True Biz
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Lisa Flanagan
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Kaleo Griffith
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Written by:
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Sara Novic
About this listen
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • A “tender, beautiful and radiantly outraged” (The New York Times Book Review) novel that follows a year of seismic romantic, political, and familial shifts for a teacher and her students at a boarding school for the deaf, from the acclaimed author of Girl at War
“For those who loved the Oscar-winning film CODA, a boarding school for deaf students is the setting for a kaleidoscope of experiences.”—The Washington Post
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: NPR, The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Booklist
True biz (adj./exclamation; American Sign Language): really, seriously, definitely, real-talk
True biz? The students at the River Valley School for the Deaf just want to hook up, pass their history finals, and have politicians, doctors, and their parents stop telling them what to do with their bodies. This revelatory novel plunges readers into the halls of a residential school for the deaf, where they’ll meet Charlie, a rebellious transfer student who’s never met another deaf person before; Austin, the school’s golden boy, whose world is rocked when his baby sister is born hearing; and February, the hearing headmistress, a CODA (child of deaf adult(s)) who is fighting to keep her school open and her marriage intact, but might not be able to do both. As a series of crises both personal and political threaten to unravel each of them, Charlie, Austin, and February find their lives inextricable from one another—and changed forever.
This is a story of sign language and lip-reading, disability and civil rights, isolation and injustice, first love and loss, and, above all, great persistence, daring, and joy. Absorbing and assured, idiosyncratic and relatable, this is an unforgettable journey into the Deaf community and a universal celebration of human connection.
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What the critics say
"Goodness, I can’t even begin to put into words all the feelings this book provoked! . . . An eye-opening and heartfelt story about human connection and the beauty and adversity woven into the deaf community and culture. It is both an educational and electrifying peek into a family’s life as they fight to forge connections even as the outside world threatens to close the door on them. I loved this story so much, it is not one to miss.”—Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club April ’22 Pick)
“This is my favorite kind of novel, fascinating and smart and brimming with contrasts. It’s a coming-of-age story but also one of anarchy and protest. It’s about belonging versus conforming, individual strength alongside solidarity.”—Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is and One Two Three
“A coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of community and the ways in which language defines us.”—Kirkus Reviews
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What listeners say about True Biz
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anonymous User
- 2023-05-29
Loved it
Great listen and a totally new perspective on deaf culture was gained. In fact I would not have put deaf and culture next to each other before, but now I get it.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2022-08-29
Wonderful novel
Incredible story steeped with history. Author seamlessly and beautifully weaves in a multitude of characters and complex issues facing the deaf community. Narration also lovely and very easy to listen to ironically enough. As enjoyable as it is thought provoking- one of the best novels I’ve read in years
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- Shea_loz
- 2023-05-02
Amazing book
I was recommended this book by a friend who teaches ASL. It was a perspective I've been super curious about and so glad I was able to be immersed in a new world. I think it is important for everyone to read and maybe work on some of those biases we all have.
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- Hovey
- 2022-11-15
dis/crit power to the people vibes
An overall great book that brings an intersectional, critical disability studies lens that is informative yet entertaining. My only complaint is that the ending seemed like an after thought like the book just kind of ended in a way that the story didn’t have closure, foreshadowing or anything. It kind of annoyed me in that sense because there’s so many directions they could’ve gone and yet they just ended the story by not ending the story
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- KipperArwyn
- 2023-02-07
A vitally important story
A truly gripping and moving story. I would say that if you want to have a view into the depth and beauty of Deaf culture, this book is a great, eye opening, start.
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- Bianca Verjee
- 2022-12-31
An Absolute Must Read!
Fantastic! A story that hooks you right from the start, with a gripping ending. Highly recommend for both Deaf and hearing. Great window into the Deaf experience and Deaf culture. Especially important to read if you don’t know much about the Deaf experience. Everyone should read this book.
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- KatieC
- 2023-01-10
Fantastic Listen
This book was very enjoyable to listen to. I am in the beginning stages of learning ASL and this book even give mini lessons between some chapters. It gives you a different insight, that’s for sure! You will not be disappointed with this book!
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- Reader
- 2022-08-24
Educational, eye-opening, and a great story
I didn’t know much about the deaf community, their history, and how they have been abused and persecuted. This story was an eye-opener for me and written so well that I thoroughly enjoyed the lesson. I felt that they performed the ASL portion of the book well by using different voices, cadence, and the exact words used to sign. The story was excellent and told from so many different perspectives which I found intriguing. It left me wondering, what would I do in that situation?
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