A review by emmareviews
The Sign for Home by Blair Fell

3.5

This book was not what I was expecting and I do feel like that was because of the inaccurate descriptions I had heard of it. The tagline and summary that were marketed did not line up with what the majority of this story actually was. That being said, there was a lot I thought was great about this book. This tells the story of a DeafBlind man’s world being opened up when he meets a new interpreter. This also forces him to question some previously held beliefs. This is a coming of age story that discusses love and friendship, but also neglect and spiritual abuse. I will say I have read some different books with ASL or Deaf representation, and this definitely felt like one where its culture and a DeafBlind experience were integral to the story and not an afterthought. Some of the cultural elements also felt relatable to some experiences I have had. I liked the portrayal of ASL in writing (which can often be annoying) and loved how each character’s voice felt distinct. I also was exposed to a lot more detail about what a DeafBlind person may experience and interpreting for a DeafBlind individual than I had been previously. That being said, there were aspects of this story that were less of my personal reading preference. The characters frustrated me frequently and acted incredibly inappropriately. Even if I understood that was the point, it was still frustrating as a reader. This was also a heavier read than I had been expecting (which again has nothing to do with the quality of the book, just how my expectations influenced my experience). I also think that while I enjoyed both perspectives we were following, I would have enjoyed more time following Arlo (the DeafBlind lead) and unpacking more about how he personally grew and changed. All in all, this was a fascinating story, and it has inspired me to want to read more books with Deaf characters as well as Deaf authors. 🗣🫵🏼👥🤕📈🌥️