Lately, I’ve found myself completely engrossed in a book that’s pushing the boundaries of my imagination: “REGISTRY OF SILENCE: A Novel” by Escribitionist. And let me tell you, it’s every bit as intriguing and thought-provoking as the title suggests.
From the very first pages, I was drawn into a future where language isn’t just communication, but a vital link to memory, and its survival hangs precariously in the balance. The premise itself is fascinating: our protagonist, Vera Nahai, is tasked with the seemingly impossible mission of recovering lost human languages from the depths of Archive E-0. But this isn’t just any archive; it’s a living system, haunted by the “ghost-code” of its vanished creator, Serafin Dolar.
As I’ve progressed through the story, I’m finding myself captivated by Vera’s journey. She’s not just deciphering forgotten words; she’s unearthing fragments of histories, exploring echoes of consciousness, and grappling with the concept of machine sentience and the potential collapse of meaning itself. The description hints at a deep dive into “labyrinthine layers” of the Archivum, shadowed by Alva Riesz, a keeper of hidden codes. This promises a rich, complex narrative, and so far, it’s delivering!
The blurb mentions “Meanwhile, apparitions from alternate timelines—Miran and Elias—begin to bleed into her perception, challenging the very foundations of time, identity, and reality.” This aspect has me particularly excited, as I love stories that play with perception and reality. It sounds like “Registry of Silence” is set to explore profoundly philosophical themes, wrapped within a “part spectacular thriller, part philosophical dreamscape.”
What truly hooks me is the promise that the book explores “the dark corners of forgetting and the power of what cannot be said.” Vera’s ultimate quest to discover and protect the truth from being destroyed feels incredibly resonant in today’s world. The comparison to works by Stanisław Lem, Borges, and Ted Chiang has definitely set my expectations high, and so far, it feels like it’s living up to those lofty comparisons.
“Registry of Silence” is shaping up to be a truly haunting debut that skillfully blurs the line between story and system, memory and machine. If you’re a fan of speculative fiction that makes you think, question, and feel, then this might be your next must-read.
I’m only partway through, but I can already tell this is one of those books that will stick with me long after I’ve turned the final page. Have any of you read it, or are you planning to? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!