We welcomed alumna Josie Ferguson back to Downe House who shared her journey to become a published author, inspiring the next generation of writers at Downe House. 

Shortlisted for Waterstones’ Debut Fiction of the Year, her debut novel The Silence In Between is set in Berlin. Lisette lives in East Berlin, but her new-born baby is being treated in a hospital in West Berlin. Under doctor's orders, Lisette goes home to rest, and overnight the border between East and West closes, slicing the city in two. Lisette is struck mute by despair. Witnessing her mother’s suffering, Lisette’s teenage daughter Elly hatches a daring plan to escape East Berlin, find her baby brother, and bring him home...

Exquisitely written and rich in historical detail – it’s a story of family, love, loss, fear and hope. A master-class in bringing history to life, Josie’s meticulous research immerses you in the story. She has taken real moments in history to create a book that is all the more moving, compelling and terrifying.

Reviewers have described The Silence In Between as “poignant, courageous and unforgettable”, “a page-turning, emotional epic that will stay with you long after you finish reading.” and “A compelling debut… a haunting and compassionate account of War’s legacy”.

She believes it’s important for young girls to see strong female characters in books and looks for untold stories that have been lost in the cracks of time but deserve to be heard.

Born in Sweden, to a family of writers and readers, Josie moved to Scotland when she was two and studied at Downe House between 1995-1999. Returning to Sweden in her twenties, she completed a vocational degree in Clinical Psychology and learned about the complexity of human nature, something she explores as a writer.

After graduating she moved to London to pursue a career in publishing, something she had dreamed about since delving into fictional worlds as a child, hidden under the duvet with a torch. She currently works as a writer and freelance book editor in Singapore, where she lives with her husband and two young children. She believes books about the past can change the future and she aspires to write as many as possible. 

Read more about Joise at josieferguson.com 

Read more about our other inspiring alumnae in our latest Cloisters magazine