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2022: Big, big fan of this novel.
I enjoyed [b:Girl at War|23209971|Girl at War|Sara Nović|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1414348859l/23209971._SX50_.jpg|42753077] by Nović and started following her on Twitter shortly after reading her first novel. I've learned a lot about navigating a hearing world as a Deaf person from her tweets, so I was thrilled when she announced that her next book would take place at a Deaf school. If you were a fan of Deaf U on Netflix (but maybe want something a little less reality-tv-esque) this book would be perfect for you.
I listened to the audiobook version of this novel, which was awesome because when the characters are signing, you listen to the narrator speaking the translation over the sound of the author signing the text. ASL can be quite a loud language, between the sounds that hands naturally make and the emphasis placed on the words with breath and facial expressions. It was a treat to be able to experience the story in this way, and I would highly recommend this version of the book.
I know quite a bit of the history of the development of ASL (thanks to some Deaf friends growing up and a number of school projects) but I had never heard of BASL (Black American Sign Language). I was thrilled to discover that in this book, and am always pleased when novels teach me things and expand my horizons. How frustrating that I had never come across this before, despite my active research into the lives of the Deaf community, and what a confirmation that racism is still alive and well (not that there was any doubt there).
The most moving part of the whole book was the list of schools for the Deaf that have been closed at the end. Devastating! I learned so much reading this book. Also, it's 2022 - who the fuck doesn't believe that Deaf people are just speaking another language?! Thanks to Nović for putting a part of her life on display for us to learn from and enjoy experiencing.
I enjoyed [b:Girl at War|23209971|Girl at War|Sara Nović|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1414348859l/23209971._SX50_.jpg|42753077] by Nović and started following her on Twitter shortly after reading her first novel. I've learned a lot about navigating a hearing world as a Deaf person from her tweets, so I was thrilled when she announced that her next book would take place at a Deaf school. If you were a fan of Deaf U on Netflix (but maybe want something a little less reality-tv-esque) this book would be perfect for you.
I listened to the audiobook version of this novel, which was awesome because when the characters are signing, you listen to the narrator speaking the translation over the sound of the author signing the text. ASL can be quite a loud language, between the sounds that hands naturally make and the emphasis placed on the words with breath and facial expressions. It was a treat to be able to experience the story in this way, and I would highly recommend this version of the book.
I know quite a bit of the history of the development of ASL (thanks to some Deaf friends growing up and a number of school projects) but I had never heard of BASL (Black American Sign Language). I was thrilled to discover that in this book, and am always pleased when novels teach me things and expand my horizons. How frustrating that I had never come across this before, despite my active research into the lives of the Deaf community, and what a confirmation that racism is still alive and well (not that there was any doubt there).
The most moving part of the whole book was the list of schools for the Deaf that have been closed at the end. Devastating! I learned so much reading this book. Also, it's 2022 - who the fuck doesn't believe that Deaf people are just speaking another language?! Thanks to Nović for putting a part of her life on display for us to learn from and enjoy experiencing.