Ohhhhh yes.
The sudden silence.

Profound Silence

If anyone says not enough action is in this book, they just don't get how much can go on in the space of fifteen minutes of silence. For action to CEASE is in itself a notable action.
Alas. I find myself very alone, as a reader, and wishing for people to talk books with. The way we'd talk about our cousins, our co-workers, our sisters, our neighbors. Because that what fictional characters are - our neighbors, in the guise of fiction!
(Well, Charles may be a fairy tale, but that is NOT a complaint.) :)