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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
I really like Sara Novic's writing but the ending was lacking a bit for me. Otherwise loved this though.
Awesome details on the deaf culture. This includes not only the language, but also differences in behaviours, expressions, etc... from the hearing. I love the layout of the book, especially when "lessons" were provided that you could learn with the character.
I'm not big on coming of age (?) books so I can't say the story had me enthralled, but I loved the information it provided.
I'm not big on coming of age (?) books so I can't say the story had me enthralled, but I loved the information it provided.
Super enlightening look into Deaf culture—it's one of those rare books where I was thoroughly engaged and entertained, but I also learned a lot. I'd like to read it all over again in print this time (it felt a little blasphemous to read this on audiobook ngl) since it felt like I was missing an important layer without the visual element.
I feel like reading from three different perspectives help show the breadth of experiences within Deaf culture: February, who is hearing but raised by Deaf parents; Austin, raised by a Deaf family spanning back generations; and Charlie, Deaf but saddled with a faulty Cochlear implant and forced to try and assimilate into the hearing world. We also get a few snippets from side characters like Kayla and Elliot that I wish were fleshed out a little more, as they provide some interesting discussions on BASL and the intersection of Deafness and religion. Overall though, I felt the author did a great job portraying her characters as REAL people with families, friends, careers, dreams, desires, and jealousies. In short, you can tell that it's coming from an authentic place.
I do think the story meanders a bit with the various love triangles and relationship drama; I had a hard time buying into Charlie and Austin's "instalove" and frequently got annoyed with February for her deception and weird drama with Mel and Wanda. My main beef though was with the ending. The overall story is pretty slow, but the ending felt so rushed and kind of unsatisfying. I was left wanting more!
Definitely still highly recommend this book though—it's both eye-opening and humanizing and all around just an entertaining read.
I feel like reading from three different perspectives help show the breadth of experiences within Deaf culture: February, who is hearing but raised by Deaf parents; Austin, raised by a Deaf family spanning back generations; and Charlie, Deaf but saddled with a faulty Cochlear implant and forced to try and assimilate into the hearing world. We also get a few snippets from side characters like Kayla and Elliot that I wish were fleshed out a little more, as they provide some interesting discussions on BASL and the intersection of Deafness and religion. Overall though, I felt the author did a great job portraying her characters as REAL people with families, friends, careers, dreams, desires, and jealousies. In short, you can tell that it's coming from an authentic place.
I do think the story meanders a bit with the various love triangles and relationship drama; I had a hard time buying into Charlie and Austin's "instalove" and frequently got annoyed with February for her deception and weird drama with Mel and Wanda. My main beef though was with the ending. The overall story is pretty slow, but the ending felt so rushed and kind of unsatisfying. I was left wanting more!
Definitely still highly recommend this book though—it's both eye-opening and humanizing and all around just an entertaining read.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Drug use, Dementia, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Religious bigotry
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Drug use, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-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:
Yes
This was a heavy book but a great read. The characters were lovely, their relationships fully formed and beautifully written, the story really gripping, interspersed with nonfiction content to support the characters and narrative. The deaf community and deaf history are so often left out of textbooks and society as a whole. This book let me into a community I admittedly knew less about than I thought.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
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:
No
#MMDBookClub Pick for September 2023 • 4 Stars
This novel follows the lives of three characters who are connected by a boarding school for the deaf in Ohio. It explores themes of identity, community, disability, and civil rights. Charlie is a rebellious transfer student who is deaf; Austin, a popular senior who is also deaf and whose sister is hearing; and February, a hearing headmistress who is a child of deaf adults. The novel is based on the author’s own experiences as a deaf person and a teacher of deaf students.
This novel follows the lives of three characters who are connected by a boarding school for the deaf in Ohio. It explores themes of identity, community, disability, and civil rights. Charlie is a rebellious transfer student who is deaf; Austin, a popular senior who is also deaf and whose sister is hearing; and February, a hearing headmistress who is a child of deaf adults. The novel is based on the author’s own experiences as a deaf person and a teacher of deaf students.
informative
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes