The Raging Quiet

by Sherryl Jordan

Book Overview

OUTSIDERS Widowed just two days after her unwilling marriage to a man twice her age, Marnie finds herself an outsider in the remote seaside village of Torcurra. Spurned by the townsfolk who suspect... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689828772
• ISBN13: 9780689828775
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Simon Pulse
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

The Raging Quiet Speaks Loudly to Tender Hearts, by Melanie Pace

Because of the many different beliefs, creeds, and attitudes that are found today, there are few things that speak profoundly and universally to people in this world. There are people who respond well to logic, and there are others who believe that logical people are unfeeling, with hearts made of stone. Some people use their feelings to determine meaning, truth, and value, while others consider emotion to be a handicap. The majority of the people, however, will identify with the romanticism, courage, and valiancy of those caught in love's perils. In the book The Raging Quiet, the author Sherryl Jordan takes us back to a time in history when the differences of people and the act of showing compassion toward differences were punishable by death. In Sherryl Jordan's novel for the tender hearted, she is able to effectively appeal to the readers' sense of logos and pathos through the history and setting, through her strong characterizations, and by showing that every man is a flawed man. History and Setting Sherryl Jordan begins to unveil the setting in the novel as soon the reading begins. In the very first page, our minds are opened to a perfect image of an old village. The first sentence reads, "The afternoon Marnie came to Torcurra, the villagers were whipping the devils out of a mad boy." The logical reader will automatically deduce that Marnie, being a newcomer to the village, is feeling uncertain of her new situation. The appeal to logos is effective here because it interests the reader in continuing on to find out more about the village, Marnie, and her new predicament. The background information here works for both logical and emotional readers. Those reading with more emotion will firstly assume that a main character has just been introduced. Marnie, the first main character, is beginning the story with a picture that draws on ethos. In this sentence strong words evoke strong emotions and images. Words such as "villagers", "whipping", and "mad boy" create a clear image that appeals to pathos. First of all, we can see this little antique village where public whippings are still acceptable. Also, imagery is created of village people gathered together to see the spectacle: the whipping of a mad boy. Whipping of the mad boy draws different emotions and pictures as well. It is strange that in Marnie's new village there is a mad boy, and it is assumed that he, being mad, did not know what he did to deserve being whipped. We draw our conclusion that Marnie feels empathy for his situation from the fact that we, as observers and readers, feel a certain amount of pain for his misfortune. This type of appeal in history and setting continue throughout the book. In the following pages, we find out more about Marnie's situation. The village is described in depth, adding to the mental image the reader has of the setting. It is a small village on the coast. Also, the time period is described repeatedly through context. For example, Marnie and her new

A Moving and Captivating Piece of Fiction

After finishing this wonderful book, I actually had to take a day to ponder over the story and its richly described characters. Marnie, recently married to a man twice her age, travels to their new home together. Marnie, only 16 years old, does not have any romantic feelings towards Isake. She merely married the man to save her family from losing their home. Upon moving to the village that would become their home, Marnie witnesses a young man being whipped. His name is Raver (because it sounds like he raves like a lunatic when he communicates); however, Marnie later realizes that his problem isn't madness, it is that he cannot hear. During the time that she discovers this kindred soul in the village (Raver, whom she calls Raven), her husband dies. The villagers accuse her of witchcraft that caused her husband's death, and they shun her. As a result, she and Raven end up sharing her cottage, in order to keep themselves away from the violent and angry villagers. Their only friend is Father Brannan, the kindly village priest, who brings them food and consoles them during their time of frustration with the villagers. Despite Father Brannan's attempts at getting the villagers to welcome both Marnie and Raven, Marnie and Raven discover a life separate from the hatred and segregation of the village, and end up falling in love. This is a magical, warm story! The characters come to life, so much so, they actually seem like real people. Their energies just come off the page. While I was reading the book, I was so happy that Marnie and Raven found each other -- Raven, having spent 17 years of his life abused, harshly treated, and misunderstood; and Marnie, never knowing the true feelings of romantic love until she came across someone who needed her just as badly as she needed him. A highly recommended book. Don't let the Young Adult label sway you away from reading this book. This is a book that can be read by anyone at any age. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING AND WELL WORTH YOUR WHILE!!!!!

WONDERFUL!=)

THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ! It's such a tender and compelling story and the love story in it is wonderful as well. I can relate to all the charactors and I adore Raven! It's my favorite book of all time (and I have read a LOT of books!) the best part is, anyone over 12 or 13 years old (because it does contain a fair amount of romance) can read it! Teenagers will love it and I know a 50 year old who loves it! If you don't read this book you don't know what you're missing! This book makes you feel pride in yourself and makes you want to be who you truly are. It shows the true beauty of diversity. This book will leave you in awe; the amazing, adventerous and passionate story of a young man and a young woman; Marnie and Raven; who are not afraid of being different.