The Silent Boy [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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This is a fictional memoir of an elderly woman who tells the story of her Pre World War I childhood and in particular her relationship with a boy who was "touched". We are never told what was wrong with the boy (I think in a effort to not apply modern day labels) but from the symptoms I came to believe he was autistic. This is a deceptively simple story. It is a sweet, quaint, nostalgic look at a time when telephones and cars were very new. Every chapter is illustrated with a photograph of the period which adds to the nostalgia. Slowly, as events unfold we become aware that something is not right and the ending is terribly tragic. In fact, we are warned on the opening page that this is a sad story, yet that warning slipped away from me as I was immersed in the simple lives of the characters. This is a book that you stagger away from and makes you think how something so awfully sad and tragic could happen.

This book was filed in the children's section of my library, and it is a short, easy read but I think the full force of the story would be much more appreciated by a YA.

This story opens in June of 1987 with the then 85-year-old Katy relating her girlhood at the turn of the 20th century.

The flashbacks start in 1908 with the then-nearly 6-year-old Katy, her friend Jessie and Kate's future fiance, Austin. The trio remain lifetime friends.

The bulk of the story takes place in 1911. Katy, then nearly 9 learned what the word "maternity" means when she reads it in a dress catalog; her sister Mary is born that year and Nell, a farm girl comes to stay with Katy's family as a helper. Nell comes from a large family and her brother Jacob, 14 has been called "touched" as in "touched in the head." In today's world, Jacob would most likely be considered to have a form of autism.

Largely nonverbal, Jacob wears the same hat; enjoys the company of animals and retreats from people and noises. At best, he stands quietly when Katy shares the news of her day with him.

Katy's father is a delightful character. A country doctor, he often takes his daughter on his rounds. A feel and flavor of small town America is beautifully portayed in their horse-and-buggy trips. Jessie's family is proud to be the first on their street to own a $900 Ford, then a rarity.

Katy's father lets her come with him to the Asylum, a gray stone monstrosity on the edge of town. I like the intelligent discussions and honest answers he gives her; he tells her where babies really come from; I like the compassion he displays towards people in the Asylum. He is a remarkably astute man who understands Jacob's behavior such as the boy's rigid adherence to routine and how that, and his ubiquitous hat make him feel safe.

The story of Jacob closes on a sad note. He gives Katy a kitten and applies this act to an unrelated situation. Sadly, Jacob fades out of the town and, at the story's close nobody knew of his fate.

Katy takes readers on a history tour; she marries Austin in 1928; Jessie's brother Paul is killed in WWI on June 5, 1918 after dropping out of law school. The Asylum is closed by 1960 and Katy, mulling over her life, decides never to share the story of Jacob with her children and grandchildren.

While more progressive minds have prevailed in recent times in re autism, sadly these myths and misperceptions crop up from time to time. The 1988 movie "Rain Man," which I have come to hate is about an autistic savant who was institutionalized because of an unfounded fear he would injure his infant brother. The term "Rain Man" is considered offensive in most autism circles. In 1911, the word autism had yet to be coined and sadly, tolerance was a rarity. Katy's father was ahead of his time.

I liked the use of historical photographs and the author interview which was included in this book. That made a good thing even better and the photographs brought the times covered to light.

This story truly touched me as did The Giver, and Gathering Blue. Again this book focused on a boy who was different, and how he was shunned for it. Lowry specializes in taking a perfectly normal person and placing them in a society that totaly differs from our own. It teaches us that jsut because someone is different physically, it doesn't mean that they are different mentaly and/or spiritualy. It teaches us of different values, and is definately a great read for children, and teens. This is one of those books that sticks with you long after you read it. I read this book when I was about 10. I am now 14, and this books' message seizes to touch my heart. Great read. I would definately recommend it for your book collection.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!
I loved this book. Like Katy, I am also a doctors daughter and that is why I first read it. But when I finished it, it had me pondering over the powerful message and the... Read more

Published on July 14 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars great story, NOT a children's book
This is the fourth book I've read by this author, and I've enjoyed all but Messenger. (That seems like a weak retry to tell a similar story to the wonderful Giver. Read more

Published on April 24 2004 by Cheryl Dunlop

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING
i absolutely loved this book! my 6th grade teacher handed it to me last year and i loved it so much! Read more

Published on April 11 2004 by February

4.0 out of 5 stars Another challenging story by Lois Lowry
The author is known for her sudden and unconventional endings. The best of these being The Giver. The Silent Boy is the author's most recent work. Read more

Published on Mar 24 2004 by Anthony Sanchez

4.0 out of 5 stars The Silent Boy
In The Silent Boy , Lois Lowry uses old photographs as well as the written word to provide an excellent setting of life in the early 20th century. Read more

Published on Feb 2 2004 by Dyla

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting Photographs
An old woman is telling a story; the way your grandmother would. Leafing through the family album, she pulls out a picture and tells a bit about the people, the buildings, when... Read more

Published on Jan 31 2004 by Liz B.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lowry's Endings are the Best in Young Adult Literature!
In the quiet neighborhoods of this pre WWI town, all is peaceful and "normal"-neighbors are as close as family, the children all play together, and the local doctor makes house... Read more

Published on Oct 20 2003 by Lisa Johannes

3.0 out of 5 stars not her best work
I've read other Lois Lowry books, all of which are stronger than The Silent Boy. It's a nice story, with a thoughtful twist ending, but pretty slow through most of the chapters... Read more

Published on July 1 2003 by schmangela

4.0 out of 5 stars A story grandchildren should hear
Silent Boy reminds me of stories my mother or grandmother could have told me. I especially liked the beginning in which Katy tells the story as an old woman, but remembered from... Read more

Published on Jun 21 2003 by Mary Jean

5.0 out of 5 stars "I Wonder How Lois Lowry..."
can build a whole world of the early 1900's in just 178 pages, create characters you remember long after you've closed the book, and say all kinds of important things while gently... Read more

Published on May 16 2003 by nabbott6

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