In Search of Silence: A memoir of finding life after loss

Poorna Bell's In Search of Silence is a raw, poetic, and breathtaking book that won Red Magazine's Book of the Year 2019. It explores the things endemic in our society such as sadness and loneliness, and asks us to define what happiness truly means. It is a heartfelt, deeply personal journey that transports the reader to the streets of Bangalore, the mountain-topped peaks of Nepal, and the long and winding roads of New Zealand. It is a beautiful, life-affirming read that explores solitude, silence, and sadness and is underpinned with hope and happiness for the future.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Winner of Red Magazine's Book of the Year 2019, Fearne Cotton hailed Poorna Bell's writing as raw, poetic, and breathtaking. She praised the author's authenticity, empathy, and humor, stating that it is rare to find an author who writes with such depth. Cotton highly recommended the book, stating that it would enrich one's life. Will Young also expressed his admiration for Poorna Bell's beautiful, thoughtful writing, describing it as a gift of calm, laughter, and stoic contemplation in an increasingly anxious world. He noted that the book is simultaneously earthed and sometimes ephemeral, but is absolutely delightful, compassionate, tender, and a lesson to us all in self-love and nurture. Jack Monroe praised Poorna Bell's writing, stating that it challenges the societal expectations we have set for ourselves. She questioned whether we are being honest with ourselves about our desires and needs, and whether we are able to distinguish between what we truly require from life and everything that we have been conditioned to want. Monroe argued that the current rhetoric does not prepare us for the reality of life. In 2015, Poorna Bell became a widow after her husband, Rob, took his own life due to depression and addiction. Her situation was unusual, but she faced the same questions: Will she ever be happy? Will she find love again? Who will rescue her from her sadness? Two years later, Poorna is rebuilding her life and exploring a different conversation around fulfillment and self-worth. She travels across India, New Zealand, and Britain, examining the things endemic in our society that hinder us from achieving true fulfillment and self-worth. Through her personal journey, Poorna Bell encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and consider what they truly want from society and from themselves.

Dimension: 198 x 130 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471169236