About the book
William and Grace share what seems to them an ideal marriage. William enjoys a successful career in a relatively famous string quartet, and Grace is a children’s book illustrator. Both in their 50s, neither have any reason to believe that their relationship could be threatened. But when Andrew, the quartet’s viola player, retires with arthritis, he is replaced by the beautiful Bonnie, and the remaining male trio find the internal relations of the quartet have changed dramatically. Soon William can’t think of anyone or anything else, and begins to work out stratagems for inviting Bonnie to lunch or to prevent her from spending too much time with Grant, the cello player, who is his main rival for her attention. It is not long before William has even begun to think the unthinkable: that his faithful, loving wife Grace Has Got To Go…
Reviewed by Shipton Bellinger W I Reading Group :
Starting with the ironic title 4 readers voted Easy Silence to be funny macabre, well written and true to life in many ways. However sadly the other 3 found it irritating and not worth reading .
Star Rating: ***
Review by Cambridge Reading Group:
We all enjoyed this book about obsession. It provoked more discussion not only because of the story but the author’s use of language.
Star rating: ****
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Review by Goodworth Clatford WI:
Well written – excellent characterisation, witty, plausible. Created a great deal of discussion and laughter.
Star rating: ***
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Review by Milford Reading Group:
An easy read – very dark humour at times. Good characterisation. Some parts rather sad, showing lack of understanding between the generations and the selfishness of some characters.
Star rating: ***
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Review by Museum Book Group :
An enjoyable, easy holiday read. Rather farcical situations, not very believable. The characters we felt would not have tolerated the situation in the real world. Nasty end with little impact.
Star rating: **
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Review by Tuesday Afternoon Reading Group:
This book provoked a lively discussion. We all thought it was well written. Some people appreciated the black humour but some did not. We enjoyed the poetic language. All the main characters were well described and delightfully eccentric.
Star rating: ***
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