5 stars
Loved it. Absolutely loved it.
This is the first book I’ve read of Selznick’s. I picked it up after researching books to add to an International Week of the Deaf display for my library. I loved the combination of story told through words and story told through pictures. It was exceptionally fitting for this book.
First off, the artwork is phenomenal. It’s remarkable how much emotion and detail Selznick manages to pack into each spread. The book looks intimidating because of its size but there’s over 460 pages of art, which makes it go by pretty quickly. I would recommend not speeding through it though. It’s a pretty quick read but take the time to let the pictures really sink in. They are splendid.
The stories themselves weave together so nicely. The reader is instantly pulled in trying to figure out how the two main characters are connected. Selznick also did a good job working in various details about life for different deaf and hard of hearing people. Through the characters and their experiences, he shows various historical moments such as the push against sign language, the transition to sound cinema, and how deaf people have been treated by hearing people over time.
After finishing the book, I didn’t think it could get any more wonderful. Then I read Selznick’s acknowledgments. They are definitely worth a read as they give a glimpse into how much work and research went in to crafting this book. I really enjoyed the way he worked personal connections into the story and getting some background on his inspirations.
At the end of the book is a Selected Bibliography on some of the resources he consulted while researching. They are broken down into topics such as Deafness and Deaf Culture, Museums and Cabinets of Wonder, Lightning, and Gunflint Lake. Definitely worth a look for continued nonfiction reading.
A story about mysteries, family, friendship, and wonder. Perfect for lovers of museums and lifelong learning. This was a fascinating read that packed so much into so few words.