GOODREADS REVIEWS
It's one of those books that shakes up your insides, and after the book ends, you can only conclude that where they said AUTHOR they meant MAGICIAN, because only a person capable of spells and magic could possibly conjure up such feelings of sadness for fictional people - Emalynne W.
Leganski’s lucid prose, her crystal clarity, and her magical realism catapult The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow into a category alongside Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits and Yann Martel’s Life of Pi. Mixing historical fiction with fantasy, superstition, magic, and poetic sentiment, Leganski creates an emotional and memorable story. A gifted storyteller, Leganski has many more stories yet to tell. She’s off to a boisterous beginning, as there is nothing reserved about Bonaventure Arrow. This novel is richer than New Orleans chicory coffee and sweeter than a plate of beignets - Jaime B.
I have my favourite genres, but sometimes there's something about the description of a book or the opening lines that grabs me and I just know that this is going to one of those special books that stays with me. Until I lend it out - because I'll definitely be recommending this one - Luanne O.
This novel was absolutely fantastic. It took me quite some time to get over the fact that this book had ended. I did not want to leave the world that Rita Leganski had created in this novel. The story within these pages sucked me in from the first page and it almost hurt me to close the back cover at the end. This was one of those novels that is so well written, I had to read parts out loud to release the beauty of the language into the world. - Miki
I read a lot of books, but rarely do I read one that reminds me of why I love to read. The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow has all the hallmarks of great storytelling but what makes it so special is the feeling it evokes with the reader. Yes, you will love the language, the characters, and the twists, but most of all you will love the experience of reading this book. In her luminous first novel, author Rita Leganski has hooked me for life. More, please! ~ Vikki
I would give 10 stars. This is a gem. You are allowed to see the story unfold, learning the secrets before the characters do. Lovely relationships and interesting plot developments. And a big plus is that you know it has to end well, because the bad stuff happens at the beginning. I cannot recommend this book more highly. Wonderful respite from the nightly news. - Marjorie
I LOVE this book. It is a darling lyrical gem of beautiful language and gentle philosophy about how the characters deal with the currents in their lives. I remember thinking that the author must have had so much fun coming up with images for the things Bonaventure could hear. - Julie
A gorgeous gem of a book! The writing is smooth and silky, and the pages pretty much just turned themselves. I was caught off guard by this one. I expected to enjoy it based on the ratings but not as much as I did. Magical Realism is a hit or miss for me but this one worked perfectly with connections to the 'other side' - Tasha
Ai yi, yi, what a book, what a book. Just go read it - it's awesome. - Cyn
Brilliant. The best book I have read in a long time. Set in the Deep South in the 1950's the descriptive narrative transports the reader. Love the characters. Highly recommend, just savor - Donna
See thousands more reviews at: Goodreads
Read about me, Bonaventure Arrow, and books I recommend from such genres as Magical Realism and Historical Fiction at:
The best books that take place in the American South (shepherd.com)