The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow

A Novel

By: Rita Leganski

Narrated by: 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.

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!

The Silence of Boneventure Arrow

Where does The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book captured my attention immediately on opening. The performance was excellent. I enjoyed it very much. The characters were so real. It is both a drama and a mystery story but even though it keeps you guessing it is a very real type of story.

What other book might you compare The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow to and why?

It was comparable to the book/movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" in that the child is born with a condition that is strange. However, as you read the book, you are so drawn into it that you will feel that his condition is acceptable and understandable under the circumstances. You will not regret getting this book.

Which character – as performed by Maggi-Meg Reed – was your favorite?

Boneventures father was my favorite character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have loved to be able to listen to this book all in one sitting but it is a long book and I did carry it with me when traveling in the car and going to doctor's offices.