Dreams of Speaking

Aug 13, 2025 2:35 PM

Author:Gail Jones

Dreams of Speaking

Far away from home and her beloved but distant sister, Norah, Alice meets an old Japanese man on a train journey. Together they form an unlikely friendship at a crucial point in Alice's life where she is reflecting upon her family and her past, and disentangling herself from an old love affair.

Alice is fascinated by the poetry of technology, and Mr Sakomoto, a survivor of the atomic bomb, entrances her with his amazing stories of twentieth-century inventions, including Alexander Graham Bell and the mysteries of the telephone. Drawn together by their shared enthusiasms, these two solitary beings slowly come to rely on one another.

In Dreams of Speaking, prize-winning author Gail Jones paints with grace and skill the experience of needing to belong despite wanting to be alone.

Reviews

Leaves a lovely, subtle legacy

—— The Times

These stories are beautiful and honest

—— Lucy Daniel , Daily Telegraph

Jones has attempted and succeeded in writing a work that is both determinedly cerebral and emotionally alive

—— Irish Times

Shards of poetry stud Jones' writing like diamonds as she switches masterfully between a lyrical and academic register

—— Alev Adil , Independent

Startling images in spare prose

—— Guardian

A uniquely talented writer

—— Independent on Sunday

A beautiful story

—— Gold Coast Libraries

A first novel of uncommon poise and acuity, The Shadow of the Crescent Moon is set in an old and protracted war for land and dignity. But its swift and suspenseful narrative describes a fiercely contemporary battle in the human heart: between the seductive fantasy of personal freedom and the tenacious claims of family, community and history

—— Pankaj Mishra

An extraordinary first novel which reads like a politico-religious thriller. Compelling.

—— Hector Abads

This is (...) a human story, with love as well as ideology - Bhutto blends the two adroitly (and) writes with great poignancy, keeping the emotional pitch high

—— Financial Times

It's a heart-stopping thriller, as well as an important political commentary about oppression, occupation and war. Most strikingly, though, it's a devastating love story

—— Jemima Khan , New Statesman 'Books of the Year'

The novel is set over the course of one morning in a small town in Pakistan's tribal regions (and) follows the story of three brothers who are forced to make difficult choices. But the heart of the novel, for Bhutto, lies in the female characters

—— Observer

Thought-provoking. Above all, what The Shadow of the Crescent Moon captures so well is not just the trauma of war, but also the conflicts of contemporary Pakistanis, torn between remaining faithful to the legacy of previous generations, and their own dreams of choosing their own destiny

—— Sunday Telegraph

From the intrigue of the Tudor court to the battlefields of France, you will be entranced by the power, emotion, and sweeping romance of this spellbinding novel. I loved it and can’t wait for the next book in the series!

—— Syrie James, bestselling author of , The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen

... a riveting page-turner ... For historical fiction fans and Tudor aficionados, The Boleyn King is a must-read

—— Sherry Jones, author of , Four Sisters, All Queens

Previous Article：Ancient Appetites Next Article：The Elder Edda

Comments

Welcome to zzdbook comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.