Silence is Goldfish is Annabel Pitcher’s third novel. While I thoroughly enjoyed her previous two books, I felt slightly disappointed with this one.
Silence is Goldfish revolves around 15 year old Tess. Upon discovering a family secret, Tess ultimately decides to stop talking as an act of rebellion. At first I thought we would only find out what the secret was at the end of the book, like in Annabel’s second novel, Ketchup Clouds, but it was revealed almost instantly. I can’t say it ruined the book, but the mystery was what really made Ketchup Clouds and I feel it would have greatly improved Silence is Goldfish.
I was intrigued to see how Annabel Pitcher handled the dialogue in the book, considering Tess decides not to speak, but the dialogue was exactly the same as any other book with a speaking protagonist. I won’t give away how, though.
I feel as if I am being a bit hard on Silence is Goldfish, probably because My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece and Ketchup Clouds were so fantastic, but I did enjoy reading it. The book immediately feels like a Pitcher novel and her beautiful writing style is what really makes it enjoyable.
Annabel Pitcher is also brilliant with characters, and I found the characters in Silence is Goldfish very likeable and real, all but Tess and her friend Isabel. I very rarely like ‘uncool’ or ‘nerdy’ teenage characters as they are so often stereotypical and Tess and Isabel are no exception. Also, Tess was self-pitying to a point where I no longer empathised with her. It just became a bit repetitive and tiring.
Overall Silence is Goldfish is a decent, easy read but nothing spectacular. I would still recommend that Annabel Pitcher fans pick it up once it is released. However, don’t expect anything as brilliant and haunting as My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece or Ketchup Clouds.
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Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
