More than Writers

I have loved many books in my life, but the ones that stand out for me have three ingredients: archetypal themes, emotional charge and X factor. And they are the ones which can indeed change the way you see the world. 1)   The power to shock and move Shusaku Endo's  Silence Set in the 17th century, this is the story of the persecution of Jesuit missionaries sent to Japan. It has been called 'Endo's supreme achievement' and 'one of the twentieth century's finest novels'. In this book, the Catholic Endo explores the theme of a silent God who accompanies the believer in adversity. It was greatly influenced by the author's experience of religious discrimination in Japan and racism in France. During the years that have elapsed since I read this book, I have never forgotten the image of the Japanese Christians being tied to a stake at the sea's edge, and forced to endure the sea rolling back and forth over their bodies, and singing:  We are going to the t...