Silence
Shūsaku Endō · 1966
About this book
A Portuguese Jesuit missionary faces persecution in 17th-century Japan in this profound novel about faith and cultural collision. It illuminates why Christianity struggled in Japan and how Japanese culture absorbs and transforms foreign ideas.
Why read this for language learning
"Silence" is an advanced read for Japanese learners, offering Endō's profound exploration of faith and cultural clash in 17th-century Japan. The prose is solemn and reflective, exposing learners to vocabulary related to religious concepts, historical events, and moral dilemmas. It provides deep cultural and historical insights into the persecution of Christians in Japan and the complex interplay between different belief systems. This novel is essential for understanding a significant period in Japanese history and for engaging with universal questions of faith and human suffering.
Vocabulary you will encounter
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