“The exact number of German women raped during the dying days of world war two is unknown, but it is possibly as high as 2 million,” writes Swedish-born Josie Ferguson about the inspiration behind her assured debut.
Shortlisted for the Waterstones debut prize 2024, The Silence in Between explores the devastating impact of sexual violence during conflict and weaves together the stories of a mother and daughter. In Berlin in 1945, Lisette and her mother, Rita, anxiously await the arrival of the Soviet soldiers. In 1961 Lisette lives in the same apartment in East Berlin with her husband and 15-year-old daughter, Elly. Lisette’s newborn, Axel, is being treated in a hospital in the west side of the city when the border is sealed overnight and further travel prohibited – anyone who attempts to cross risks being shot. Lisette is desperate to be reunited with her baby while Elly, in an effort to win the love of her distant mother, resolves to make the perilous journey across the divided city and bring home her brother.
