Silent to the Bone/Nicole Lee

Lee, Nicole
English, Period.4
November 16, 2008

Silent to the Bone

In a single, breathless sitting, I journeyed the world of Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg. Needless to say, this novel has captured my heart as well as my admiration and the experience of reading it was an invaluable one. When I first came across this novel, I honestly believed it to be a bit too juvenile for my liking - judging from the artless cover and first several pages. This is a faultless example of the age-old saying "do not judge a book by its cover", (please do excuse the inevitable pun). My sole reason for grudgingly pursuing this novel in the beginning was that I had not a choice, but a due date. However, as I ventured deeper into the novel, I quickly embraced its realistic and empathetic themes as well as the truly philosophical ideas it brought forth.

Silent to the Bone is the first person account of 13-year old, Connor Krane's emotional journey to save his dearest friend. The story begins with an unspeakable tragedy when Branwell Zamborska is accused of heavily injuring his infant sister, Nikki. The accusation is first made through a 911 call by the attractive English au pair, Vivian whom Branwell possesses intense romantic feelings for. Thereafter, Branwell is struck mute and sent to a juvenile detention center - waiting to be tried, whilst Nikki lies in the hospital in a coma. Although Branwell leads an unresponsive and apathetic existence after the incident, Connor know that he is entirely innocent. Connor is then faced with a challenge far beyond any adolescent's when he becomes obligated to prove Branwell's innocence and spare him from the fate that awaits him. They develop a system of communication by the means of flashcards. With each visit, Connor is assigned a mission by Branwell to speak with certain people who are related to the atrocious incident. With the kindly assistance of his older sister Margaret, Connor pieces together a story of unrequited love, emotional turmoil, and sexual abuse.

"If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?"
It is fair to proclaim this inspirational quote the heart of the novel. The meaning of this quote has already been discussed in the novel, albeit the significance of it obligates me to address it once more. When Branwell is struck mute due to traumatic reasons, he still possesses realities that he must express despite the fact that he cannot speak. Conner ultimately proves that when a tree falls and no one is present, it still does make a sound.




As a system of rating, I have bestowed upon this novel five John Lennons. John Lennon is an apposite symbol due to the fact that Branwell Zamborska had a great fondness for the Beatles. It is only a splendid coincidence that I, too am a Beatles lover. It is to be agreed that this novel absolutely deserved all five John Lennons.

I highly recommend this novel to any mature and open-minded indivisual. Those who wish to learn about the traumatic effects of abuse, experience the passion of an authentic friendship, and learn the meaning of unconditional love would do only a great service to his or herself by reading this book. I cannot recommend this book solely to certain audience - for emotional maturity comes not from one's age, but from one's mentality. Nevertheless, this book is best suited for middleschoolers; I know so from previous experiences - for it contains some mature themes. It is to be promised that this novel will forever hold a place in your heart,(regardless of how small) as it did in mine.