The Silence In Between

Get in the xigxag app
Already purchased

Click to open directly in the xigxag app.

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book. Pre-order Buy Now £{{ price }} Send as a gift
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE 2024

The Silence in Between is a historical novel based in Berlin in 1961 and during the Second World War. Lisette lives in East Berlin but brings her new-born baby to a hospital in West Berlin. Under doctor's orders, she goes home to rest, leaving the baby in the care of the hospital. But overnight the border between East and West closes, slicing the city - and the world - in two. With a city in chaos and armed guards ordered to shoot anyone who tries to cross, her situation is desperate. Lisette's teenage daughter, Elly, has always struggled to understand the distance between herself and her mother. Both live for music but while Elly hears notes surrounding every person she meets, for her mother - once a talented pianist - the world has gone silent. Perhaps Elly can do something to bridge the gap between them. What begins as the flicker of an idea turns into a daring plan to escape East Berlin, find her baby brother, and bring him home....

Featuring music composed by Carl-Michael Bonde.

©2024 Josie Ferguson (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

A compelling debut . . . The Silence in Between is a haunting and compassionate account of waru2019s legacy, the atrocities inflicted on ordinary German women and their extraordinary resilience
Observer
A thoughtful and moving debut ... Rooted in real stories, The Silence in Between is a reminder of how seismic political events shape ordinary lives
Independent, Best historical fiction books of 2024
A strong, emotionally resonant debut full of music and menace
Mail on Sunday
A hauntingly beautiful exploration of love, family and societal unrest all set against the backdrop of the Berlin Wall . . . a poignant and heartfelt story that eloquently captures the resilience of the human spirit
Glamour
A confident debut with an original premise
Sunday Times
A captivating, tense portrayal of desperation, fortitude and courage
Herald
A tautly plotted, deeply involving novel that packs a real emotional punch u2026 I can't recommend this novel highly enough
Laura Barnett, author of The Versions of Us
A quietly powerful novel about lives altered by a seismic historical moment
Fife Today
A gut-wrenching but beautiful novel about love, family, resilience and music
Culturefly
A powerful story of family, hope and generational narratives, beautifully told
My Weekly

User Reviews

Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
5.0
5.0
So well read bybthe narrator, and a really moving story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
ClareR 13/07/2024

About xigxag

Experience the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed for seamless discovery, purchase, and enjoyment of your favorite titles. Our flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less, providing affordable prices and the best audiobook deals without requiring a subscription. Perfect for gifting, xigxag also features convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

 

Beyond the listening experience, xigxag stands as an exciting alternative to big tech, embodying a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we ensure a guilt-free listening experience from a leader in audiobook innovation.

 

Effortlessly search audiobooks, access honest audiobook reviews that evaluate both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. Whether you prefer to download or stream top audiobook titles, xigxag provides the best possible listening experience anytime, anywhere, on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Discover the future of audiobooks today.