The Silence Project

Carole Hailey completed the six-month Guardian/UEA novel writing course taught by Bernardine Evaristo, who imbued Carole with such a love for writing fiction that she abandoned her career in law to undertake an MA in Creative Writing at Goldsmiths, followed by a PhD in Creative Writing at Swansea University. Carole was a London Library Emerging Writer 2020/21. The Silence Project is her first published novel and was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize Peggy Chapman-Andrews First Novel Award 2020 and highly commended by the judges. She lives in Wales with her husband and two rescue dogs.

The gripping story of what it's like to be the daughter of a woman who changed the world - perfect for fans of The Power and Vox
A BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK AND KINDLE NO. 1 BESTSELLER

'Engrossing and original. The Silence Project will get people talking' Bernardine Evaristo
Mother. Martyr. Murderer.
On Emilia Morris's thirteenth birthday, her mother Rachel moves into a tent at the bottom of their garden. From that day on, she never says another word.
Inspired by Rachel's example, other women join her and together they build the Community. Eight years later, Rachel and thousands of her followers shock the world as they silence themselves forever.
In the aftermath of what comes to be known as the Event, the Community's global influence quickly grows. As a result, the whole world has an opinion about Rachel - whether they see her as a callous monster or a heroic martyr - but Emilia has never voiced hers publicly. Until now.
Readers can't stop shouting about The Silence Project:
'A true masterpiece' *****
'One hell of a book!' *****
'Had me hooked' *****
'Red-hot' *****
'I don't think I've ever read a book as quickly' *****
'Gave me the shivers' *****