Endo: Silence (Book Review)

Mini Book Review #14: A brief summary of Silence, a novel by Japanese author Shusaku Endo.

Silence is of the most impactful novels I have ever read. Endo’s writing transports you into the mind of an eager, hopeful missionary viewing late 16th century Japan as it lies under heavy religious persecution and medieval poverty. Father Rodrigues is betrayed and imprisoned. He must witness the torture of Japanese Christians who refuse to deny Christ. Endo tells this story with quiet attention to detail and a masterful, light-handed layering of symbolism.

I had tears in my eyes as I read about this priest’s battle with faith and doubt. (Rodrigues asks repeatedly why God remained silent during the persecution of those who try to follow Him even unto death.)

What Would You Do?

Silence is told quietly, simply—and yet it is a story of great drama and pain. It asks questions about the meaning of true faith. For example, do people sometimes confidently and courageously die for a god of their own imaginations rather than the true God? Can true faith be held in spite of outward show of apostasy? Finally, it leaves the believing reader wondering what you would do in the same time and place. 

For more mini book reviews, click here. I read this book after reading Karen Swallow’s masterful examination of Silence in On Reading Well (review here).