Deaf Characters in Fictional Literature
Wednesday May 28, 2008
During the lazy days of summer, you may want to read a novel or a short story with deaf characters. Here are sources of information on novels and short stories with deaf characters, to help you in making your selection at the bookstore or a library. If you read any of the books that you learn about through these resources, come back to About.com and let us know which books you read and enjoyed.
Comments
Thanks for doing this well-written essay on the idea of pleasure reading with deaf characters in it.
I learn something about Daniel Defoe’s father-in-law, was once a teacher to deaf children. How interesting!
Unforuntately, Gallaudet’s Enclopyedia on Deafness set is too expensive for anyone to own or heavy to carry per volume to the beach. This set is somewhat outdated which it is supposed to be updated pretty long time ago.
FYI, this Gallaudet’s Enclopyedia on Deafness have numerous factual errors. That’ s why Dr.John Van Cleve promised me to correct those errors. He never had!
RLM
Maybe it may not be topic-related, but how about Fanfiction.Net and Fictionpress.com? Use “search” tool to look up “deaf” and chances are you might find home-made stories written by fans about their favorite TV/Movie characters dealing with a deaf person (or deafness itself), as well as original stories by aspiring writers with deaf-related subjects. They were pretty fun, clever and entertaining. ^^
Be aware that not all people can write very well, though, nor researched the deafness very thoroughly!
If you are looking for summer reading with deaf characters there are several I have read. Marlee Matlin has written a couple about a deaf young girl. Also, I read a series of murder mysteries with a female, deaf character. They were excellent I thought.
I am currently reading Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby. So far I am enjoying the book. I have read mystery books written by Penny Warner and they are paperbacks and easy to carry around.I also have read Sandra Brown’s book called Unspeakable and it is a mystery. Happy reading!
I loved Hurt Go Happy. I read it on a family trip to Williamsburg, VA from NY, and I laughed and cried the whole time! Enjoy!
Marlee Matlin’s books are written for 4-6th grade children, but are delightful.
Deaf Child Crossing
Nobody’s Perfect
Leading Ladies
My daughter just now handed me a new book: Deafening, by Frances Itani. Obviously, I haven’t read it yet, but it looks interesting. “A tale of virtuosity and power, set on the eve of the Great War and spanning two continents and the live and loves of a yound deaf woman in Canada.”
Pat: Some HOH friends and I just started reading Deafening as a group for a later online discussion. Contact me, dgross@hearinglossca.org if you’d like to join in.