The Silent Treatment: A Novel

· HarperCollins
3.5
2 reviews
Ebook
320
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

Abbie Greaves’s The Silent Treatment is a rich and poignant novel about lies, loss, and a transcendent love at the heart of a troubled marriage.

A lifetime together.

Six months of silence.

One last chance.

By all appearances, Frank and Maggie share a happy, loving marriage. But for the past half-year, they have not spoken. Not a sentence, not a single word. Maggie isn’t sure what, exactly, provoked Frank’s silence, though she has a few ideas.

Day after day, they have eaten meals together and slept in the same bed in an increasingly uncomfortable silence that has become, for Maggie, deafening.

Then Frank finds Maggie collapsed in the kitchen, unconscious, an empty package of sleeping pills on the table. Rushed to the hospital, she is placed in a medically induced coma while the doctors assess the damage.

If she regains consciousness, Maggie may never be the same. Though he is overwhelmed at the thought of losing his wife, will Frank be able to find his voice once again—and explain his withdrawal—or is it too late?

“The premise alone had me, but The Silent Treatment itself is just heartrendingly lovely. It’s beautiful, so moving and clever. I truly adored it.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Josie Silver

“Abbie Greaves held me spellbound with this intimate, emotional story of the brutal power of silence and ostracism. Yet this deep dive into a troubled marriage is ultimately uplifting as Frank and Maggie make their way through the challenges of isolation, mental health, aging, and the yearning for connection. Keep the tissues handy for this lovely read.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs

Ratings and reviews

3.5
2 reviews
Melinda Wilson
March 14, 2024
Just ok. This book certainly reveals the layers of love, marriage, parenting, and secrets kept along the way. Yet, I felt like a certain amount of depth was missing. I could see myself in the charaters shoes but didn't feel like the story line did a good job at connecting the reader to the charaters.
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Kathy Branfield
April 12, 2020
4.5 stars. The Silent Treatment by Abbie Greaves is a marvelous debut that is quite poignant. After forty years of marriage, Frank Hobbs has inexplicably been unable to talk to his wife Maggie for the past six months. Frank is shaken and terrified after finding her unconscious and fighting for her life. After doctors place her in a medically induced coma, Frank remains at Maggie’s side where he talks to her and gradually works up the courage to explain his silence. What does the future hold for this grieving couple? Frank loves Maggie with all of his heart and he will do anything within his power to make her happy. Their marriage has been through many ups and down, but the last several years have been difficult. Frank’s devotion has never wavered but he fears Maggie’s reaction to the secret he has been keeping for the last six months. Most of the time, Maggie is upbeat and gregarious but she does go through deep depression off and on throughout their years together. Although she deeply loves Frank, she finds it virtually impossible to discuss her problems with him. Maggie is bewildered by his six months’ long silence and she is desperate when she puts her plan in motion to end her pain. At Maggie’s side, Frank talks to her about their years together and what she means to him. His memories about their life together are mostly happy but at a certain point, they are powerless to help someone whom they love dearly. Frank is shocked when he learns that Maggie has also been keeping secrets from him but his feelings for her never waver. How will Frank go on if the doctor’s predictions about Maggie’s recovery come to pass? The Silent Treatment is a heartwarming and sometimes bittersweet novel about love, marriage and family. Frank is emotionally reserved but deeply devoted to his wife. Maggie is adept at hiding her fears and secrets from Frank and he is stunned by her revelations. Abbie Greaves skillfully keeps the reason for Frank’s silence cleverly under wraps until the novel’s deeply affecting yet highly satisfying conclusion. A unique and heartfelt debut that I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend. I received a complimentary copy for review.
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About the author

Abbie Greaves is the author of The Silent Treatment. She studied English Literature at the University of Cambridge. She worked in publishing for three years before leaving to focus on writing. She lives in the UK.

abbiegreaves.com

Twitter: @abbiegreaves1

Instagram: @abbiegreavesauthor

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