Erling Kagge walked to the South Pole and during that time he experienced complete silence. In our modern lives this is not something we are accustomed to and Kagge philosophises about the nature of silence and the need to accept it into our lives. This is a thin but profound book which asks us to step back from what we think we know and want and consider our own mental health.

I found this book deeply unsatisfying.  Whatever it's about, it's not really about silence.  Erling Kagge is a well known explorer and traveller.  My expectations, based on the book's summary, was that he would be writing about his experiences of silence journeying to the North or South Poles and that he might reach some profound conclusions.  But no!

Full of quotes and examples from philosophers, other explorers and writers, it's as if Kagge has Googled up 'quotes on silence' and written a few words of his own around them.  The result is an unstructured rambling that occasionally focuses on silence but is really about taking time to smell the flowers, to use a hackneyed expression.  He very briefly mentions that he takes pleasure in practising  mindfulness, yoga and meditation.  He says 'I lie there hovering a couple of centimetres above my bed every afternoon'. Yes, I feel sceptical about this but he could have explored this in more detail than a few sentences.  THAT might have been interesting.

He finishes with 'Now and then someone asks me what the most difficult thing about skiing through Antarctica was, and there is no doubt in my mind about the answer: my arrival at the South Pole.  Having to speak again.'  Aha! I thought. Now we're getting somewhere, not realising I was reading the third last page.  Then he finishes with a mawkish sentiment, 'You all need to find your own South Pole.'  Pullease!!

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books (UK) for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review to be published on Goodreads on September 21st 2017

'Silence' by Erling Kagge, translated by Betty L. Crook

3 stars/ 6 out of 10

The whole subject of solitude and silence is of great interest to me, and I have already read several books on this topic. I was interested in reading this new book by Erling Kagge, the Norwegian explorer and adventurer.

The main body of this book consists of thirty-three sections, which look at various aspects of the 3 questions that Kagge raises: 'What is silence? Where is it? Why is it more important now than ever?'

The examples in his answers are taken from many sources, ranging from businessmen to philosophers. 

I'm pleased that Kagge looked at both aspects of silence; both of actual silence, and of the silence that we can find, even when surrounded by noise. I have always found the latter more of an asset than the former.

I found the book interesting enough as an overview. I think if a reader wanted to look at the subject in depth, there are other books that would provide more a more detailed insight.

Thank you to Viking and to NetGalley for an ARC.