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carakupferman's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The story in this book is tremendously moving, but its most unique and interesting feature is the use of voice. Cyril’s perspective is written in a classic first person narration, but Arlo’s perspective is written in second person, creating a sense of both distance and intimacy, putting you in Arlo’s head while also taking you out of the moment. I also loved the way Blair Fell translated and transliterated ASL, preserving the distinctness of ASL from English and giving his Deaf and DeafBlind characters an authentic voice. This book is so interesting and compelling. Possibly my favorite so far this year!
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Bullying, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Cancer, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Addiction, and Alcohol
a_manning11's review
- 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
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Physical abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Ableism, Death of parent, Cancer, Bullying, Alcoholism, and Infidelity
purplepenning's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This is genuinely one of the best books I've read — in fiction or nonfiction — for introducing a reader to the world and experiences of a person who is living a very different kind of life from the reader's. The story, at times heartrending, heart-pounding, and joyous, lagged in the middle for me and some of the JW content may be difficult to read for those who have experienced controlling religious groups. The writing, however, carried me through. The author does a beautiful job of conveying the voice and experiences of these characters and it's full of information about DDBHH (Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing) communication. It also avoids, calls out, and subverts lazy tropes and stereotypes (including the savior trope) and avoids lapsing into inspiration p*rn. It is inspiring, though — it's an inspiring look at the kinds of discussions we should be having and services we should be expanding for our disabled communities.
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Blood, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Violence, Cancer, Confinement, Homophobia, Sexual content, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Cursing, Police brutality, and Excrement
kimveach's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Blood, Cancer, Homophobia, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Ableism, Addiction, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Violence, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, and Medical trauma
amberinpieces's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Ableism
Moderate: Medical content, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Vomit, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Death of parent, and Homophobia
bel017's review
- 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
I hadn't realised there was neglect, confinement and emotional abuse of a child on the page. I wouldn't have read it if I'd realised, so I skipped all those sections as best I could. Lots of fascinating, terrible and excellent information about the DeafBlind community, wrapped in a challenging but heartfelt story. By the time I realised the triggers I was in too deep and had to find out what happened.
I was shocked at how many parents of Deaf children don't learn sign language. The idea that they ... choose not to? Don't have the resources to? I don't understand. Everything was distressing.
I didn't realise this had been listed as a romance. It's not really a romance, it's a bildungsroman (coming of age story).
Graphic: Bullying, Ableism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Medical content, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Confinement, and Terminal illness
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Cancer, Excrement, Outing, Blood, and Sexual harassment
uranaishi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Ableism, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Excrement, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Violence, Medical content, Outing, Terminal illness, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Cancer, Colonisation, and Cursing
Minor: Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Deportation, Physical abuse, Vomit, Blood, Child death, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
imds's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Ableism, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Homophobia, Grief, Cancer, Bullying, and Alcoholism
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
stacy837's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Cursing, Ableism, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, and Self harm
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death of parent, Rape, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Sexual content
jenlovesbooksandcoffee's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Bullying, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Ableism, and Cursing
Moderate: Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Cancer