Lies of Silence
Encyclopedia
Lies of Silence is a novel
, written by Northern Irish
/Canadian
author Brian Moore
and first published in 1990.
The novel primarily focuses on the personal effects of The Troubles
, a period of ethnic, religious and political conflict in Northern Ireland
from the late 1960s to 1998. The plot revolves around the protagonist, Michael Dillon, and his wife, Moira Dillon, who are held hostage in their house by terrorists that are members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
(IRA). The men force Dillion, an apolitical hotel manager, to drive his bomb-laden car to the hotel which he manages in order to kill a leading Protestant
reverend, members of the Orange Order, and militant Protestants, all of whom are attending the same function. However, various aspects of female psychology
are also present throughout the novel, including Dillon's extramarital affair with Canadian writer Andrea and Moira's mental breakdown following the revelation of his infidelity.
Upon its publication, Lies of Silence received positive acclaim internationally. Publishers Weekly
described it as "Moore's most powerful, meaningful and timely novel", the Toronto Sun
said that "once again Brian Moore proves his astonishing versatility and compelling humanity as a writer," the Irish Independent
noted that "the writing is crisp and taut" and that "the moral crises [...] are intensely complex and gripping,"and the New York Times described it as "characteristically first rate... intelligent... brilliant." Lies of Silence was one of six books shortlisted for the 1990 Man Booker Prize
.
Lies of Silence is currently a choice for English
comparative study for the Leaving Certificate
in schools in Ireland.
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
, written by Northern Irish
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
/Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
author Brian Moore
Brian Moore (novelist)
Brian Moore was a Northern Irish novelist and screenwriter who emigrated to Canada and later lived in the United States. He was acclaimed for the descriptions in his novels of life in Northern Ireland after the Second World War, in particular his explorations of the inter-communal divisions of The...
and first published in 1990.
The novel primarily focuses on the personal effects of The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
, a period of ethnic, religious and political conflict in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
from the late 1960s to 1998. The plot revolves around the protagonist, Michael Dillon, and his wife, Moira Dillon, who are held hostage in their house by terrorists that are members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
(IRA). The men force Dillion, an apolitical hotel manager, to drive his bomb-laden car to the hotel which he manages in order to kill a leading Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
reverend, members of the Orange Order, and militant Protestants, all of whom are attending the same function. However, various aspects of female psychology
Feminine psychology
Feminine psychology is a term used to describe issues concerning the gender of psychology of female human identity, and the issues that women face throughout their lives. Karen Horney “began work on her version of feminine psychology in 1922, when she became the first woman to present a paper on...
are also present throughout the novel, including Dillon's extramarital affair with Canadian writer Andrea and Moira's mental breakdown following the revelation of his infidelity.
Upon its publication, Lies of Silence received positive acclaim internationally. Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
described it as "Moore's most powerful, meaningful and timely novel", the Toronto Sun
Toronto Sun
The Toronto Sun is an English-language daily tabloid newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is known for its daily Sunshine Girl feature and for what it sees as a populist conservative editorial stance.-History:...
said that "once again Brian Moore proves his astonishing versatility and compelling humanity as a writer," the Irish Independent
Irish Independent
The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper that is published in both compact and broadsheet formats. It is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media.-History:...
noted that "the writing is crisp and taut" and that "the moral crises [...] are intensely complex and gripping,"and the New York Times described it as "characteristically first rate... intelligent... brilliant." Lies of Silence was one of six books shortlisted for the 1990 Man Booker Prize
Man Booker Prize
The Man Booker Prize for Fiction is a literary prize awarded each year for the best original full-length novel, written in the English language, by a citizen of the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland, or Zimbabwe. The winner of the Man Booker Prize is generally assured of international renown and...
.
Lies of Silence is currently a choice for English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
comparative study for the Leaving Certificate
Leaving Certificate
The Leaving Certificate Examinations , commonly referred to as the Leaving Cert is the final examination in the Irish secondary school system. It takes a minimum of two years preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for those students it takes place three years after the Junior...
in schools in Ireland.