Lies of Silence by Brian Moore

Lies of Silence by Brian Moore

  

When Michael Dillon is ordered by the IRA to park his car in the car park of a Belfast hotel, he is faced with a moral choice which leaves him absolutely nowhere to turn. He knows that he is planting a bomb that would kill and maim dozens of people. But he also knows that if he doesn't, his wife will be killed.

It isn't a particularly a long read and I'm exceedingly glad that it isn't for it is far from breathtaking...

Micheal the central character is not a likeable or admirable character; he cheated on his wife with a woman half his age, he only married his wife as he found her exceedingly attractive and loved the envious stares that were directed at him by other men. 

He is for the most part quite cowardly, although he does ponder the idea of speaking up against the IRA. After all he happens to have a vital piece of evidence that could lock up one of their members.

The book puts the IRA in a bad light. It implies that they don't care whether they use protestants or Catholics to get what they want - in this case bombing a hotel. Also, violence is shown by the group and they portray a certain fierceness which many local people are sacred of - Catholics and Protestants alike. This is a book of fiction, but I do not know whether things of such nature happened. I do know that there was violence in Northern Ireland and there is still some violence there, but I do not know much of the goings on of the place. This is justified for in the 80's, my parents were offered to stay at someone's house in Northern Ireland, they refused the offer in fear of trouble - bombs going off etc.




 My Cat Catch Book Rating Scale above- It was okay(2/5 cats)

 Cat Cat Rating Scale- http://minstrelcrazy.blogspot.ie/p/reviews.html

I didn't enjoy this book. I did not like Michael as a character. I felt his courageous decision was made far too late and he suffered immensely for his mistake. I think the book could of been far better convicted, if Maria was the main character - she is a strong willed, rebellious, independent character and she is what every women should want to be.

I didn't have any particular problem with the story - it was fine, but as I have somewhat stated already- it could of been such a compelling story, if only Maria was made the main character.