Reviews

True Biz by Sara Nović

aurora_smith12's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative lighthearted tense 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? Yes

4.5

samantita's review against another edition

emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This was an eye-opening read on the unique stories that deaf teenagers and CODAs face. From not having the resources necessary to thrive in mainstream schools, to deaf schools being shut down, to the debate on whether or not cochlear implants are the solution to allowing deaf people to hear or if all they do is eradicate ASL and deaf culture and create more medical issues. These are not issues that hearing people such as myself have ever had to think about, and I'm grateful to learn about it them in such compelling narrative. 

While the ending was satisfying, it felt a bit quick. However, I could overlook that as my overall reading experience with this novel was enjoyable. I liked that Headmistress Waters' deaf culture lessons and the community ASL lessons were interspersed throughout the book. I thought that was a neat way to incorporate that information in a way that coincided with the narrative.

The way this author revealed her characters through such tiny moments in their lives was so clever and meaningful. I really appreciated the writing.

This is one of those stories that will stay with me.

deirgee's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

twinwaffle's review against another edition

3.0

Liked it well enough, but what? I mean, I expected less randomness and less unresolved stuff. Things to happen with meaning. Follow-through. I didn't expect to be let down, but I definitely feel that way.

And that ending, though... WTF???

Maybe my copy had chapters missing, or something. Ugh.

I would still recommend because of the ASL and deaf culture stuff, but not for the story. Good god no.

sarahalesbrittain's review

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? It's complicated

5.0

dreyhitz27's review against another edition

4.0

This was a 5 star read for me up until the last, idk, 60 pages. It’s was so excellent, so compelling, and told such an important story. I agree that the drama between Mel and February was not that needed but that was so small in the scheme of things. I loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone.

spaine's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

annawright's review against another edition

challenging

3.75

ashlynkcraig's review against another edition

3.0

I thought this was an interesting read. It gives a lot of background and history into Deaf culture, which is fascinating if you don’t know it, and a good refresh if you’re familiar. I thought the way the author depicted dialogue in ASL was well done, as it mimics the roll shifts in the language. I found it difficult at first to read the spoken dialogue with the lack of quotation marks (especially as a fast reader whose eyes already have a tendency to do some skipping around lol), but you get used to it fairly quickly. I haven’t done much research into why the author made this choice, but to me it also felt like it gently mirrored some of that communication confusion central to the book.

I was disappointed with the slow pacing of the story, and the ending was lack-luster and fell flat. Generally a fine read, but I wish the story had been better developed.

epatrickmaddox's review

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75