Rented Silence, based on a true story, exposes South Africa's crimes against humanity during and after British colonial rule. It takes you through a roller coaster of emotions as it describes South Africa from post-WWII to modern day. "Two tiny newborns were buried alive in a compost pit, covered with corn husks and left to die. A hungry wild dog, saliva flowing, stood impatiently over the mound. As it started to dig out its prey, an escaped slave whooshed it away. Drawn by the sound of a weak human cry, the runaway cautiously approached the mournful whimper. What could provoke a new mother to bury her twin babies alive? A will to protect her children from the inescapable pain and horror of becoming chattel to an evil South African plantation owner.

Historical Fiction,

Post-WWII Africa through the eyes of characters who unearth the painful secrets of those times: Shiya, a white newborn rescued from an intended grave, who lives five idyllic years in the bush before she is captured, tormented, & eventually freed; Anele, the black runaway slave who saves her.

The while infant becomes a slave (sex and work) to the plantation owner, and, after he sends her to an insane asylum to be forgotten, she is saved and goes on to educate herself and lead a productive life.

South Africa

Yes

Overcoming Monster/Villain

Happy Ending, Meaningful Message, Philosophical Questions, Coming of Age

Sexual Abuse

Name: Shiya

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Complex, Desperate, Honorable, Naive, Perseverance, Underdog, Aspiring

Name: Anele

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Role: Sidekick

Key Traits: Adventurous, Aspiring, Empathetic, Honorable, Modest

Name: Alan Hallworthy

Age: 30

Gender: Male

Role: Antagonist

Key Traits: Power-hungry, Aggressive, Crazy, Criminal

The author has not yet written this

Age: 18-34

Target Gender: Universal

Information not completed

Status: Yes: with a Publisher

Publisher: Grassroots Publishing Group

Year Published: 2016

No

Information not completed