A representative work of Shusaku Endo, a modern novelist that Japan is proud of.
The setting is 17th century Japan, a period of Christian persecution.
The story of a Portuguese Jesuit priest who was trusted by many, his missionary work, and the subsequent news of his apostasy, as well as the hardships and conflicts experienced by a disciple priest who went undercover to confirm the apostasy.
And God, you remain silent and ignore the pain of those who are dying cruelly just because they are Christians!

Theologically, the difficult question of "Where is God in times of suffering?" is quietly but heartwarmingly depicted through the inner thoughts of characters struggling in desperate situations where they must deny their faith to survive.

"The Japanese call anything that beautifies or enlarges a human being a god.
Do not call a being identical to a human being a god.
But that is not the God of the church."
"Is that all you've realized in twenty years in this country?"
"That's it."

Pereira nodded sadly.


“Because of that, missionary work lost its meaning to me.
The seedlings that were brought here with great difficulty have rotted away in this swamp called Japan.
I didn't realize it for a long time and didn't even try to find out."

--- pp.
235

"The night I spent here, five people were being tortured by hanging from a hole.
Five sounds mixed together and struck my ears.
The manager said this.
If you apostatize, I will immediately take those people out of the pit, untie the ropes, and give them medicine.
I answered.
Why don't those people apostatize?
The manager taught me with a smile.
They have already said several times that they will apostatize, but they cannot save those peasants unless you apostatize."
"You should have prayed."
The bride spoke in a tearful voice.
"Of course I prayed.
I kept praying.
But prayers did not ease the suffering of those people.
Those people have small holes behind their ears.
Blood is trickling out of that hole, nose, and mouth.
I know that pain because I experienced it with my own body.
Prayers never ease the pain." "The night I spent here, five people were being hung in a hole.
Five sounds mixed together and struck my ears.
The manager said this.
If you apostatize, I will immediately take those people out of the pit, untie the ropes, and give them medicine.
I answered.
Why don't those people apostatize?
The manager taught me with a smile.
They have already said several times that they will apostatize, but they cannot save those peasants unless you apostatize."
"You should have prayed."
The bride spoke in a tearful voice.
"Of course I prayed.
I kept praying.
But prayers did not ease the suffering of those people.
Those people have small holes behind their ears.
Blood is trickling out of that hole, nose, and mouth.
I know that pain because I experienced it with my own body.
Prayer never eases the pain."

--- pp.
235

"You value yourself more than they do.
At least your own salvation is what matters.
If you say you will apostatize, those people can come out of the pit.
A beggar who is saved from suffering.
Yet you are not trying to apostatize.
Because you are afraid of betraying the church for them.
"Because I'm afraid of becoming a stain on the church like I was." "You probably value yourself more than them.
At least your own salvation is what matters.
If you say you will apostatize, those people can come out of the pit.
A beggar who is saved from suffering.
Yet you are not trying to apostatize.
Because you are afraid of betraying the church for them.
Because I am afraid of becoming a stain on the church like I was."

--- pp.
264