Painter of Silence

Painter of SilenceSHORTLISTED FOR THE ORANGE PRIZE FOR FICTION 2012 Iasi, Romania, the early 1950s. A nameless man is found on the steps of a hospital. Deaf and mute, he is unable to communicate until a young nurse called Safta brings paper and pencils with which he can draw. Slowly, painstakingly, memories appear on the page. The memories are Safta's also. For the man is Augustin, son of the cook at the manor house which was Safta's family home. Born six months apart,

unfailingly dramatic glory

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leading experts on interviews as both coaches and practitioners

it has all the pleasures of an intriguing lead character

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But the hospital hours he keeps are putting a strain on the relationship