The Silent Listener wins the Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction
“Written with consummate skill, The Silent Listener quivers with rich imagery, lyrical poeticism and faultless pacing. A must read.”
This is definitely not a post I ever thought I’d be writing….I am thrilled beyond belief that The Silent Listener has been awarded the Indie Book Awards 2022 Debut Fiction prize. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the judges, the Indie bookshops, the readers who support independent bookshops and all the sponsors of these awards, in particular Affirm Press who sponsored the debut fiction award.
And of course, congratulations to the other category winners, as well as all those shortlisted and longlisted for these awards.
Lastly, a special thank you to the team at Penguin Books Australia who sent me the most gorgeous bunch of flowers with a really special message. And Jacinta di Mase and her team who are behind me all the way.
Judges’ comments…
“The Silent Listener is a compelling and impossible to put down domestic thriller. Yeowart has put everything into this book, with phenomenal writing of place and the trauma bond of characters. Yeowart’s haunting portrayal of Joy and Ruth’s relationship lingers on past the final pages and deeply draws the reader into their world. It is a devastating read that explores the darker side of religious fanaticism and demonstrates a deep desire for answers that aren’t always as they seem. The Silent Listener is an unforgettable read filled with suspense, intrigue and an ultimately satisfying ending.”
“In the rural noir genre, Yeowart adds an ingredient which makes this novel a standout. This is a cleverly structured book where the reader doubts both the integrity of the narrator and the solidity of the real (or constructed) world beneath our feet. Written with consummate skill, The Silent Listener quivers with rich imagery, lyrical poeticism and faultless pacing. A must read.”
“Intense. Harrowingly intense. Written like a well-crafted TV serial with twists and suspense palpably built up to a crushing conclusion. The novel’s title manifests from the seemingly innocuous tapestry nailed to the living room with the text inscribed. ‘Christ is the head of the home, the unseen guest of every meal, the silent listener to every conversation.’
Like the title, the characters, and the seemingly innocuous tapestry are not without their sinister histories just burning beneath the surface. The lasting physical and psychological damage of Joy and Ruth bleeds from the pages and haunts the reader long after laying the book down to rest.”
Flowers from the team at Penguin Random House (the photo really doesn’t do them justice)/