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Beautiful Mutants
In this jarring collection, Adam Pottle cracks open the world of disability, illuminating it with an idiom that is both unsettling and exhilarating. His subjects are gritty and amputee sex swingers; drug-related shootings; institutionalized adolescents coerced into sterilization. Difficult as their circumstances may seem, Pottle's denizens learn to navigate the world with creative resolve, even defiance, searching for an identity that includes their disabilities rather than spites them. His poems scrape our nerves; they test and undermine poetic forms, challenging our own sensibilities in the process.
162 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2011
About the author
Adam Pottle
10 books24 followersAdam Pottle's work spans multiple genres, from fiction and poetry to drama and creative nonfiction. His books include the novel Mantis Dreams, the novella The Bus, the memoir Voice, and the poetry collection Beautiful Mutants.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 15, 2020
Adam Pottle’s book titled Beautiful Mutants investigates a powerful collection of poetry compiled together by Pottle himself that explores the intriguing concept of both disabled and Deaf culture (Hunter, 2018). Provided that he incorporated pieces that tested the limits of the standard English language through the disruption of its structure and the inclusion of his inability to hear properly (Hunter, 2018). Author Adam Pottle, age thirty-six, was born in 1984, and grew up in the picturesque town of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada (Pottle, n.d.). However, in relation to complications during his mother’s pregnancy with him he was born deaf in both ears (National Deaf Children Society, n.d.). Which has accounted towards his main drive within the writing community along with family and his work experiences (Hunter, 2018). With this in mind, Pottle has also stated that his sensory adjustment disability has allowed him to develop a unique relationship with language through his imagination (Pottle, n.d.). Along with crediting fellow influential writers such as Albert Camus, Toni Morrison, Mordecai Richler, Elie Wiesel, John Steinbeck, and Ann-Marie MacDonald (Pottle, n.d.). Throughout life, Pottle has moved around and lived in multiple locations in British Columbia that include Prince George, Ashcroft, and Kitimat (Pottle, n.d.). During his time within the region, he gained his ungraduated degree and master’s degree from the University of Northern British Columbia, during the years 2006 and 2008 (Pottle, n.d.). Furthermore, he later moved to his current living location in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, where he gained his PhD in English from the University of Saskatchewan in 2016 (Pottle, n.d.). His thesis work completed within his PhD focused on the portrayal of deafness and disabilities in Canadian novels from 1984 onward (Robertson, 2019). Similarly, he has taken the idea stated above throughout each piece of work created by him which includes four books and a play (Press Staff, 2019).
Looking back at the content provided within the book titled Beautiful Mutants, it can be noted that Pottle’s perspective is driven by his own personal connection towards Deafness and disability. As this motivation causes Pottle to express messages through writing in different ways than compared to following familiar procedures. For this reason, it allows him to highlight topics that are rarely focused on by illuminating idioms that are seen as mutually troubling and exhilarating. In connection to the course material, lecture eight discussed the subject of American Sign Language (also known as the acronym ASL) possessing its own form of grammar and different idioms than compared to the English language (Newman-Stille, 2020). For example, the ASL idiom known as “Train Go Sorry” may seem confusing to those who are not a part of the Deaf culture, but it instead holds a greater meaning as it indicates an opportunity has been missed (Newman-Stille, 2020). At the same time though, the reader’s perspective is also something of great importance to consider as it can be assumed these individuals are either a part of the Deaf community themselves, are hard of hearing, a part of the general disabled community, have an interest in research concerning the Deaf, or simply know of someone loved who experiences Deafness. However, in view of this, some may say that the overall perspective of Deaf culture is something only those within it are allowed access to (Newman-Stille, 2020). In light of lecture eight, the content went on to analysis the proclaimed definition that those who are truly Deaf and utilize sign language as a practical/central role within everyday life (Newman-Stille, 2020). Coupled with an immense understanding towards both the beliefs and practices of the Deaf culture in relation to sign language as a first language (Newman-Stille, 2020). Nonetheless, in my opinion, I believe that Pottle aims to combine communities together through his jarring collection of work by cracking open the world of disability in an intriguing way unseen before.
With the assumed audience of readers in mind, Pottle’s work involves an array of diverse and realistic characters connected to institutionalized adolescents forced into sterilization, drug related shootings, and amputee sex swingers that provide complex meanings towards these ideas (Pottle, 2011). I found the use of underrepresented individuals within our world to be rather ground-breaking when challenging the publics feelings in relation to these topics. In connection to the course material, the topic of residential schools for the disabled was further discussed during lecture eight that dove into the numerous issues of physical, sexual, mental, and emotional abuse faced by the children and adolescents institutionalized (b. Newman-Stille, 2020). As an illustration, students who are categorized as deaf and or hard of hearing would be forcefully restrained by teachers/faculty if they chose to use sign language than compared to communicating through speech and speech reading (b. Newman-Stille, 2020). Granted that Pottle expresses the dwellers of his creation learn to navigate throughout the world using creative decisions that incorporate their disabilities instead of seeing them as hindered states (Pottle, 2017). I find this employment of cracks within the “normalized” human being and lack of common features or mental beings to be a rather superior form of displaying various conditions of disabilities that have otherwise been represented in a poor stereotypical way. For instance, a complicated and highly involved description of a young eleven-year-old girl who recently became a double leg amputee has the scene and worrying thoughts described by her father who is outwardly fearful for her future (Pottle, 2011).
The genre of the novel is categorized as poetry, which provides an organic form of art with unlimited possibilities. In view of the fact that poetry does not possess any specific grammar rules, and instead allows a writer to express ideas and feelings through the use of a distinctive rhythm and styles. In other words, poetry provides us with the ability to reinvent the world by utilizing one’s experiences and imagination. Poetry as a form of literature is seen as a more direct and sensual type that permits an individual to solely focus in on one specific moment that provides a beneficial outlet for the subject of Deafness and disability to unnerve its audience at its own pace (Wong, 2017). Moreover, the inclusion of Deaf culture and disabled culture makes the reader acknowledge the various layers of life when considering how the world may seem in another’s eyes. That is to say, a disabled writer such as Pottle, allows the general public to view his cultures as something with a breath of life that is experienced instead of just a concept. In effect, this notion has the ability to shape the idea that all of mankind shares a degree of stories, roots, and experiences that are merely expressed in different forms. Similarly, Pottle has reported that even though he may be a deaf man, this does not indicate him as a deaf writer due to him learn sign language at an older age (Wong, 2017). That instead, he possesses an identity of his own where his writing is for all to experience (Wong, 2017).
Therefore, as a reader I found the book spoke to me on a higher level when considering the external perspective of those close to the disabled individual. In light of the fact that these situations presented within the poems made me reflect back on how my parents viewed my future and overall being after acquiring a traumatic brain injury as a young child. It makes me wonder what past memories fluttered through their heads while I laid comatose in the hospital ICU. Or even what worries and mounting unanswered questions that zoomed through their brains as they tried to remain calm and collective. I think that this inclusion for disability provides a unique take on something that is otherwise ignored completely or glazed over as a form of inspirational porn. As a matter of fact, inspirational porn was a core topic discussed in the course material that highlights the portrayal of those with a disability who simply live through life day to day as some miraculous accomplishment (a. Newman-Stille, 2020). In light of this, it is important to note that this is mainly driven by ableism as a way to make themselves feel better with regard to their own situations (a. Newman-Stille, 2020). Even though these “inspiring” stories may be with good intent, they inadvertently are extremely exploitative and ultimately limit how the disabled individual lives life when identifying as disabled in a non-shameful way (a. Newman-Stille, 2020). Being that inspirational porn is primarily provided as a form of superficial pleasure and gratification aimed towards the viewer (a. Newman-Stille, 2020). Instead, it is important to consider how the individual with a disability will thrive through life as they learn to utilize their condition. Meaning that with various aids, programs, and care organizations, a person is able to continue maintaining a degree of independence within daily life. In turn, this signifies positive small improvements, allows the building of a trusted support network, conserve respect towards multiple identities, and embracing conversations concerning employment/volunteer, sex, and a healthy lifestyle. Overall, I found the book to be a great read for those interested in discovering a new take on the world of Deaf and disability.
By: Adrianna Niemeyer
Looking back at the content provided within the book titled Beautiful Mutants, it can be noted that Pottle’s perspective is driven by his own personal connection towards Deafness and disability. As this motivation causes Pottle to express messages through writing in different ways than compared to following familiar procedures. For this reason, it allows him to highlight topics that are rarely focused on by illuminating idioms that are seen as mutually troubling and exhilarating. In connection to the course material, lecture eight discussed the subject of American Sign Language (also known as the acronym ASL) possessing its own form of grammar and different idioms than compared to the English language (Newman-Stille, 2020). For example, the ASL idiom known as “Train Go Sorry” may seem confusing to those who are not a part of the Deaf culture, but it instead holds a greater meaning as it indicates an opportunity has been missed (Newman-Stille, 2020). At the same time though, the reader’s perspective is also something of great importance to consider as it can be assumed these individuals are either a part of the Deaf community themselves, are hard of hearing, a part of the general disabled community, have an interest in research concerning the Deaf, or simply know of someone loved who experiences Deafness. However, in view of this, some may say that the overall perspective of Deaf culture is something only those within it are allowed access to (Newman-Stille, 2020). In light of lecture eight, the content went on to analysis the proclaimed definition that those who are truly Deaf and utilize sign language as a practical/central role within everyday life (Newman-Stille, 2020). Coupled with an immense understanding towards both the beliefs and practices of the Deaf culture in relation to sign language as a first language (Newman-Stille, 2020). Nonetheless, in my opinion, I believe that Pottle aims to combine communities together through his jarring collection of work by cracking open the world of disability in an intriguing way unseen before.
With the assumed audience of readers in mind, Pottle’s work involves an array of diverse and realistic characters connected to institutionalized adolescents forced into sterilization, drug related shootings, and amputee sex swingers that provide complex meanings towards these ideas (Pottle, 2011). I found the use of underrepresented individuals within our world to be rather ground-breaking when challenging the publics feelings in relation to these topics. In connection to the course material, the topic of residential schools for the disabled was further discussed during lecture eight that dove into the numerous issues of physical, sexual, mental, and emotional abuse faced by the children and adolescents institutionalized (b. Newman-Stille, 2020). As an illustration, students who are categorized as deaf and or hard of hearing would be forcefully restrained by teachers/faculty if they chose to use sign language than compared to communicating through speech and speech reading (b. Newman-Stille, 2020). Granted that Pottle expresses the dwellers of his creation learn to navigate throughout the world using creative decisions that incorporate their disabilities instead of seeing them as hindered states (Pottle, 2017). I find this employment of cracks within the “normalized” human being and lack of common features or mental beings to be a rather superior form of displaying various conditions of disabilities that have otherwise been represented in a poor stereotypical way. For instance, a complicated and highly involved description of a young eleven-year-old girl who recently became a double leg amputee has the scene and worrying thoughts described by her father who is outwardly fearful for her future (Pottle, 2011).
The genre of the novel is categorized as poetry, which provides an organic form of art with unlimited possibilities. In view of the fact that poetry does not possess any specific grammar rules, and instead allows a writer to express ideas and feelings through the use of a distinctive rhythm and styles. In other words, poetry provides us with the ability to reinvent the world by utilizing one’s experiences and imagination. Poetry as a form of literature is seen as a more direct and sensual type that permits an individual to solely focus in on one specific moment that provides a beneficial outlet for the subject of Deafness and disability to unnerve its audience at its own pace (Wong, 2017). Moreover, the inclusion of Deaf culture and disabled culture makes the reader acknowledge the various layers of life when considering how the world may seem in another’s eyes. That is to say, a disabled writer such as Pottle, allows the general public to view his cultures as something with a breath of life that is experienced instead of just a concept. In effect, this notion has the ability to shape the idea that all of mankind shares a degree of stories, roots, and experiences that are merely expressed in different forms. Similarly, Pottle has reported that even though he may be a deaf man, this does not indicate him as a deaf writer due to him learn sign language at an older age (Wong, 2017). That instead, he possesses an identity of his own where his writing is for all to experience (Wong, 2017).
Therefore, as a reader I found the book spoke to me on a higher level when considering the external perspective of those close to the disabled individual. In light of the fact that these situations presented within the poems made me reflect back on how my parents viewed my future and overall being after acquiring a traumatic brain injury as a young child. It makes me wonder what past memories fluttered through their heads while I laid comatose in the hospital ICU. Or even what worries and mounting unanswered questions that zoomed through their brains as they tried to remain calm and collective. I think that this inclusion for disability provides a unique take on something that is otherwise ignored completely or glazed over as a form of inspirational porn. As a matter of fact, inspirational porn was a core topic discussed in the course material that highlights the portrayal of those with a disability who simply live through life day to day as some miraculous accomplishment (a. Newman-Stille, 2020). In light of this, it is important to note that this is mainly driven by ableism as a way to make themselves feel better with regard to their own situations (a. Newman-Stille, 2020). Even though these “inspiring” stories may be with good intent, they inadvertently are extremely exploitative and ultimately limit how the disabled individual lives life when identifying as disabled in a non-shameful way (a. Newman-Stille, 2020). Being that inspirational porn is primarily provided as a form of superficial pleasure and gratification aimed towards the viewer (a. Newman-Stille, 2020). Instead, it is important to consider how the individual with a disability will thrive through life as they learn to utilize their condition. Meaning that with various aids, programs, and care organizations, a person is able to continue maintaining a degree of independence within daily life. In turn, this signifies positive small improvements, allows the building of a trusted support network, conserve respect towards multiple identities, and embracing conversations concerning employment/volunteer, sex, and a healthy lifestyle. Overall, I found the book to be a great read for those interested in discovering a new take on the world of Deaf and disability.
By: Adrianna Niemeyer
Displaying 1 of 1 review