Deafening
Deafening by Frances Itani, published by Sceptre on January 19, 2004, is a poignant exploration of the life of Grania O’Neill, who loses her hearing due to a childhood illness. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the narrative follows Grania’s journey from a protective family environment to the Ontario School for the Deaf, where she learns to communicate through sign language and speech. There, she forms a deep connection with Jim Lloyd, a hearing man, as they navigate the complexities of their relationship amidst the challenges of a world at war.
Readers will find a rich portrayal of Grania’s experiences as she adapts to her new reality and develops an emotional vocabulary that bridges sound and silence. The story delves into themes of communication and the impact of war, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. With 378 pages, this edition offers a comprehensive look at the intersection of personal and historical narratives, inviting readers to reflect on the profound effects of love and conflict during a tumultuous time.
Official synopsis Publisher
Born on the shores of Lake Ontario, Grania O’Neill suffers a childhood illness that destroys her hearing. Grania’s life without sound is also a life bounded by a powerful family love that tries to protect her from suffering. But when it becomes clear that Grania can no longer thrive among the hearing, her family sends her to the Ontario School for the Deaf. There, protected from the often unforgiving world outside, she learns sign language and speech. And there she meets Jim Lloyd, a hearing man, and the two, in wonderment, begin to create a new emotional vocabulary that encompasses both sound and silence.
But a war is raging on the other side of the world. Only two weeks after their wedding, Jim must leave home to serve as a stretcher-bearer on the blood-soaked battlefields of Flanders. During this long and brutal war of attrition, Jim and Grania are pulled to the centre of cataclysmic events that will alter civilisation forever.
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