TRIGGER WARNING: Nazi ideology and brutality
1940, Poland. Mirek runs an orphanage but the Nazi occupation means it is a daily struggle to feed the 100 children in is care. Can Mirek escape Poland and save as many children as possible…?
A Song of Silence is an historical book set in Poland during the Second World War. It is based loosely on real people which gives the plot and characters extra poignancy.
Mirek is devoted to his charges. He welcomes Jewish and non Jewish children into his orphanage but fears for their safety as the reality of life under Nazi occupation becomes brutally obvious. The whole community are threatened and there are some chillingly awful incidents to strike fear into even the bravest of hearts.
This isn’t a happy story. There are moments of hope and love which sparkle through the darkness. However, these do not diminish the intensity of the cruelty imposed by the Nazis. It is beautifully written, vividly portraying Polish life and death at Nazi hands. The use of natural-feeling dialogue meant I felt totally immersed in the lives of Mirek and his orphans.
During the final chapters, I had such a dark feeling of dread. I wanted to stop reading and allow Mirek’s story to last longer but I couldn’t resist reading on to the conclusion. Afterwards, I wanted to cry but also smile at the triumph of love. Even hours after finishing it, I wasn’t ready to move onto another book as I was still processing my emotions at the devastation wreaked upon innocents.
A Song Of Silence is a genuinely inspiring book despite the horror and tragedy.
Book blurb
War thrust them together. Love will tear them apart.
Inspired by a true story…
When the Nazis invade his sleepy Polish town, Mirek swears to keep everyone in his orphanage safe at all costs. Yet, despite his struggles and sacrifices, the war drags him and his children deeper and deeper into its violent nightmare.
With 89 children looking to him for hope, Mirek must do whatever it takes to protect them — no matter how criminal, distasteful, or perilous it may be.
And just when he thinks things can’t get any worse, the arrival of a sadistic SS captain brings unspeakable atrocities to his town — and surprisingly, a glimmer of hope for Mirek to save all those he cares about if only he has the courage to grasp it…
Inspired by a true story of love, bravery, and compassion, A Song of Silence explores history’s darkest hour and how, even in the face of overwhelming evil, one man can become a dazzling beacon of light.
Discover what it means to be human. Discover A Song of Silence.
Author bio
Apart from animals and writing, Steve’s passion is travel. He’s visited 60 countries and enjoyed some amazing experiences, including cage-diving with great white sharks, sparring with a monk at a Shaolin temple, and watching a turtle lay eggs on a moonlit beach. He’s explored Machu Picchu, Pompeii, and the Great Wall of China, yet for all that, he’s a man of simple tastes — give him an egg sandwich and the TV remote control, and he’ll be happy for hours!
He lives in the North of England with his partner, Ania, and two black cats who arrived in the garden one day and liked it so much, they stayed. Graciously, the cats allow Steve and Ania to stay in ‘their’ house.
