Silence

About “Silence”

Silence is a 1966 historical novel by Japanese writer Shusaku Endo. It follows a young Portuguese missionary who travels to 17th Century Japan, where Christianity has been driven underground by the government. After being smuggled into the country, the missionary discovers that the local Christian community is hiding from authorities. As he struggles to carry out his mission, he faces fear, isolation, and the silence of God, leading him to question his faith and purpose. The novel explores themes of faith, persecution, and the challenges of religious belief in a hostile environment.