This novel isn’t plot heavy, and for the most part, that works well. The differences between ASL and BASL and the stigmas attached to the latter are fascinating, but it felt really shoehorned in, in an attempt to leave no stone unturned-I ultimately just wished that that character had more of a role in the narrative. (It’s not for me to decide, but I can imagine that this book will be as much of a joy for deaf readers as it is for hearing readers.) That said, Nović’s dedication to giving the reader the most thorough portrait of deaf culture possible was often to the novel’s disadvantage it resulted in a few unfortunate side effects, one of which was a Black character only receiving one single point of view chapter, which existed solely for the benefit of giving the reader a quick lesson on BASL (Black American Sign Language). This book informs and engages in equal measure it’s a crash course in deafness for those of us who are lacking in knowledge of deaf culture and history, but none of it feels rushed or underexamined or patronizing. So, naturally, there’s a lot going on in this book, and where it succeeds is in the thorough immersion it provides in deaf culture (Nović herself is a deaf author).
The novel’s prologue also introduces the fact that three of the students at the school have just gone missing we then go back in time six months to see the factors that led up to this event. The novel also follows February, the school’s headmistress, dealing with her failing relationship, her mom’s poor health, and the potential imminent closure of the school. Austin comes from generations-old deaf family, whereas Charlie is the first deaf member of her own family she was never taught sign language and was forced to grow up having very little communicative ability as her cochlear implant is barely functional.
Set at the fictional River Valley School for the Deaf, True Biz is effectively a love letter to deaf culture, couched in a coming of age narrative mostly focusing on the budding relationship between two teenage students, Austin and Charlie. I’ve been having a lackluster reading month and was craving something engrossing, and True Biz ended up fitting the bill perfectly.
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