Between the Lines: Radio Silence

D. Khan, Student Life Section Editor|March 4, 2022

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman.

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman.

“Hello. I hope somebody is listening…”

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

What if everything you set yourself up to be was wrong?

Frances has always been a study machine with one goal, elite university. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret – not even the person she is on the inside. But when Frances meets Aled, the shy genius behind her favourite podcast, she discovers a new freedom. He unlocks the door to Real Frances and for the first time, she experiences true friendship, unafraid to be herself. Then the podcast goes viral and the fragile trust between them is broken.

Caught between who she was and who she longs to be, Frances’ dreams come crashing down. Suffocating with guilt, she knows that she has to confront her past… She has to confess why Carys disappeared…

Meanwhile at uni, Aled is alone, fighting even darker secrets.

 It’s only by facing up to your fears that you can overcome them. And it’s only by being your true self that you can find happiness. Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has.

With class registration opening this week, we’ve all been thinking about our futures. What career should we pursue? Which friendships will last, and which won’t? Is it time to get serious and let go of our childish interests? Radio Silence by Alice Oseman covers all these questions perfectly, making it one of the most relatable books I’ve ever read. It follows Frances and her best friend Aled as they work together on Aled’s podcast, Universe City. Their platonic-soulmate relationship is refreshing in a genre flooded in forced romance, and side characters like Daniel and Raine are equally loveable. The characters talk like real teenagers, have real interests, and face real issues–none of that “omg totes lol #drama” adult authors tend to write. The story itself is interrupted with podcast scripts that add a level of mystery and give the reader a chance to look deeper at what’s really happening, keeping them on the edge of their seats. Yes, Radio Silence is a thick book, but it’s not painful; the first time I read the novel, I feverishly finished it in one sitting. Although it takes place in a pre-established universe, you don’t need to have read any of Oseman’s other series to get drawn into this standalone. And believe me, you will get drawn in. That synopsis barely brushes the surface of this fantastic novel.