A Book of Silence by Sara Maitland

When I was a teenager I hated silence. I’d have the radio on when doing my homework. Now, I, in the words of Depeche Mode ‘Enjoy the Silence’. And I’d like more of it. In fact, I’m finding in conversations with friends and colleagues others who long for more quiet in their lives. For me it is partly a desire for greater simplicity. Life is too complex, too fast, too cluttered now. And so much of what Sara Maitland writes about in this wonderful book reflects my own feelings.

Maitland has written a lot of books and I’ve read none of them. I came across this book when I was looking on the internet for books on the notions of silence. I’d been thinking about writing a book or an article on the subject myself. Except that what I would have wanted to write has been written, in A Book of Silence.

Essentially this is an account of Maitland’s own search for silence and solitude after years of being in the city and with a busy, noisy lifestyle. She interweaves her story with accounts from other seekers of solitude, such as hermits, and brings in religious, historical and social perspectives. She explores the different types of silence and solitude, cultural attitudes towards these experiences, and the challenge of finding space on your own in modern society.

At one point she talks about the way in which silent reading came about. That in the mists of time, reading and writing were social events. Once reading became a silent activity, this enabled independent thought. I’d challenge her comment that reading and writing are now private activities. They are for some to an extent. I’ve been intrigued by the growth of reading groups, for example. For me reading is private but the thoughts it engenders may be shared informally as part of day-to-day conversations (or in this instance, on a blog). But for others there is clearly a desire for some more formal vocal sharing of their reading, a social aspect to it.

I hope that more people read this book and use it as a way to reflect on their own engagement with the external world. I believe more and more that the almost constant requirement to act extrovertly and the ‘always on’ high stimulation culture we live in are contributing to mental health issues.

Reflect more, act slowly and do less. Only be warned, you may be seen as lazy, selfish or mad.

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