Of Such Small Differences - Softcover

Hannah Green; Joanne Greenberg

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0330313444 ISBN 13: 9780330313445

Publisher: Pan Books, 1990

Synopsis

John, who is blind and deaf, leads a life of isolation until he meets Leda on the job, and as their accidental involvement deepens into love, they must both accept his limitations and their unique relationship

About this title

From School Library Journal:

YA Life without either hearing or sight is nearly impossible to imagine, but Greenberg succeeds in portraying the difficulties and frustrations of a deaf and blind person. John has mastered five different means of communication and signage, and has both the drive and the tenacity that would set him apart in life regardless. He falls in love and has an affair with a non-disabled actress, but the differences between their two worlds are incomprehensible to each from the start. John's family has never been able to accept his double handicap and thwarts his attempts to teach his beloved mother signing when she has a serious stroke and cannot speak. However, the most striking commentary on his situation has to do with John's gift for writing poetry. Because he has been paid small amounts of money to write religious poetry about being blind for the sheltered workshop where he works, he is in danger of losing his pension and medical benefits. His social workers and accountant/brother are openly hostile and angry because his poetry is making money. Throughout their message is clear: just exist and don't rock the boat. Greenberg's work with the deaf and blind give the book a tone of authenticity. By pointing out the attitudinal inconsistencies and inequities that society has towards people like John and his friends, she opens the way for improvement. Barbara Weathers, Duchesne Acad . , Houston
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal:

There is nothing unusual in the tale of an accidental meeting of two people gradually ripening into loveunless one half of the couple is deaf and blind. Although handicapped, the intelligent and talented John leads a full and satisfying, if routine, life. Then he meets aspiring actress Leda. Their developing friendship and eventual decision to live together present numerous difficulties, including the disapproval of John's friends as well as those of Leda. Told from John's viewpoint, Greenberg's work offers an insightful, sometimes disturbing portrait of the physical, emotional, and mental problems faced by those who must function in a sighted, hearing world that has not yet learned to accommodate exceptions. Recommended. Judith A. Gifford, Salve Regina Coll. Lib., Newport, R.I.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pan Books
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0330313444
• ISBN 13: 9780330313445
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272