You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Popsugar reading challenge: A book by a deaf or hard-of-hearing author
3.5 stars that I’m rounding up because I got really absorbed in this book and that counts for something.
This book takes on some truly fascinating subjects and often does so pretty well. And I always love stories about disability that aren’t inspiration or tragedy porn. I loved that the students got to be deaf, yes, but also get up to some very teenagery shenanigans.
However, this book initially starts out with a very riveting vision and thesis and then increasingly collapses in on itself with all the layers it adds. Celeste Ng endorsing this book ended up being prophetic because it had the same flaws I’ve seen in Ng’s work; specifically it’s extremely didactic in places, with characters that seem increasingly one note. Also the tendency to set up interesting scenarios but quickly pivot away from them in favor of Teaching A Lesson.
Also there’s something funny about having a black character do the “I’m not going to educate you” thing… but then only give her one POV chapter where she educates the audience. Maybe the author thought it was Not Her Place but damn you’ve made it your place now by including the theme in the damn book. At least let that character have more scenes where we get things shown and not told with her.
I usually like an ambiguous end but this one was a little too ambiguous, maybe.
Still a worthwhile read I think if the plot summary appeals to you.
3.5 stars that I’m rounding up because I got really absorbed in this book and that counts for something.
This book takes on some truly fascinating subjects and often does so pretty well. And I always love stories about disability that aren’t inspiration or tragedy porn. I loved that the students got to be deaf, yes, but also get up to some very teenagery shenanigans.
However, this book initially starts out with a very riveting vision and thesis and then increasingly collapses in on itself with all the layers it adds. Celeste Ng endorsing this book ended up being prophetic because it had the same flaws I’ve seen in Ng’s work; specifically it’s extremely didactic in places, with characters that seem increasingly one note. Also the tendency to set up interesting scenarios but quickly pivot away from them in favor of Teaching A Lesson.
Spoiler
For example, Austin’s sister being born non-deaf into a multigenerational deaf family. It was a really poignant scenario and I was riveted by the complexity of emotions surrounding it. But then the baby slowly lost her ability to hear and then we introduce her parents considering outfitting her with hearing implants. Because the book was bending in the direction of spelling out the flaws of hearing implants. But the scenario immediately became less interesting as did the characters in this family because they were reduced to mouthpieces for this theme. Thankfully this happened towards the end.Also there’s something funny about having a black character do the “I’m not going to educate you” thing… but then only give her one POV chapter where she educates the audience. Maybe the author thought it was Not Her Place but damn you’ve made it your place now by including the theme in the damn book. At least let that character have more scenes where we get things shown and not told with her.
I usually like an ambiguous end but this one was a little too ambiguous, maybe.
Still a worthwhile read I think if the plot summary appeals to you.
I LOVED this book... up until the last little bit. It's such a good insight into Deaf culture and ASL and really develops the characters, until you get to the end and absolutely none of the plot points are solved in a way that makes sense.
Really compelling and informative look into Deaf culture. Didn’t love the ending, otherwise would have been a 5 star read
informative
inspiring
ich mochte die informativen einwürfe sehr, doch die charaktere haben sich nicht so echt gefühlt. es wird so viel nach belieben von pov zu pov gesprungen und das ende wurde nicht gut ausgeführt. sehr schade!
informative
medium-paced
I enjoyed this book. I found it informative and learned a bit, but I can't handle the ending... or lack thereof? I also would've liked more of the adult side of the story versus the kids' perspective.
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
SO good and so educational. I loved the illustrations of ASL, the history lessons sprinkled throughout, and learning about aspects of Deaf culture I had no idea about.
Also just a great story full of flawed (real!) characters going through a lot.
All around just so so good.
Also just a great story full of flawed (real!) characters going through a lot.
All around just so so good.
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated