True Biz

A Novel

By: Sara Novic

Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan, Kaleo Griffith

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.

©2022 Sara Novic (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"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

Fantastic

The approach of including the sign sound over the speech was interesting and new, and I was pleased at the depths of the characters. I get where February is coming from, but as someone losing my hearing, I see some of Charlie's struggles, too... it was impressive, and I enjoyed it thoroughly, streamed into my hearing aids.

Champ!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book both for the story as well as the death culture and deaf history that was interspersed throughout. The character development was excellent and I felt like the author did a really good job getting getting inside of the Deaf head... But I guess that makes sense since the author is Deaf. I would love to see more books like this.

Learned a Lot!!

I learned a lot about Deaf history and culture in this book, it was very interesting. I was disappointed when it ended. I wanted more resolution of all the arcs that were built through the book. I guess it's a "choose your own ending" kind of story.

Engaging and wonderful, with a so-so ending

I really liked the story and the characters. I thought the execution of the audio book was outstanding. I was disappointed in the abrupt ending, which not only didn’t resolve any of the plot points, but felt like it was throwing away some beautiful moments of character and relationship development. I would still recommend the book and look forward to reading more from this author.

Thought Provoking

A good story that visits families with not typical children, education, implanted devices, pros and cons. Language and culture, preserve or mainstream. so many topics touched up on with out preaching. Definitely worth a listen.

Excellent story, excellent narration

I truly enjoyed this book from start to finish. I loved the added “lessons” between chapters, which I found to be very informative and a great addition to the story itself. As a hearing person, I experienced plenty of educational moments throughout this novel. I will definitely be looking for more to read from Sara Novic!

A wonderful story + important education

This beautifully written and narrated story stands on its own, but what I appreciated most was the glimpse into what it means to be deaf in this country. As a hearing person, I had no idea what "deaf culture" meant or how important it is, and how viciously it has been (and is being) threatened. Some of that's out of ignorance, but a great deal of it is out of arrogance--a belief that to be deaf is to be less than. In that respect, attacks on deaf culture resemble attacks on other minorities.

This book can help with the ignorance and turn readers into allies who can help defend and support deaf culture.

Please read it.

A MUST READ

This was a 100% must read to understand that the deaf community needs to be able to be left to “speak” for themselves, and learn of the injustices kids face on a daily basis.

Very unique

Very interesting and educational story regarding the deaf community and culture, specifically schools for the deaf.

🙌🏼

So good! The narratives were real, current, and educational. I loved the information given between chapters about BASL, Deaf history, definitions, etc. I wish the end had had SOME kind of resolution or tie off for... literally anyone. That was my only disappointment- kinda like real life, though, huh?
(I'm an ASL Interpreter)