The Raging Quiet

Set in a mythical past at a time when Christianity and superstition lived side by side, this novel tells how Marnie is forced into marriage with the wealthy lord in order to save her family from ruin. Raped by her husband on their wedding night and widowed after only two days, Marnie becomes the victim of suspicion and branded a witch. Raven, a deaf young man, is also an outsider, brutally treated and labelled as mad by the superstitious villagers. Together they invent a system of signing which gives Raven language for the first time and makes him 'whole'. Jordan's treatment of prejudice and ignorance is well done and the historical detail, such as Marnie's trial for witchcraft, is well researched and thoroughly engaging. This is a long book but worth the effort and the exciting ending rounds things up in a most satisfying way.