Click here to purchase Silence by Shusaku Endo
Based on a true story about the persecution and torture of Japanese Christians and foreign missionaries in 1600s Japan, Silence is a powerful book about faith (and doubt), truth, and the human spirit. What will make one person stay true to his faith, even under unspeakable torture, while another one does not? Why is God silent during suffering? These are the questions the book raises, and some would say it gives no clear answers. It is easy to say from our comfortable Western homes that we would never deny God under duress. But the Bible states that even Peter, a much loved disciple, denied Christ. What does it truly mean to stay faithful to God?

Repeating the prayer again and again he tried wildly to distract his attention; but the prayer could not tranquilize his agonized heart. 'Lord, why are you silent? Why are you always silent...?'

This book powerfully affected me, and I've already sought out more books by this Japanese Christian author.

It has been announced that Martin Scorsese will be making this into a movie slated for 2010.

1966, 201 pages
Rating: 4.5