When We Were Silent

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Certainly! “When We Were Silent” by Fiona McPhillips is a gripping debut novel set in Dublin’s most exclusive private school, Highfield Manor. Here’s a concise summary:

Louise Manson, an outsider from a working-class background, enrolls at Highfield Manor. Behind its elegant facade lies a dark secret that Lou is determined to expose. She befriends some of her wealthy classmates, but her quest for truth leads to a life-altering tragedy. Thirty years later, Lou receives a shocking phone call—a high-profile lawyer is suing the school, and he needs her testimony. Lou must confront her past and uncover what truly happened at Highfield.

Main Characters

The main characters in “When We Were Silent” by Fiona McPhillips include:

1. Louise Manson: A new scholarship student at Highfield Manor, Louise is an outsider with a working-class background. She becomes friends with the beautiful and wealthy Shauna Power. Lou’s quest to expose the school’s dark secret leads to a life-altering tragedy¹².
2. Shauna Power: A privileged and wealthy student at Highfield Manor, Shauna befriends Louise. However, even Shauna is caught up in the web of secrets at the school

Plot

“When We Were Silent” by Fiona McPhillips is a gripping novel that alternates between Louise Manson’s past at Highfield Manor and her present life. Here’s a concise summary:

In 1986, 17-year-old Louise Manson enrolls at the prestigious Highfield Manor to avenge her best friend Tina, who tragically took her own life after being repeatedly raped by Maurice McQueen, the school’s gym teacher and swim coach. McQueen promptly molests Lou as well, but when she reports him to school authorities, nobody believes her

Setting

“When We Were Silent” by Fiona McPhillips is set in Dublin’s most exclusive private school, Highfield Manor. Behind the tall granite pillars, lilac-filled front gate, and well-manicured grounds lies a dark undercurrent. The oak-lined library, though dimly lit, hides secrets that threaten to unravel. Lou Manson, the newest student, becomes an outsider with her working-class status. She befriends some of her beautiful and wealthy classmates, but her quest to expose the school’s secret leads to a life-altering tragedy.

Themes

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The theme of “When We Were Silent” by Fiona McPhillips revolves around exploitation, privilege, and retribution. Set in Dublin’s exclusive private school, Highfield Manor, the novel delves into dark secrets, lies, and the vile abuse of power by a swimming coach.

Conclusion

The conclusion of “When We Were Silent” by Fiona McPhillips is both powerful and thought-provoking. After thirty years, Lou Manson, now with a daughter and career to protect, receives a shocking phone call. A high-profile lawyer is bringing a lawsuit against Highfield Manor, the elite private school where Lou once studied. To finally free herself and others, Lou must confront her past, go to battle once more, and discover, once and for all, what really happened at Highfield¹²³.

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