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Silent Tears: A Journey Of Hope In A Chinese Orphanage Audiobook
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(3.03) - 679 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Irrepressible memories. Vacant eyes. A child being dangled from a third story window. A boy tied to a chair. Children sleeping in layers of clothing to fight off the bitter cold. An infant dying from starvation. Some things your mind will never allow you to forget.
Silent Tears is the true story of the adversity and triumphs one woman faced as she fought against the Chinese bureaucracy to help that country’s orphaned children.
In 2003, Kay Bratt’s life changed dramatically. A wife and mother of two girls in South Carolina, Bratt relocated her family to rural China to support her husband as he took on a new management position for his American employer. Seeking a way to fill her days and overcome the isolation she experienced upon arriving in a foreign country, Bratt began volunteering at the local orphanage. Within months, her simple desire to make use of her time transformed into a heroic crusade to improve the living conditions and minimize the unnecessary deaths of Chinese orphans.
Silent Tears traces the emotional hurdles and daily frustrations faced by Ms. Bratt as she tried to change the social conditions for these marginalized children. The memoir vividly illustrates how she was able to pull from reservoirs of inner strength to pursue her mission day after day, leaving the reader with the resounding message that everyone really can make a difference.
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"This is a beautiful story of an American who volunteers in a Chinese orphanage. The conditions of the orphanage in this book are heartbreaking. It is unbelievable how strict Chinese adoption is when there are babies dying everyday because there are too many orphans and too little staff to care for them. This book is a tear jerker and makes you appreciate what you have."
— Victoria (4 out of 5 stars)
Silent Tears Listener Reviews
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" I just couldn't get into this book......it was interesting but I couldn't stand all of the horrific thongs happening. I was always sad after reading it and couldn't read it tip the end. "
— Jeni, 2/7/2014 -
" sad but inspiring the difference one person can make in a child's life. "
— Cathy, 2/6/2014 -
" I loved this memoir of a family in China and her experiences in the orphanage. Brings light to cultural differences, and daily goings on of a Chinese orphanage. "
— Lena, 1/22/2014 -
" Couldn't finish the book. At about 70% finished I had enough of the repetitiveness. "
— Berklee, 1/14/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book but it was very difficult to read. It makes me so sad to think of all those little ones over there. "
— Laura, 12/27/2013 -
" I am really intrigued by the work that this woman has done for this orphanage. I was blessed to volunteer in an amazing orphanage. This book showed me the difference that we can do in any situation if we are just diligent. I did feel like the book dragged on a bit at the end but overall I loved it. "
— Taylee, 12/15/2013 -
" I made it about halfway and decided it was too sad for me to finish. "
— Karen, 12/12/2013 -
" I found this book sad but inspirational. Written by a women during her four years living in China with her husband and young daughter you can easily see how difficult it is to be an ex- pat in any culture. What the author accomplishes during her time living in China is truly remarkable. "
— Paige, 12/11/2013 -
" I found the book very interesting. Why some found the author so annoying was beyond me. I guess I read it more for the info on orphanage life rather than info on Kay Bratt. "
— Jessica, 11/21/2013 -
" Amazing, heart wrenching, and hopeful book! "
— Jean, 10/23/2013 -
" This book broke my heart, angered and frustrated me and gave me hope. Well written in diary form,which helps you endure the hardships. Story line covers the experiences of an american woman who volunteers at a Chinese orphanage over a two year period. "
— Kathy, 10/13/2013 -
" A very eye opening read about an orphanage in china. Make you remember how blessed we are here in America. "
— Kim, 9/13/2013 -
" Interesting and tough to read - esp. in light of being mom to SG and H. Very realistic look at life in an orphanage in China. Didn't connect well with the author. Admire many of her qualities, but something left me a little flat about her. "
— Tricia, 8/25/2013 -
" A true life portrayal of life in a Chinese orphanage. I was very interested in this book because my two oldest children were adopted from Korea. I found a link to the White Lily Orphanage that Jenny stayed at for a while. It is still functioning and is run by a order of nuns. "
— Peggy, 8/8/2013 -
" Not a very polished writing style but nonetheless a good read as a memoir "
— Catherine, 7/28/2013 -
" Amazing insight into the life of orphans in some Chinese orphanages. Helps me understand my daughter's history. "
— Victoria, 7/21/2013 -
" Very disturbing orphanage conditions, but inspiring to see what people can do to bring change. "
— Krista, 5/16/2013 -
" This was a difficult book to read. I was completely astounded at the conditions of the Chinese orphanage where Bratt volunteered. I cannot believe such conditions still exist. "
— Dianna, 5/14/2013 -
" Good book about children in orphanages in China. Sad "
— Lesley, 4/3/2013 -
" It was a good introduction to China, although her attitude in parts of the book bugged me ( a little judgmental). "
— Dana, 3/30/2013 -
" Beautifully written memoir! Great read! "
— Shawna, 3/18/2013 -
" /Very interesting account of this person's journey to China and her experiences over several years of working as a volunteer in a Chinese orphanage. Heart rending "
— Susan, 2/8/2013
About Kay Bratt
Kay Bratt is a child advocate and author who lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina. She lived in China for over four years, and because of her experiences working with orphans, she strives to be the voice for children who cannot speak for themselves. She is currently an active volunteer for the nonprofit organization called An Orphan’s Wish. If you would like to read more about what started her career as an author, and also meet the children she knew and loved in China, read her poignant memoir, Silent Tears: A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage.
About Shannon McManus
Shannon McManus, award-winning narrator, is a Los Angeles–based actor, writer, and voice artist. Her natural vocal abilities and extensive theater training have led to work in audiobook narration, commercial voice-over, and animation. Critical praise includes an Audiofile Earphones Award and a Publishers Weekly Listen Up! Award in children’s and young adult fiction.