In times of war, love can be found in the most unlikely of places. During World War I, Harry Lambert reluctantly finds himself fighting on Europe's Western Front. Watching his mates die around him, Harry can't bear the thought of dying before ever having truly known love. Making a life - changing decision, he walks away from the battlefield into an unfamiliar and hostile French countryside. Desperately trying to avoid capture, he meets Colombe, a stoic farm - wife bowed by hard work and tragedy, who risks everything to save his life. PRAISE FOR SILENT PARTS 'One of the books of the year.' The Age 'A ''must - read'' in any serious consideration of Australian war writing.' The Courier - Mai 'With his second novel, Charalambous delivers an exceptional war novel that reinterprets nationalist history.' Australian Book Review.