Convergence Crush: ...the caste

by Libby Lael

All you need to know about Sign Language and Public School Education are found in these two novels - Deaf Beneath and Convergence Crush.
Hearing parents are eager to teach their hearing babies sign language because it promotes communication, reducing stress. However, when it comes to Hearing Parents and Deaf babies, almost no sign language is used because they may have one, maybe two cochlear implants, so 'they'll do.' Consequently, Hearing Parents intentionally deprive their Deaf child of the significance of social impact and language acquisition until they struggle in a hearing school (as depicted in 'Deaf Beneath'). Eventually, they have no choice but to enroll their Deaf child in a Residential Deaf School (as portrayed in 'Convergence Crush'). The end result is devastating. Why? The remedy to all these problems, as outlined in 'Deaf Beneath' and 'Convergence Crush,' can be achieved within two generations if society makes Sign Language a requirement.

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2024

About the author

Since the release of Deaf Beneath, I switched my line of focus from an in-person educational setting to a more remote digital engagement.

With absolutely no background and experience in graphic design, my only resource on hand was Microsoft Word.doc. I used that resource to design several more book covers for my mentor, Herb Borkland. In addition to my first project, for Herb Borkland’s DOG$, which helped make his novel a hot-seller in Europe, my latest book covers and custom layouts can be seen on his recent two books - A Crime Not To Try and A Borkland Variety.

A creative hobby which I stumbled upon by a stroke of luck in which I enjoy immensely. Currently, I am digitally assisting others. In my free time, I enjoy conversing with hearing people online... no one knows the person they're talking to is deaf.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whew, this was really hard to read. The abuse of the main character (bullying, parental neglect, sexual activity, alcoholism and drug use) at a young age was overwhelming. I get that the point of the story was to tell this story in order for the reader to see the severity of abuse that Amelia had to go through due to a disability, but as a teacher, I have seen a lot, and yet I have never heard such a tale. I am not saying it is not true, I am simply saying that I hope this child survived and thrived after having all these experiences. I was sickened by too much of this book to give it a high rating, and really struggled to keep reading. I do not understand how a child this young would be taught so many things about sex by her own mother, and why on earth would she have cuss words as thoughts if she can't hear words spoken? Was she reading material that should have been withheld from her? I really think she should have been taken away from her mother! Her mom seemed to care for her at first, but I never could understand why she kept sending her daughter away. Maybe she should have moved to state with a better reputation for deaf schools?? I don't know. What I do know is that I reside in a state with deaf school. I have a deaf cousin who attended. I also went to camp with a few students from that school and none of them seemed any different than students who attended public school other than their disability. I am also a retired special education teacher, and there is no way on earth a teacher could read journal entries like what was written and not turn those over immediately to a counselor or the police. I kept reading in hopes there would be some kind of closure, and I really wish there had been more about her life after being released from the deaf school.

[Oloruntosin Sofolahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

*takes a deep breath* Oh! Woah.
A deep, dark and terrifying rabbit hole about Amelia- a deaf girl with hearing parents in the 1900s, who was trying to navigate both the deaf and hearing communities. She never fitted into the deaf community as she wasn't deaf enough; she was bullied, assaulted and ostracised. The hearing community weren't familiar with sign language at the time, so to them, she was a strange, quiet little girl and was often misunderstood. With the help of her mother, uncle and English teacher who loved and believed in her, she was able to expose all the evil happening in the deaf school and community. The book touches on abuse (sexual and emotional), neglect, bullying, bravery, etc.
I enjoyed every bit of the book as it opened my eyes to how easy children with disability are preyed on because of family and society neglect. It makes us aware of these ills, and it should hopefully stir something in us to do more about them. To listen and protect all kinds of children, no matter their race or disability.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply human, emotionally resonant story with authentic Deaf representation and a slow-burn connection that feels earned. Convergence Crush lingers long after the last page and is perfect for readers who appreciate character-driven fiction with real emotional weight.