listening time?

It's a better book to read to appreciate the mysticism and delicacy of the story.

Read it

Loved it!! The book truly demonstrates that Love, forgiveness and not judging others are what matter!