Whispers is a 1993 domestic violence novel written by Belva Plain.
It takes place in Connecticut, where the young and naïve secretary Lynn falls in love with the ambitious and handsome executive Robert. Robert seems like a marvelous partner at first, but has occasional violent outbursts. The novel brings into question whether it is okay for a partner to hit their significant other if it is only "every now and then".
Contents
Summary
Lynn is a middle class secretary who was born in Iowa. She simple, yet pretty and even though she's smart due to her small town upbringing she is naive. Her self esteem fluctuates between medium and low, finding herself rather ordinary and very short. At work she befriends and later falls in love with her boss, Robert, a handsome and talented young man who is destined to a great future within the company.
They start dating and quickly get married. After Robert gets a promotion they move to Connecticut with her two young daughters.
At first Robert is sweet and gentle, retelling his life like a fairytale with a tragic past, his parents being lovely but having an untimely death back when he was young, having been married once but tragically being left by his neurotic ex-wife. Lynn gets entangled in a web of sugarcoated lies and half truths and is dazzled by Robert's good looks and gentlemanly demeanor. Yet as time and their marriage progresses Robert lets his true colours show: he's possessive, domineering, controlling, and abusive emotionally, psychologically, and lastly physically. He's a narcissist and a perfectionist that wants to have "either the best or nothing", demanding everyone to follow the same mantra and exploding if things don't go his way.
After a series of events where the truth of his former marriage is revealed he ultimately beats Lynn to near death and ends up without a marriage and without a family.
Lynn learns that her self worth is not to be dictated by anyone, that being abused is not something to be ashamed of as it's not her fault, that rather she should stand up for herself and her little family and rise her voice to protect herself and her loved ones. She also realizes that she is not a helpless little woman after all, that she has an inner fire that might not be showy but is just as roaring as anyone else's, giving her the strength to stand on her own two feet, finally opening her restaurant, and letting herself seek her much dreamed happiness.
Characters
Lynn: The protagonist of the novel, naive, young, pretty and vulnerable, she falls in love with Robert and blames herself for many of the faults he perceives in her which leads to abuse. She is the mother of three daughters, one of the deceased in a drowning accident, and a son. She loves to cook and dreams of having her own restaurant and catering service company, yet her husband constantly puts her down, abusing her not only emotionally and psychologically but also physically. She ends her relationship with Robert after being almost beat to death in front of her baby son and after some years starts a new relationship with Bruce.
Robert: A company executive on the fast-track to being promoted. He is picture-perfect on the outside and career-oriented. Even at home, he appears to be the perfect husband. However, he reacts violently to embarrassment or negative situations, oftentimes resulting in a beating to his wife, Lynn. He is a perfectionist that will not take no for an answer, wanting everything to his liking ("Either the best or nothing."), domineering to the extent of never letting his wife manage money or trying to control his eldest daughter's friendships and relationships when they are not to his liking. He was married once before to a woman named Amada and had a son with her, who refuses to see him. He ends up in disgrace after the "secret" of his sporadic beatings to his wife leaks out, thus losing his job, his reputation, and his family.
Bruce: Robert's subordinate, Lynn's friend, and Josie's husband. He's a sweet natured man with golden hair that "has a friendly twinkle in his eyes and likes cats" according to Josie. He has a passion for antiques and buys a lot of them. His deep love for his wife transpires in every action he takes. Yet, he admits he always thought of Lynn as someone other than just a friend saying that "maybe there's not just one person for us, but many more."
He knows about the abuse Lynn suffers, but is powerless to do much other than support her in his quiet way due to being Robert's subordinate. He is with her in the aftermath of her beating and defends her from Robert. After years of separation, as he took a job abroad, he returns to the United States and starts a new life wit Lynn and her children.
Josie Bruce's late wife, Lynn's best friend. She was an energetic and charismatic social worker who knew full well what Robert does to Lynn and hates him for it, telling Lynn she deserves better but respecting her decision of staying for the kids. Josie suffered from breast cancer, and had several surgeries throughout the novel till finally she loses her battle and dies. Her last wishes were for Emily to have her money to go to the University she wanted and for Lynn to live a happy and safe life. She liked cats and took very good care of her one pet cat.