2025 Literature in Translation Book Club: Silence

Join us this summer for a deep dive into Japanese author Shusaku Endo's 20th-century masterpiece, Silence. Set in 17th-century Japan, Silence tells the story of two Portuguese Jesuit priests who travel to Japan and find a country hostile to their religion, where feudal lords force the faithful to publicly renounce their beliefs. Eventually captured and forced to watch their Japanese Christian brothers lay down their lives for their faith, the priests bear witness to unimaginable cruelties that test their own beliefs and bring their faith to a crisis point. Shusako Endo is one of the most celebrated and well-known Japanese writers of the 20th century, and Silence is widely considered to be his great masterpiece.

The book club will not only read and discuss Silence but will also welcome guest presenters to talk about and provide cultural context for the novel's concerns: the differences and similarities bwteen Buddhism and Christianity, the historical and cultural life of medieval Japan, and the difficulties and surprises of translation. We'll also be doing some activities that will deepen our understanding of Silence over the course of the summer. This book club is limited to 15 participants, and we ask that you sign up by June 6 in order to get your copy of Silence. Sign up by stopping by the library's circulation desk or by calling (828) 743-0215. We'll look forward to having you join us on this fascinating literary journey!

Location

Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library

249 Frank Allen Rd.
Cashiers NC
28717

Telephone: 828-743-0215
http://fontanalib.org/cashiers