tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28821776.post248970296890295903..comments2023-10-20T05:23:20.547-07:00Comments on Deaf Characters in Adolescent Literature: Deaf Character in Cary Holladay's A Fight in the Doctor's Office, winner of the Miami University of Ohio Novella CompetitionSharon Pajka,Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17105551757824474530noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28821776.post-68679921846548136542010-10-26T07:51:39.832-07:002010-10-26T07:51:39.832-07:00Thanks for your comment. I do post adult 'cros...Thanks for your comment. I do post adult 'cross-over' texts from time to time for my older teen readers who prefer books with more adults themes. <br /><br />The author Cary Holladay stated that "[Benjamin's] deafness is integral to the story".Sharon Pajka,Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17105551757824474530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28821776.post-72287731461316254582010-10-26T07:44:25.377-07:002010-10-26T07:44:25.377-07:00I don't understand how deafness is "integ...I don't understand how deafness is "integral to the story." Ben is a very precocious 3 yr old. (Most 3 year olds would not interpose themselves during a fight between primary care taker (grandmother) and attacker. That was something a much older child would do. Second, if it is integral, its the deaf leading the blind (Jenny's visual difficulty becomes apparent late in the narrative.)<br /><br />The novella is so full of contrasts and themes that I do not believe it appropriate as a YA story. The author despises her protagonist. Jenny is a veritable dumb (not deaf) immoral, biased, narcissist who cannot stand up by herself. <br /><br />I am still wondering what the denoument of the novella actually is. One person I spoke with thinks that she marries the photo shop owner. I do not agree. <br /><br />I highly recommend this book to adults.rosellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10723776695906964507noreply@blogger.com