Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Taplinger Publishing Company (1980), 201 pages
Description
"Shusaku Endo's classic novel of enduring faith in dangerous times "Silence I regard as a masterpiece, a lucid and elegant drama."--The New York Times Book Review Seventeenth-century Japan: Two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to 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. Shusaku Endois one of the most celebrated and well-known Japanese fiction writers of the twentieth century, and Silence is widely considered to be his great masterpiece"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member kidzdoc
This brilliant novel, which is widely considered to be Endo's masterpiece, describes the persecution and fate of Japanese Christians and Portuguese Catholic priests in the years during the 17th century Shimabara Rebellion and its aftermath.
First, a little bit of historical background. Christianity
In the late 1580s Toyotomi Hideyoshi assumed power over a newly unified Japan. As part of his effort to control the country, and fearing that the missionaries were a first step toward colonization of Japan by the Portuguese, Hideyoshi, an avowed Buddhist, banned Catholicism and cracked down on the missionaries and the daimyos, the territorial lords who oversaw the sometimes forcible conversion of their people to the Western religion. After Hideyoshi's death Christianity in Japan experienced moderate growth, with intermittent periods of persecution by the shogunate. Following the Great Genna Martyrdom of 1632, Catholicism was officially banned in Japan. In the following year the Tokugawa shogunate began to institute sakoku ("locked country"), a national seclusion policy which forbade foreigners from entering the country or Japanese citizens from leaving it.
In 1637 peasants in Shimbara, located in modern day Nagasaki Prefecture, rebelled against the feudal lord of the region, who taxed them to the point of starvation in order to pay for a new castle that was built in his honor. These peasants, who were mainly Christian villagers, attacked the castle, but were successfully rebelled by forces of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1638. In the aftermath of the Shimabara Rebellion, sakoku was enforced more strictly, and Christians were actively pursued and forced to renounce their religion once they were captured. Most were obligated to step on a fumie, a wooden or stone likeness of Jesus or Mary. Most of those who did so willingly were released, but anyone who refused or hesitated before doing so was brutally tortured and ultimately killed, along with their families. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese Christians and Portuguese missionaries died in this manner during the 17th century.
Silence begins in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon in 1638, as Father Sebastian Rodrigues and two of his fellow priests seek to travel to Japan. Their beloved teacher, Father Christovao Ferriera, has not been heard from since 1633, after he reportedly committed apostasy by stepping on a fumie in Nagasaki once he was captured and tortured. The Roman Catholic church leadership in Portugal is initially reluctant to grant permission to the priests to travel there, as they are aware of the persecution of Christians in Japan and the refusal of the shogunate to allow any commercial relationship with the Portuguese. Eventually the three are given the blessing of the church, and months later they arrive in the port city of Macao. There they are introduced to Kichijiro, a rather dodgy Japanese resident of the city, who wishes to return to his home country and agrees to accompany two of the priests there. The junk boat lands under cover of darkness near Nagasaki, and the priests make their way to the hills above Nagasaki. There they meet a group of hidden Christians in a nearby village, who are overjoyed to meet a Catholic priest. However, the Christians are soon uncovered by the local samurai, and Father Rodrigues is forced to flee to the surrounding woods, where he is eventually betrayed and captured, in a similar manner to Jesus' betrayal by Judas.
The novel begins as a series of letters by Rodrigues to Portuguese church officials, but then switches to a third person narrative after he is forced to flee. Unlike the Japanese Christians and the missionaries who preceded him, he is not physically tortured, but he is repeatedly encouraged to apostatize in order to save the lives of the captured villagers and his colleague, who was also taken into custody. Rodrigues experiences almost unbearable turmoil and a crisis of faith, as he cannot reconcile how a merciful God can stand by silently while His believers are willing to undergo extreme physical pain and death in support of their beliefs:
I knew well, of course, that the greatest sin against God was despair; but the silence of God was something I could not fathom. 'The Lord preserved the just man when godless folk were perishing all around him. Escape he should when fire came down upon the Cities of the Plain.' Yet now, when the barren land was already emitting smoke while the fruit on the trees was still unripe, surely he should speak but a word for the Christians.
I ran, slipping down the slope. Whenever I slowed down, the ugly thought would come bubbling up into consciousness bringing an awful dread. If I consented to this thought, then my whole past to this very day was washed away in silence.
Rodrigues' psychological torment intensifies, and he is eventually forced by the head samurai Inoue to make a decision: apostatize and betray his religion, in order to spare his life and the remaining villagers who have stepped on the fumie, or refuse, and condemn the villagers and himself to a long and painful death by torture.
Silence is a most fitting title to this fantastic novel, as it can refer to the silence of God while His believers suffer oppression, physical pain and death; the silence of the community while others are being persecuted; and the internal silence experienced by the individual who is forcibly isolated for his beliefs. The novel is ripe for interpretation and serious discussion, by Christians or believers of other faiths, and by those who would stand by idly and in comfort while others are forced to suffer due to poverty, religious belief or minority status. Beyond that, Silence is a very well written and compelling drama, which would be an enjoyable read on a much more superficial level. It is easily the best book I've read by Endo to date, and certainly one of finest 20th century Japanese novels I've ever read.
First, a little bit of historical background. Christianity
Show More
in Japan began in the 1540s, soon after Portugal began to trade goods with that country. The first Jesuit missionaries were met with resistance in their first efforts to convert the Japanese to Catholicism, but soon a unique form of Christianity, which combined the teachings of Roman Catholicism and Buddhism, took hold. By the late 1570s there were over 100,000 active Christians in Japan throughout all social strata, primarily in and around the coastal regions of southwestern Japan. In the late 1580s Toyotomi Hideyoshi assumed power over a newly unified Japan. As part of his effort to control the country, and fearing that the missionaries were a first step toward colonization of Japan by the Portuguese, Hideyoshi, an avowed Buddhist, banned Catholicism and cracked down on the missionaries and the daimyos, the territorial lords who oversaw the sometimes forcible conversion of their people to the Western religion. After Hideyoshi's death Christianity in Japan experienced moderate growth, with intermittent periods of persecution by the shogunate. Following the Great Genna Martyrdom of 1632, Catholicism was officially banned in Japan. In the following year the Tokugawa shogunate began to institute sakoku ("locked country"), a national seclusion policy which forbade foreigners from entering the country or Japanese citizens from leaving it.
In 1637 peasants in Shimbara, located in modern day Nagasaki Prefecture, rebelled against the feudal lord of the region, who taxed them to the point of starvation in order to pay for a new castle that was built in his honor. These peasants, who were mainly Christian villagers, attacked the castle, but were successfully rebelled by forces of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1638. In the aftermath of the Shimabara Rebellion, sakoku was enforced more strictly, and Christians were actively pursued and forced to renounce their religion once they were captured. Most were obligated to step on a fumie, a wooden or stone likeness of Jesus or Mary. Most of those who did so willingly were released, but anyone who refused or hesitated before doing so was brutally tortured and ultimately killed, along with their families. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese Christians and Portuguese missionaries died in this manner during the 17th century.
Silence begins in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon in 1638, as Father Sebastian Rodrigues and two of his fellow priests seek to travel to Japan. Their beloved teacher, Father Christovao Ferriera, has not been heard from since 1633, after he reportedly committed apostasy by stepping on a fumie in Nagasaki once he was captured and tortured. The Roman Catholic church leadership in Portugal is initially reluctant to grant permission to the priests to travel there, as they are aware of the persecution of Christians in Japan and the refusal of the shogunate to allow any commercial relationship with the Portuguese. Eventually the three are given the blessing of the church, and months later they arrive in the port city of Macao. There they are introduced to Kichijiro, a rather dodgy Japanese resident of the city, who wishes to return to his home country and agrees to accompany two of the priests there. The junk boat lands under cover of darkness near Nagasaki, and the priests make their way to the hills above Nagasaki. There they meet a group of hidden Christians in a nearby village, who are overjoyed to meet a Catholic priest. However, the Christians are soon uncovered by the local samurai, and Father Rodrigues is forced to flee to the surrounding woods, where he is eventually betrayed and captured, in a similar manner to Jesus' betrayal by Judas.
The novel begins as a series of letters by Rodrigues to Portuguese church officials, but then switches to a third person narrative after he is forced to flee. Unlike the Japanese Christians and the missionaries who preceded him, he is not physically tortured, but he is repeatedly encouraged to apostatize in order to save the lives of the captured villagers and his colleague, who was also taken into custody. Rodrigues experiences almost unbearable turmoil and a crisis of faith, as he cannot reconcile how a merciful God can stand by silently while His believers are willing to undergo extreme physical pain and death in support of their beliefs:
I knew well, of course, that the greatest sin against God was despair; but the silence of God was something I could not fathom. 'The Lord preserved the just man when godless folk were perishing all around him. Escape he should when fire came down upon the Cities of the Plain.' Yet now, when the barren land was already emitting smoke while the fruit on the trees was still unripe, surely he should speak but a word for the Christians.
I ran, slipping down the slope. Whenever I slowed down, the ugly thought would come bubbling up into consciousness bringing an awful dread. If I consented to this thought, then my whole past to this very day was washed away in silence.
Rodrigues' psychological torment intensifies, and he is eventually forced by the head samurai Inoue to make a decision: apostatize and betray his religion, in order to spare his life and the remaining villagers who have stepped on the fumie, or refuse, and condemn the villagers and himself to a long and painful death by torture.
Silence is a most fitting title to this fantastic novel, as it can refer to the silence of God while His believers suffer oppression, physical pain and death; the silence of the community while others are being persecuted; and the internal silence experienced by the individual who is forcibly isolated for his beliefs. The novel is ripe for interpretation and serious discussion, by Christians or believers of other faiths, and by those who would stand by idly and in comfort while others are forced to suffer due to poverty, religious belief or minority status. Beyond that, Silence is a very well written and compelling drama, which would be an enjoyable read on a much more superficial level. It is easily the best book I've read by Endo to date, and certainly one of finest 20th century Japanese novels I've ever read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ebnelson
What does conversion look like? How does God choose to be made manifest in the lives of adherents? What about “converted” societies? Can there be such a thing as a Christian nation, or will the majority of adherents only have superficial faith? Is superficial faith real faith?
Christian Endo
How do we love--truly love--when the apparent loving action forces us to brea, good, holy commitments? Fidelity to vows made to God is a great thing--for in our fortitude even through adversity, which would cause others to break their vows, we are usually surprised to find love and joy on the other side. God rewards fidelity towards vows--Is breaking a vow always an act of unfaith, and if so, can and should it be done for the sake of love? This is the knife that is twisted in Silence, whose author suggests that fidelity to our holy vows--and even to God--can become an idol that we should break in fear and trembling for the sake of love of neighbor.
Christian Endo
Show More
faithfully yet critically explores these questions through the eyes of a 17th Century Portuguese missionary to Japan—a country that had initially adopted Christianity but then brutally persecuted believers. With apostates, torture, doubt, and glorious martyrdom taking center stage, Silence asks tough questions and gives faith-filled yet honest answers that are as relevant to Christians in a softened 21st Century America as it is to Endo’s Japanese audience. Its ultimate focus on love function as a ringing indictment of religion--even Christian 'religion'--Endo also explores fortitude and justice.How do we love--truly love--when the apparent loving action forces us to brea, good, holy commitments? Fidelity to vows made to God is a great thing--for in our fortitude even through adversity, which would cause others to break their vows, we are usually surprised to find love and joy on the other side. God rewards fidelity towards vows--Is breaking a vow always an act of unfaith, and if so, can and should it be done for the sake of love? This is the knife that is twisted in Silence, whose author suggests that fidelity to our holy vows--and even to God--can become an idol that we should break in fear and trembling for the sake of love of neighbor.
Show Less
LibraryThing member solla
As a Catholic child around the age of 11, I read a lot of books about saints. In my classroom at St. Agnes school there was a small library consisting almost entirely of the lives of saints - there were two about archaeology. Many saints were martyrs so it was a big question for me as to whether I
Frances Xavier was one of the saints I read about. I remember reading about his mission to the far east and about the persecution of Christian converts in Japan.
Silence is about a later stage of this persecution. It is told from the point of view of Father Rodriguez, a young Portuguese priest who has come to minister to whatever Christians remain, holding onto their faith in secret, and to find out what has happened to another priest who had taught him and who is said to have apostatized (denied his faith), something he has trouble believing, having known him and his character. Father Rodriguez has to sneak in. The Catholic Portuguese are no longer allowed into Japan.
At first he hides with another priest on an island of Japanese peasants who are barely surviving between poor conditions and high taxes. But they are Christian, and they hide the two priests and protect them. From that point the story is unflinching in depicting the results of their coming. The challenge I imaged at 11 was a child's fantasy of remaining brave in the face of physical pain. What the priest has to confront is something much more immense. Silence is about adult experience and despair. It is the most powerful book that I have read in some time.
Show More
would be able to give my life for my faith. I tried to imagine it, flames burning, lashes coming down, hot coals in my mouth.Frances Xavier was one of the saints I read about. I remember reading about his mission to the far east and about the persecution of Christian converts in Japan.
Silence is about a later stage of this persecution. It is told from the point of view of Father Rodriguez, a young Portuguese priest who has come to minister to whatever Christians remain, holding onto their faith in secret, and to find out what has happened to another priest who had taught him and who is said to have apostatized (denied his faith), something he has trouble believing, having known him and his character. Father Rodriguez has to sneak in. The Catholic Portuguese are no longer allowed into Japan.
At first he hides with another priest on an island of Japanese peasants who are barely surviving between poor conditions and high taxes. But they are Christian, and they hide the two priests and protect them. From that point the story is unflinching in depicting the results of their coming. The challenge I imaged at 11 was a child's fantasy of remaining brave in the face of physical pain. What the priest has to confront is something much more immense. Silence is about adult experience and despair. It is the most powerful book that I have read in some time.
Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This is a short novel, only 201 pages, and I read it in just a few hours. The prose is spare, almost minimalist, but that doesn't mean it isn't in the end powerful. The translator in his introduction calls the author Shusaku Endo the "Japanese Graham Greene," and in this work of historical fiction
At the beginning of the 17th century, there was a thriving Christian community in Japan of as many as 400,000 believers in the nation of 20 million. But then in 1614 the Japanese government issued an "edict of expulsion" of the Christian missionaries and the persecution of Christians began, almost completely eradicating the faith within Japan and driving the remnant underground. The book follows Father Rodrigues, a Portuguese missionary, who comes to Japan a couple of decades after the banning of Christianity and whose faith is challenged when he witnesses the martyrdom of the Japanese Christians, and then is captured and put under pressure to repudiate his faith.
Often I hear that we're not supposed to cross cultures in fiction. Over and over again I read people saying it's arrogant for a Westerner to try to write of the East. Yet here Endo, who is Japanese, writes from the point of view of a 17th century Portuguese man and puts the lie to that, and I think shows we only narrow our vision when we refuse to at least try to see a view alien to us. I thought amazing the psychological insight and complexity with which Endo depicted Rodrigues. Over a third of the narrative is presented as his letters, other parts in third person but sticking closely to his point of view. Reading his struggle with forgiving and faith was often a moving experience. If I don't rate this a full five stars, it's only that I felt the ending fell a little flat for me. I think it would have ended more strongly if the "appendix" at the end had been cut, and we had been left with Rodrigues' reflections.
Show More
set in the mid-17th century, Endo tackles questions not only about what it means to be Japanese and Christian, but Christian period. Or to believe in any spiritual creed. Questions such as can Christianity take root in foreign soil without changing the faith fundamentally? Is truth universal or does each culture have its own? But most of all it asks, about "the silence of God... the feeling that while men raise their voices in anguish God remains with folded arms, silent."At the beginning of the 17th century, there was a thriving Christian community in Japan of as many as 400,000 believers in the nation of 20 million. But then in 1614 the Japanese government issued an "edict of expulsion" of the Christian missionaries and the persecution of Christians began, almost completely eradicating the faith within Japan and driving the remnant underground. The book follows Father Rodrigues, a Portuguese missionary, who comes to Japan a couple of decades after the banning of Christianity and whose faith is challenged when he witnesses the martyrdom of the Japanese Christians, and then is captured and put under pressure to repudiate his faith.
Often I hear that we're not supposed to cross cultures in fiction. Over and over again I read people saying it's arrogant for a Westerner to try to write of the East. Yet here Endo, who is Japanese, writes from the point of view of a 17th century Portuguese man and puts the lie to that, and I think shows we only narrow our vision when we refuse to at least try to see a view alien to us. I thought amazing the psychological insight and complexity with which Endo depicted Rodrigues. Over a third of the narrative is presented as his letters, other parts in third person but sticking closely to his point of view. Reading his struggle with forgiving and faith was often a moving experience. If I don't rate this a full five stars, it's only that I felt the ending fell a little flat for me. I think it would have ended more strongly if the "appendix" at the end had been cut, and we had been left with Rodrigues' reflections.
Show Less
LibraryThing member avidmom
Set in the 17th century during the Japanese prohibition and persecution of Christianity, Silence focuses on the story of one priest’s journey into the “swamp of Japan” where the Church is forced underground. If caught, the Christian faithful would be subject to the cruelest forms of torture.
During their long and difficult journey, Rodrigues and his fellow companion and priest, Father Garrpe, meet a rather odd Japanese native, Kichijiro, who pointedly asks Father Rodrigues about the interminable persecution of the Japanese believers:
“’Father,’” he had said, “ ‘What evil have we done?’
I suppose I should simply cast from my mind these meaningless words of the coward; yet why does his plaintive voice pierce my breast with all the pain of a sharp needle? Why has our Lord imposed this torture and this persecution on poor Japanese peasants? No, Kichijiro was trying to express something different, something even more sickening. The silence of God. Already twenty years have passed since the persecution broke out …. in the face of this terrible and merciless sacrifice offered up to Him, God has remained silent.”
Fathers Rodrigues and Garrpe eventually come to a small village in Japan where they meet and minister to a small group of faithful believers. The priests are hidden by the crypto-Christians but eventually are forced to separate and flee from the authorities. Betrayed in the same way Jesus was, Rodrigues is captured and imprisoned. Until now the story is told to us in first person, but now, with his capture, Rodrigues himself falls silent as the narrative switches from first person to third. We are now witness to a Passion Play of sorts with Father Rodrigues in the center: “His thoughts turned to the fire-lit garden and the servants; the figures of those men holding black flaming torches and utterly indifferent to the fate of one man. These guards, too, were men. They were indifferent to the fate of others. This was the feeling that their laughing and talking stirred up in his heart. Sin, he reflected, is not what it is usually thought to be; it is not to steal and tell lies. Sin is for one man to walk brutally over the life of another and to be quite oblivious of the wounds he has left behind.”
Father Rodrigues will be presented with the ultimate choice. No matter what choice he makes, Rodrigues knows it will carry consequences not only for himself but for others as well. Right and wrong and faith and doubt are blurred in this story. Even the silence of God that Rodrigues rails against has been blurred: “But now there arose up within my heart quite suddenly the sound of the roaring sea as it would ring in my ears …The sound of those waves that echoed in the dark like a muffled drum; … And like the sea God was silent. His silence continued.”
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it is considered his masterpiece. I can understand why. The story is simple, yet incredibly complex and thought provoking. The writing has a lyrical rhythm to it and the switch from first person to third person upon Rodrigues' capture, IMO, was an artistic stroke of genius. Endo was not the first author to do this, of course, but here it has a profound effect. Endo's ability to draw numerous parallels between the Gospel story of Jesus and Rodrigues’ story, sometimes obviously, sometimes less so, is uncanny. My one tiny (very tiny) complaint is that there are some Latin phrases sprinkled throughout the book which I did not know. I am grateful to whoever had this book before me as they wrote the translation to most of these above the text.
Silence is a poignant and beautifully written story; one I would highly recommend. I plan on reading more of this author's work.
Show More
The only way to avoid such a cruel fate would be to apostatize by stepping on the fumie, a sacred image. Word has reached Father Rodrigues and his companions in their native Portugal that their teacher and spiritual mentor, Father Ferreira, has apostatized in this way. Rodrigues and his companions cannot believe that their beloved mentor would be capable of such a thing so they decide to set sail to Japan where they hope to tend to the faithful underground flock there and, moreover, locate Father Ferreira.During their long and difficult journey, Rodrigues and his fellow companion and priest, Father Garrpe, meet a rather odd Japanese native, Kichijiro, who pointedly asks Father Rodrigues about the interminable persecution of the Japanese believers:
“’Father,’” he had said, “ ‘What evil have we done?’
I suppose I should simply cast from my mind these meaningless words of the coward; yet why does his plaintive voice pierce my breast with all the pain of a sharp needle? Why has our Lord imposed this torture and this persecution on poor Japanese peasants? No, Kichijiro was trying to express something different, something even more sickening. The silence of God. Already twenty years have passed since the persecution broke out …. in the face of this terrible and merciless sacrifice offered up to Him, God has remained silent.”
Fathers Rodrigues and Garrpe eventually come to a small village in Japan where they meet and minister to a small group of faithful believers. The priests are hidden by the crypto-Christians but eventually are forced to separate and flee from the authorities. Betrayed in the same way Jesus was, Rodrigues is captured and imprisoned. Until now the story is told to us in first person, but now, with his capture, Rodrigues himself falls silent as the narrative switches from first person to third. We are now witness to a Passion Play of sorts with Father Rodrigues in the center: “His thoughts turned to the fire-lit garden and the servants; the figures of those men holding black flaming torches and utterly indifferent to the fate of one man. These guards, too, were men. They were indifferent to the fate of others. This was the feeling that their laughing and talking stirred up in his heart. Sin, he reflected, is not what it is usually thought to be; it is not to steal and tell lies. Sin is for one man to walk brutally over the life of another and to be quite oblivious of the wounds he has left behind.”
Father Rodrigues will be presented with the ultimate choice. No matter what choice he makes, Rodrigues knows it will carry consequences not only for himself but for others as well. Right and wrong and faith and doubt are blurred in this story. Even the silence of God that Rodrigues rails against has been blurred: “But now there arose up within my heart quite suddenly the sound of the roaring sea as it would ring in my ears …The sound of those waves that echoed in the dark like a muffled drum; … And like the sea God was silent. His silence continued.”
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it is considered his masterpiece. I can understand why. The story is simple, yet incredibly complex and thought provoking. The writing has a lyrical rhythm to it and the switch from first person to third person upon Rodrigues' capture, IMO, was an artistic stroke of genius. Endo was not the first author to do this, of course, but here it has a profound effect. Endo's ability to draw numerous parallels between the Gospel story of Jesus and Rodrigues’ story, sometimes obviously, sometimes less so, is uncanny. My one tiny (very tiny) complaint is that there are some Latin phrases sprinkled throughout the book which I did not know. I am grateful to whoever had this book before me as they wrote the translation to most of these above the text.
Silence is a poignant and beautifully written story; one I would highly recommend. I plan on reading more of this author's work.
Show Less
LibraryThing member DieFledermaus
Silence is a powerful story of Sebastian Rodrigues, a priest who travels to Japan in the 17th century, when Christianity had been banned. He is investigating the rumor that his mentor, Father Ferreira, had apostatized – an idea he strongly denies. Three Portuguese Catholics are initially sent but
The story is initially told in the first person but later shifts to the third person. It did feel as though the narrative suffered a bit from the abrupt shift and it didn’t seem necessary – the point of view remains that of Rodrigues. Still, this is an absorbing and harrowing story and eventually the shift matters less. Rodrigues and Garrpe witness the extreme poverty of the villagers and the persecution once rumors of their presence reaches the authorities. The pair splits up to avoid detection and Rodrigues is alone, uncertain of where he is or where he’s going, barely able to keep fed and aware that he hasn’t found any information about Ferreira and that his efforts to help the Christians only resulted in a worsening of their condition. Throughout the book, Rodrigues is constantly questioning whether all their struggles and the suffering of the Japanese are worth it or mean anything. He wonders about the silence of God in the face of the persecution. Before arriving in Japan, he had visions of a glorious martyrdom but the deaths that he observes are slow, sad, meaningless ones. Rodrigues cannot help but compare the remnants of Christianity to the stories he heard of how priests were honored and churches were built in the past. He also compares himself to Christ in his suffering and betrayal – there is a character they meet who seems to be his Judas. However, by the end, Rodrigues’ actions and questioning lead one to wonder who else can be a Judas.
Endo, a Catholic, wrote the book knowing the ending – the Japanese authorities were never able to stamp out the Christian faith and even some of those who apostatized would continue to believe. In the introduction, Endo’s concern with the different character of Japanese Christianity is noted and he addresses this in the book. Rodrigues, though sympathetic to the Japanese Christians, tends to lump them all together and thinks of them as primitive people, more degraded than even the poorest peasants he saw in Portugal. He later wonders if all the mission work that went on previously was just sowing a false form of Catholicism, further pushing him to question the value of his own efforts. But though the reader knows that the religion survived and may not be as concerned about whether the Japanese form is the true one, the constant suffering and doubts in the book tend to raise more questions than they answer. However, this is part of what makes the book so powerful.
Show More
one becomes ill on the way so only Rodrigues and Francisco Garrpe manage to sneak into the country. Upon arrival, they encounter some poor peasants who secretly practice Christianity. Although the priests are uplifted at first by administering to the population, they must hide out, endanger the villagers and observe the squalid conditions in which Christianity is observed in the country. They also soon learn of the risk that they represent to the peasants.The story is initially told in the first person but later shifts to the third person. It did feel as though the narrative suffered a bit from the abrupt shift and it didn’t seem necessary – the point of view remains that of Rodrigues. Still, this is an absorbing and harrowing story and eventually the shift matters less. Rodrigues and Garrpe witness the extreme poverty of the villagers and the persecution once rumors of their presence reaches the authorities. The pair splits up to avoid detection and Rodrigues is alone, uncertain of where he is or where he’s going, barely able to keep fed and aware that he hasn’t found any information about Ferreira and that his efforts to help the Christians only resulted in a worsening of their condition. Throughout the book, Rodrigues is constantly questioning whether all their struggles and the suffering of the Japanese are worth it or mean anything. He wonders about the silence of God in the face of the persecution. Before arriving in Japan, he had visions of a glorious martyrdom but the deaths that he observes are slow, sad, meaningless ones. Rodrigues cannot help but compare the remnants of Christianity to the stories he heard of how priests were honored and churches were built in the past. He also compares himself to Christ in his suffering and betrayal – there is a character they meet who seems to be his Judas. However, by the end, Rodrigues’ actions and questioning lead one to wonder who else can be a Judas.
Endo, a Catholic, wrote the book knowing the ending – the Japanese authorities were never able to stamp out the Christian faith and even some of those who apostatized would continue to believe. In the introduction, Endo’s concern with the different character of Japanese Christianity is noted and he addresses this in the book. Rodrigues, though sympathetic to the Japanese Christians, tends to lump them all together and thinks of them as primitive people, more degraded than even the poorest peasants he saw in Portugal. He later wonders if all the mission work that went on previously was just sowing a false form of Catholicism, further pushing him to question the value of his own efforts. But though the reader knows that the religion survived and may not be as concerned about whether the Japanese form is the true one, the constant suffering and doubts in the book tend to raise more questions than they answer. However, this is part of what makes the book so powerful.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Stbalbach
Like a sword of words, viscerally dissects body and soul, blood runs black and belief is crushed. Didn't enjoy. Might watch the movie but even that looks depressing. The story has good bones, not my thing right now.
LibraryThing member 1morechapter
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
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.
Show More
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.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ammurphy
A very poignant story. On the surface reminiscent of Dairy of a Country Priest. Deserves more thought than I was able to give it on one reading.
LibraryThing member maryreinert
Powerful story of faith set in 17th century Japan when Catholic priests were arriving in Japan to spread Christianity. At one point, the proselytizing seemed successful as those that claimed to be Christians gained in number and a seminary was even set up to train Japanese priests. Soon the
This is the story of Rodrigues' struggle. After being captured and imprisoned, he is subjected not to torture but is forced to watch as native Japanese Christians are tortured and killed. If he also walks on the fumi-e (a plaque picturing Jesus) showing his rejection of Christianity, the killings will stop. Fodrigues is forced to deal with his own faith; does he reject his faith to save others?
This is grim, but raises many questions about religion versus culture and personal responsibility to one's faith.
Show More
government changed their policy and began torturing and killing priests and their converts. Portugese priest Rodrigues and a fellow priest leave Macao for Japan searching for a priest named Ferreria who apparently has rejected his faith after being tortured. This is the story of Rodrigues' struggle. After being captured and imprisoned, he is subjected not to torture but is forced to watch as native Japanese Christians are tortured and killed. If he also walks on the fumi-e (a plaque picturing Jesus) showing his rejection of Christianity, the killings will stop. Fodrigues is forced to deal with his own faith; does he reject his faith to save others?
This is grim, but raises many questions about religion versus culture and personal responsibility to one's faith.
Show Less
LibraryThing member soylentgreen23
Endo's book about the suffering endured by the early Japanese Christians is a terribly sad one, of sacrifice, weakness, defeat, and hopelessness. As always, Endo's descriptive work comes to the fore, by way of a marvellous translation; the reader feels transported to the Japan of old, of tatami and
Show More
dried fish and the crashing of waves on the rocks. Show Less
LibraryThing member idiotgirl
Audible. Priest sneaking into feudal Japan to serve secret Christians. Rumors of a priest who renounced the faith. Spends time hiding. Finally caught. Much of the time he is imprisoned. What does it mean to renounce the faith, to stand on the image of Christ. What matters in a context when the
Show More
alternative is the suffering of others. A fine, lean book. Show Less
LibraryThing member June6Bug
Based in 1500s Japan - a Catholic priest who struggles with his converts' and his own apostasy in the face of brutal persecution. Thoughtful, thought-provoking and hard to put down.
LibraryThing member Snukes
A very interesting perspective on religion, culture, and history.
LibraryThing member revslick
This is a tale of a Jesuit priest who commits the sin of apostasy in 17th century Japan. It is powerful and hauntingly beautiful speaking to the depths of faith, suffering, martyrdom and a chilling example of being Jesus in the midst of an oppressive regime. I really need to read it again before
Show More
giving a full review but, even though it lags in a few spots, the ending is truly worth it. Show Less
LibraryThing member Neftzger
Incredibly written, this work of historical fiction follows a Portuguese priest as he attempts to bring the residents of Japan to salvation. This is not an action packed adventure with close calls or dramatic plot lines, but rather a study of human character and growth.
Through the priest's journey
Through the priest's journey
Show More
he eventually learns about the true meaning of sacrifice, forgiveness, and true salvation. The answers are much simpler when we don't fully understand the question, but the loss of this simplicity of mind brings forth growth of spirit that can ultimately redeem a soul. This is a thought provoking book that contemplative minds will enjoy. Show Less
LibraryThing member xuebi
An excellent account of the early stages of Christianity in Japan, and the hardships faced there by the missionaries and the converts. The theme of continued faith through hardship is particularly well-done and the scenes towards the end where one of the missionaries must publically renounce his
Show More
faith are extremely moving, and deal with the themes of love, forgiveness and faith. A very well-written book. Show Less
LibraryThing member amerynth
I'm surprised how much I enjoyed Shusaku Endo's novel "Silence" -- mainly because it focuses on missionaries (and I have a real problem with missionary work, at least the proselytizing kind.) I found the book a fascinating look at an interesting period in Japan.
The novel focuses on a Portuguese
It's an interesting look at a time in Japanese history that I'd never heard of before. The book is well written and pretty compelling.
The novel focuses on a Portuguese
Show More
missionary named Sebastian Rodrigues, who travels to Japan during a period when Christianity was banned to "spread the good word" and find out what happened to a fellow priest who may have been forced to refute their shared religion. Rodrigues is persecuted for his faith, and questions the silence of God as Christians suffer for their beliefs.It's an interesting look at a time in Japanese history that I'd never heard of before. The book is well written and pretty compelling.
Show Less
LibraryThing member amerynth
I'm surprised how much I enjoyed Shusaku Endo's novel "Silence" -- mainly because it focuses on missionaries (and I have a real problem with missionary work, at least the proselytizing kind.) I found the book a fascinating look at an interesting period in Japan.
The novel focuses on a Portuguese
It's an interesting look at a time in Japanese history that I'd never heard of before. The book is well written and pretty compelling.
The novel focuses on a Portuguese
Show More
missionary named Sebastian Rodrigues, who travels to Japan during a period when Christianity was banned to "spread the good word" and find out what happened to a fellow priest who may have been forced to refute their shared religion. Rodrigues is persecuted for his faith, and questions the silence of God as Christians suffer for their beliefs.It's an interesting look at a time in Japanese history that I'd never heard of before. The book is well written and pretty compelling.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Kristelh
A story of Japan by Japanese author Endo that tells the story of catholic missionaries in Japan during the 1600s. It covers persecution, choices one makes, the struggles and questions Christians face in their own journeys of faith.
LibraryThing member leslie.98
I thought that it was very well written & thought-provoking. However, I am not very religious so overall it wasn't the book for me.
Having written that (and thought it for several weeks now), I will say that Endo made me think about some things (such as the relationship between Jesus & Judas) that
Having written that (and thought it for several weeks now), I will say that Endo made me think about some things (such as the relationship between Jesus & Judas) that
Show More
I wouldn't normally have considered and in such a way that I still find myself pondering them at odd moments. I may end up increasing my rating due to this... Show Less
LibraryThing member janerawoof
Searing epistolary novel of a Portuguese priest's spiritual torment during the days of persecution of Christians in 17th century Japan.
LibraryThing member dbsovereign
Talk about a clash of cultures! A historical novel about sacrifice filled with doom. Asks one of those unanswerables: Why is God silent in the face of so much suffering?
LibraryThing member bibleblaster
This is a powerful, dark, deeply reflective work about religion, faith, commitment, suffering, judgment, "universal" truth...well, you get the picture. You may think you know where this relatively slim work is going, and how to assess the characters, but keep reading. This novel seems especially
Show More
important as religious persecution rises in a variety of places across the world. I noticed Graham Greene respects Endo's work greatly, and it reminded me of some Greene novels. Also purportedly provides the basis for Scorcese's next outing. Whereas Wolf of Wall Street was incredibly noisy, get ready for...well, Silence. Show Less
LibraryThing member missizicks
I think I placed too much expectation on this book, having read so many glowing words about it. It's good, but not the perfect novel I was hoping for. Chapter eight is its pinnacle. Everything before is worth reading to reach that point. Everything after is superfluous.
Original language
English
Original publication date
1966 (original Japanese)
1969 (English translation)
1987 (Dutch translation)
1971 (Swedish translation)
Physical description
201 p.; 5 inches
ISBN
9780800871864