|
Publisher:
HarperPerennial Canada |
Release
Date: August 1, 2003 |
ISBN:
0871139022 |
Awards:
|
Format
Reviewed: Hardcover |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Fiction |
Reviewed:
2004 |
Reviewer:
Brenda Weeaks |
Reviewer
Notes: Major Deaf Character (Grania ONeill) |
Copyright
MyShelf.com |
|
Deafening: A Novel
By Frances Itani
Grania
is five years old and deaf. She lives in Deseronto, Ontario with
her family. Her father owns a hotel in Deseronto, Ontario. Her mother
cooks for the guests and her grandmother (Mamo) takes care of the
family.
Grania
has a special family. Her mother tells her to pay attention and
be ready to break through the silence. Her Mamo helps
Grania to use her voice and learn how to read. Her sister, Tress,
helps her to feel safe at night by stretching a rope between their
beds. Her father tells her to speak her fears into the dark, and
they will go away. Her brother and sister make up homemade language
to communicate with her.
By age
nine, Grania goes to the deaf school in Bellville. Shes gone
nine months out of the year, learns how to sign, and gains many
friends. Nola is a friend who prays every night not to wake
up blind. Grania prays that she doesnt have to
live there forever.
When
Grania grows up, she falls in love with a hearing man. Jim (Chim)
is from Prince Edward Island. He is attracted to her silence and
wants to know the worse things about being deaf. Shortly after they
marry, Jim is sent off to war. He becomes part of the Number Nine
field ambulance, which is a part of the Third Canadian division.
The couples separation is extensive and difficult. Though
they write back and forth, its their emotional and sacred
commitment to each other that keeps them in contact, instinctively.
It is truly touching.
Deafening
is slow to start but quickly picks up and eventually leaves you
wishing there was more. The Timeline of Deafening is 1903
to 1919. The storyline is in four parts. Part one is Granias
childhood. Part two is her time at the deaf school. Part three is
marriage and changes towards war. Part four is the newlyweds
separation during the war and the storys outcome.
The
view of a girl cut off from sound, the lonely deaf, such as Mr.
Wordsworth, the historical, horrifying details of the war, and the
impact of one woman on one man -- it is superb writing, the kind
of story that taps into ones emotions. When reading Deafening,
be sure to have a box of tissues handy and the name of a good friend;
I cant imagine anyone reading it through just once and not
passing it on.
|