Joseph is the descendant of an Armenian family that fled the Ottoman Empire during the genocide of the early twentieth century. A talented cellist, he is unable to come to terms with his family's burden. As he sets out on his adult life and musical career, Joseph hopes to break free from his heritage at the expense of concealing his roots. But when he falls in love with an Armenian woman, he is forced to confront denial and fear. The characters in this layered tale face a difficult choice: cling to the past and seek redress, even revenge, or move on and risk losing hold of their legacy. Set in Geneva, New York, and Yerevan, Such a Dangerous Silence explores exile and identity.