Mixed feelings here. The story is beautifully written (the authoress has way with words!) and the conflicts present here are real (the lost of passion and health and all the other stones life can throw at you - and how to grow precisely because of and with these burdens and pains). Yet, I feel that one big conflict went mostly unaddressed (or even got swept under the rug) - the lack of authenticity in Lucy´s and Charlie´s marriage. How come that Lucy is both unable and unwilling to say what she wants and feels? This is not unity. One should work on learning respectfully and lovingly present his/her most inner self to their partners. Lucy stays silent too often because of the sake of her marriage (and because of Charlie, who is a loving partner, even if he lacks the basic understanding for the needs of his wife (partly because he simply does not know better)). I think this is one silence that should be addressed more wholly and honestly.
Otherwise - inspirative works. I especially love Sasha and her bravery in life!

This book is about a teacher, Lucy, who loses her job as a music teacher due to the school board cutting the music and arts program. Lucy deals with that loss and even more loss in the 2nd half of the book.

I thought there were some very important lessons in this book. One was the battle with loss and the grieving process, along with finding a new normal when losing something that is not only your career but how you identify yourself. I liked how, when everyone was giving Lucy advice on how to get through the loss, her daughter Olivia tells her that maybe it is time to stop listening to people and listen to God. People often want to help when going through a tough time but after awhile, it gets to be “overload”.

The book also shows that sometimes when we lose something, we can often still use that gift but maybe in a different way.

The first half of the book did seem to drag on and some of the characters mentioned in the first half of the book seemed to have “disappeared” from the story…Bernie, Lucy’s art teacher friend etc.

The book came to a very beautiful and satisfying conclusion. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Rating: 4 out of 5

I have found that I have a harder time reviewing books that make the biggest impact. I feel inadequate to express the power and the beauty that an author has imbued in his/her work. Song of Silence by Cynthia Ruchti is one of those books. I loved this book, but more importantly, I connected with it. Characters, plot, themes — they all resonated with me. This is one that will stay with me a long time and is a highly recommended read.

Lucy Tuttle has been living her dream for 19 years — teaching music to children. But the dream abruptly comes to an end when she not only loses her job, but the school board shuts down all arts curriculum. Her summer stretches out in front of her without an end. Despite her husband’s sometimes clueless attempts to join him in retirement, Lucy slips deeper into her grief. A series of events lead her to a new understanding of God’s new song for her life.

Because I am struggling to find the right words to convey the essence of this book, I am just going to tell you why I loved it. Song of Silence has great characters — complex, believable, struggling with everyday issues that we can all relate to. I especially liked Lucy’s husband Charlie, referred to as Captain Oblivious in one instance. But before you think that there is some man-bashing in this book, let me say that he is one of the most caring, loving characters, even if he is not always the most observant. The themes are ones that we all deal with at some point in our lives — relationship dynamics, loss of dreams/purpose, disappointment and grief. God is present in the novel in the words of friends and trusted counselors, in the circumstances that almost overwhelm Lucy and in the silence in which she finds herself. Ruchti’s use of humor lightens the mood and brings real life into the pages.

Song of Silence is a great book, one that lingered in my mind long after I finished it. It spoke truth and it spoke hope. I loved it and think you will too.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

Lucy’s situation gripped my heart. However, her constant negativity and ungracious behavior became a sore spot in my mind. Her husband, Charlie, was a sweetheart who truly loved her. He reminded me so much of my own handsome man. While I could relate to her sensitive nerves, she was over-the-top mean at times. I couldn’t decide if I really liked her or not!

The side stories, however, were delightful. I loved the funky art teacher Ania, sweet daughter Olivia, and precious Evan. There were so many funny moments that I just didn’t want to put down the book. A midlife crisis can show up in many forms. Lucy just got it in more ways than one! Cynthia Ruchti always nails it, and Song of Silence is a homerun.