Mother Tongue

by Sara Nović

In this emotionally rich first memoir, the New York Times bestselling author of True Biz retraces her path out of the hearing world and into the deaf community - and seeks to understand the journeys her own children must take.

Sara Nović's early years were filled with music, Bible study, and a strong desire to fit in. But when she failed her school's mandated hearing test, her worldview was thrown into chaos. Desperate not to be marked as different, she told no one, staying in the hearing world for as long as she could by brute force.

Eventually unable to ignore the fact that she was deaf, Nović sought out other deaf people and was welcomed into a tight knit community rooted in the beauty and joy of American Sign Language. Nović realized that rather than maintaining the facade of her old life or trying to straddle two worlds, she would need to cultivate a life in the space between.

Now the mother of two young sons - one, biological and hearing, the other, adopted and deaf-Nović reflects on her life both before and after parenthood. She's raising her children within the deaf world, offering them things her younger self needed, all the while knowing that as her children grow, their own paths will branch off from hers in ways she cannot fully predict or plan for.

Interwoven with Novic's personal story is a remarkable portrait of America through reflections on some of its most complex the rise of the Christian right, the thorny world of international adoption, and above all, the deaf and disabled communities' stubborn survival in the face of persistent oppression.

Nović's clear, bold voice is one readers will hold onto, learn from, argue with, and be inspired by, as she asks us to recognize difference as a source of opportunity rather than fear, as a chance to draw families and communities together, and to build something new.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Disability, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, LGBT, Biography

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2026

About the author

Sara Nović is author of the novels TRUE BIZ and GIRL AT WAR, as well as the illustrated nonfiction collection AMERICA IS IMMIGRANTS. Both novels won the American Library Association's Alex Award, and True Biz was a Reese's Book Club pick and NYT bestseller.

MOTHER TONGUE, a new memoir hybrid, is out 5 May 2026 and available for pre-order now.

Sara teaches creative writing and deaf studies, and lives in Philly.

[website] https://sara-novic.com
[bsky] novicsara.bsky.social
[insta/threads] photonovic
[newsletter]: buttondown.com/signs+wonders

Reviews

[emma]

all authors i like should be required to write memoirs

(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)

[Liralen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Nović was a teenager, she started to lose her hearing. At first, panicked and in denial, she hid the loss, developing a robust set of tricks and tactics to pass. And then, eventually, she got herself into an ASL class and unlocked a whole new world.

I read Nović's Girl at War some years ago and loved it. (It's been almost a decade, and I still think about it sometimes. If you can stomach some intensity, go read it.) And then I read True Biz, Nović's novel set at a school for the deaf, and while it was of course written well, what has stuck with me from that is the sense that what Nović really wanted to do was write a nonfiction book about deafness and deaf culture. And, well, now we have Mother Tongue, which is partly a memoir but also partly a nonfiction book about deafness and deaf culture, and it clicked for me in a way that True Biz did not.

Don't go into this expecting a detailed memoir; some of this is Nović's own story, but she is careful about which parts of her own story (and her family's) she chooses to share. But in practical terms, this is fascinating. I'd say that I've spent more time thinking about deafness and deaf culture than the average hearing person, but at the end of the day it's still an experience that is fundamentally not mine, and there's still far more that I don't know than what I do know. I might know theoretically that people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing face discrimination, but I hadn't thought about the disconnect, for example, between the push for oral-only education for deaf children (in other words: force them to use only cochlear implants and hearing aids and lip-reading, and deny them ASL) and the enthusiasm for simple sign language for young hearing children. Or this, during the early days of the pandemic:

But as shelter-in-place orders continued to roll out across the country and deaf students at residential schools were sent home from their dorms, I heard from a friend—a hearing teacher at a deaf school—about the frantic calls they were fielding from parents: that their children were completely out of control, and they could not communicate with them. Almost none of the parents knew even basic ASL, with one woman contacting the school begging for someone to please video-chat her young child and explain that it was time to go to bed. (loc. 1424*)

I just cannot imagine. I've read enough about deafness and politics around deafness and so on and so forth to think that if I had a kid with hearing loss I'd skip the cochlear implants, tap into whatever deaf community I could find, and put us both into sign language classes pronto. And while I'm not in anybody else's head or life, and I'm not here to judge people I know nothing about, and I don't know how fluent I'd be able to get or in what time frame if I were in someone else's shoes, I just cannot imagine knowing that the best way to communicate with my kid was to learn another language and then not learning even the basics in that language. Maybe this is less about those parents itself, though, and more about what Nović talks about throughout the book: the way that society at large has pushed people with disabilities to the margins and refused to make room for them.

At times I might have liked more about Nović's story (making no assumptions here, but it was not lost on me that she says little about her parents' eventual understanding of her hearing loss), but also, I hold a firm belief that memoirs need not be tell-alls and should only share as much that is personal as the author is comfortable sharing, so I can't really fault the book for that. Overall an excellent and thought-provoking read.

*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

[Brooklyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank your Random House for the advance copy. I found Mother Tongue to be spirited and revolutionary as well as educating. I came here for a memoir of growing up deaf in America - though Sara actually gradually became deaf. I have had some hearing / ear issues so I related to some of her school stories from secondary and college years. She is impassioned on her subject matter ableism vs rights of the deaf and disabled. She weaves this into the political history of this country and the growth of white supremicists and religious and political right - and how racism and other forms of discrimination tied in with discrimination against the deaf and how forced speaking methods rather than ASL were often pushed as society felt deaf were in some way defective without making much efforts to understand them.

As much as I learned - I would have liked a little more of her story and more of a memoir. And if that is what you are looking for - this is not it.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love motherhood memoirs but I really LOVE reading about disabled mother's experiences and Sara Novic provides a heartfelt, impactful and eye-opening look into mothering as a deaf/HOH queer woman in her new memoir.

She also is able to provide insights into both her traditional birth experience and her journey with adopting a deaf overseas child from Thailand. I enjoyed her combination of personal introspection and disability history/advocacy and highly recommend this for fans of books like Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[kennedy parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ Sara Novic wrote one of my favorite novels a few years ago, and so obviously her memoir was at the top of my list to read in 2026.

🗣️READ THIS BOOK. If your life in any way grazes up against the deaf and hard of hearing communities, read this book. If you work in special education, read this book. If you work in healthcare, read this book. If you are in public health, government, law enforcement, translation services, advocacy work, social work, or simply want to be bowled over by incredible writing done with incredible care and research, read this book!!

[Jerica Mercado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first encountered Sara Novic when I read True Biz, her novel about a school for deaf students. It was one of those reads I had seen hyped online, but worried it wouldn't measure up. It did. It was one of the best book club discussions my book club had because it was equal parts great fiction, following these compelling characters, and so eye-opening as we explored the world of education for deaf students.

Mother Tongue, which is Nović's memoir, feels like such a natural successor to True Biz. Nović blends history and politics with her own personal story, showing the areas where they intersect. I love the way she uses her own experiences of isolation and community to tell the history of deaf Americans and the struggle to establish a system of community in the face of so much hate and misunderstanding (and worse, but I'm afraid to use those words here). As a hearing person, I wasn't able to relate so much with Nović's experiences, but her stories and the facts she presented throughout this memoir were so well laid out that I know I'll be thinking about this all for some time to come. Especially moving were her chapters dedicated to adopting and then advocating for her son, K, Her examination of the importance of language acquisition in early life resonated particularly with me as a former TEFL teacher to early learners, and her recounting of the prejudices faced when trying to enroll K in a deaf school left me dumbfounded and enraged. And heartbroken. And inspired. In spite of the obstacles, she continues her advocacy and her children continue to thrive and I love that she took us readers on this journey.

This memoir has been illuminating, and it has humbled me-- I can say thank you and I can swear in American Sign Language, but not much else This memoir has helped me better understand the challenges of being deaf in today's world, and given me so much to think about. Nović is a strong writer and her stories about her life are sometimes heartbreaking, but also funny and self-deprecating. Reading this feels like having a drink with a friend that turns into an intense discussion about history and politics and ends with us both laughing about that one time that thing happened.

*I received a copy of the book from NetGalley and the publisher, Random House; this review is entirely my own.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Sara Novic writes it, I read it. For that reason I was excited to read her memoir Mother Tongue.

Sara's passion for the history and culture of deaf people comes through on the pages. The information was interesting and I definitely learned by reading this book.

As a reader I was expecting to get a bit more personal insight into Sara Novic's life and experiences. I felt like she held the readers at arms length, and at the same time I understand why. Her writing gets progressively more personal as the book goes on, but I wish she had warmed up sooner.

I would say this book is more of an examination of the social, cultural, and political history of deaf people with bits of memoir sprinkled in.

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part non-fiction history book with its focus on Deaf culture, language deprivation and Deaf experience and part memoir, this book was a great exploration of the author's experiences and a crash course in oppression and advocacy.

Sara Nović was born hearing and became deaf in her early teens. In Mother Tongue, she shares her experiences, struggles and successes as a friend, daughter, and mother, helping readers to better understand what it feels like to not fit in; the exhausting and constant battle to be seen and valued in a society that is heavily influenced by ableism, devaluing anyone different from the status quo.

I went into this book knowing a lot about Deaf culture, history and ASL as a former ASL interpreter, but I appreciated Novic's deep dive into the politics, her experiences with adoption and the dark hold ableism still has over society. She goes into a lot more detail with some subjects than I was expecting, giving the book a nonfiction feel, but brings it back to how history and today's politics impact her and her young family. She keeps readers a bit at arm's length, but I respect how she draws the line, sharing with her readers only the bits of her life she's comfortable with.

Compelling and informative, Mother Tongue is an exploration of disability, oppression, Deaf advocacy and history, motherhood and the long-lasting impact of language deprivation. It will be an eye-opening read for many readers, giving them a better understanding of what it means to be Deaf in today's world.

Disclaimer: Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital advanced copy of this book which was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

[Amy Kett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was kind of a hybrid of memoir and non-fiction, and it covered a lot of ground. It felt like one of the most intersectional books I've read in a long time, Novic being queer, deaf, Jewish, and the parent of a transracial adoptee. She talks about her experience with all of these communities and identities as well as exploring their histories and putting them in a greater cultural context. I think she does a nice job of packing a lot of information into the book without it getting bogged down, feeling preachy, or taking us too far down any one road. Well done.

[Amy Brown (amylikestoreadalot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED True Biz, so I was thrilled to read this memoir by the author. This is not a true memoir-but a memoir with added info on the history of being deaf, of life being considered disabled, of international adoption, and the struggles and triumphs of raising a deaf child (as well as a non deaf child). Eye opening and important!

[ceci viana · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was just brilliant. a beautiful cross between memoir and non-fiction about deaf history and culture. i loved getting to learn about these topics because i find them super interesting, but having nović's personal stories interwoven set this apart. this will probably be the best non-fiction that i read this year.

[Bookreporter.com Biography & Memoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Nović's award-winning novel, TRUE BIZ, is set at a school for the deaf. Nović herself is deaf. She's also the mother of two young sons --- one, her biological child, is hearing; the other, adopted from Thailand, is deaf. It's this experience of parenting her boys and raising them within deaf culture that bookends her memoir. MOTHER TONGUE is both deeply personal --- contrasting her own youthful immersion into deafness with her son's experience --- and wide-ranging in scope.

Nović was practically dragged into her deaf identity kicking and screaming. After an initial diagnosis of hearing loss during a routine schoolwide screening, she spent years denying the truth from herself and hiding it from others, getting better at masking her growing deafness through a variety of techniques. However, she did eventually learn American sign language and is now --- as she explains clearly and consistently throughout the narrative --- a champion of preserving ASL as the best means for deaf people to communicate with one another and with hearing advocates in an authentic, fully expressive way.

I previously had seen references to some members of the deaf community criticizing the championing of technological “cures” for deafness, such as cochlear implants. But I didn't really understand the critique before reading Nović's book, which clearly spells out the limited capabilities of these devices and what the insistence on this kind of technology --- particularly for very young children who are deaf from birth or toddlerhood who don't have the ability to choose it --- means in terms of losing other access to language.

The links between language and the ability not only to communicate but also to think clearly and articulate those thoughts and feelings run throughout MOTHER TONGUE. Nović's joy is palpable as she witnesses her adopted son rapidly acquire language once he learns to sign. She also doesn't hold back in her criticism of family members of deaf children who fail to learn to sign at even a basic level, compelling their kids to conform to a hearing world rather than adapting themselves.

The memoir is even more expansive than this, as it explores the intersections of deafness with a variety of cultural and historic phenomena. They include the rates of police violence against deaf and disabled people, the enduring legacy of eugenic approaches to dealing with deafness (currently exacerbated in frightening ways by advancements in medical and reproductive technologies), and the rates at which deaf children eligible for adoption remain unplaced with families prepared to support and love them.

Those who already are part of the deaf community or adjacent to it likely will find much to relate with in MOTHER TONGUE. Hearing readers who aren't intimately acquainted with deafness (which, as Nović points out, is the vast majority of Americans) will find it as illuminating as it is affecting. At times, those less familiar with these issues may question why, for example, Nović takes exception with certain media portrayals of deafness, which are called out but not explained.

However, it's not Nović's job to connect the dots for the rest of us. It's our job, thanks to her enlightening narrative, to become aware and continue learning how we can better understand and appreciate the unique perspectives of deaf people.

Reviewed by Norah Piehl

[Holly Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75// This was very good. Using episodes from her life, growing up losing her hearing, then becoming a mother, Sara Nović shines a light into deaf history, culture, and activism. She is such a strong writer and reveals the ways that deafness has been attempted to be eradicated and "cured," and how contested ASL is with being incorporated into education. Other topics discussed are eugenics, language deprivation, race, gender, queerness, religion, and she does a great job at balancing the intersectionality. Of course, at the heart of this book are her two boys - S is her biological child and is a Child Of a Deaf Adult (or CODA), and K is a deaf adopted child from Thailand. Through her boys we also see her navigating pregnancy, childbirth, new motherhood, adoption across international lines, and advocating as a parent, and the ways she is continually discredited as a deaf parent. There's a lot to discuss, but she's very smart at how she tackles everything. It's clear that she is very concerned about the sustainability and continuation of deaf culture, and you can tell that is the legacy she wants to leave with her boys.

My only issue is that I think to call this a "memoir" is misleading. It is really more general nonfiction, maybe you could call it essays, with stories from her life to illustrate larger themes of deaf culture. I think readers who expect a more narrative telling of her life's story could be disappointed. Overall, this is definitely worth reading, but maybe when you're in the headspace to take in a lot of information.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Mihiret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sara Novic's novels and was eager to read her memoir. This book did not disappoint--you should definitely read it!--but it's more than a memoir. Using Novic's own experience of deafness and parenting as a window, it's an expansive exploration of deaf history, medical and educational bias, the changing nature of American churches and parenting through international adoption. As you might guess from that list, the book goes some unexpected places which seems appropriate considering the all-encompassing nature of language. If you enjoyed the deaf culture lessons in True Biz, Novic's most recent novel, this book expands on some of those themes. I was especially moved by Novic's account of meeting their adopted son, the challenges of advocating for his access to language, and the complexity of navigating all their cultures with respect. I did sometimes want a little more through-line between the various chapters (which function as expansive essays), but I enjoyed the variety here.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my free earc in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Kathy MacMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Sara Nović's novel, True Biz, which welcomed readers into the world of a residential school for the deaf via deeply developed characters and lessons about American Sign Language and Deaf Culture cleverly entwined into the plot. And I have long followed Nović's articles and advocacy work, where she has delivered clear-eyed, nuanced takes on everything from cochlear implants to the value of art. So I couldn’t wait to read her new memoir, Mother Tongue. As always, Nović delivers. This deeply felt book takes us along on her journey from the hearing world to the Deaf world (or deaf world, as she writes it, for reasons she explains in the book). Along the way, deep research on topics such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, international adoption, language deprivation, and the reproductive rights of marginalized people intertwines with personal stories of her experiences with the church, the medical community, the birth of her hearing son, and the adoption of her deaf son. As she reckons with the forces that have shaped her as a person and a writer, Nović will open the reader’s eyes to consider how those forces shape us all.

[Ryan Brandenburg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a rather mediocre reading experience with Sara Nović’s debut novel, which revolves around a diverse cast of characters within the Deaf community. Unfortunately, it failed to bring the emotional connection I had wanted.

So, when I discovered that the author was writing a memoir, I decided to give her writing another chance. I received an advanced copy of the memoir through NetGalley and the publisher, Random House.

It’s difficult to review this book, which was labeled a memoir, because it quickly didn’t feel like one. There were lengthy sections that felt more like nonfiction and excessively historical. While I did enjoy some parts where I gained new insights into the history of the Deaf community, this book fell short of the depth of the “memoir” experience I had initially anticipated.

If this topic intrigues you, this book might be a good fit. However, if you’re looking to explore a more personal experience on this subject, I would suggest finding something that’s a better fit on your TBR list.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother Tongue is a personal and political reflection on what it means to come into yourself when the world is not built with you in mind.

Nović writes about losing her hearing over time and the quiet, exhausting work of trying to pass in a hearing world which is something that shaped her early relationships, especially within her family. She names that in-between space: not fully belonging to one world or the other, and the grief and clarity that can live there at the same time.

As a mother, her story expands in powerful ways. She shares the realities of navigating pregnancy, birth trauma, and raising two sons, one hearing, one deaf while intentionally building a life rooted in Deaf culture and access. Her reflections on transnational adoption and disability justice added depth and complexity.

This book taught me not just about Deaf history and community in the U.S. and beyond but about identity, language, and the courage it takes to stop forcing yourself into spaces that were never designed for you.

[Hollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

Novic presents her memoir focusing on her hearing loss as a child, finding the deaf community, and parenthood to her biological and adopted son. While this alone could have been a daunting tasks to cover, Novic has also provided her reader historical context surrounding the Christian Right, internal adoption, and the deaf community and the ways it has flourished despite concentrated efforts to stunt it. I initially was worried that this would be a very dense memoir but I found myself enjoying learning about Alexander Graham Bell and why he sucks, the complexities of international adoption, and how ableism presents itself in our current society. The parts of herself that Novic decides to share make the whole thing even more engaging. My only complaint for this memoir is that at times it feels like Novic has decided to hide behind presenting the historical information to avoid revealing more about herself. This overall a really strong memoir and I will be recommending it to folks in my community.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It’s hurtful, of course, whenever someone feels your life is of so little value that they’d rather be dead than be you, doubly so when that conviction is strong enough for them to say it to you directly.”

MOTHER TONGUE is less memoir and more discursive exploration of deafness and other current day topics related to ableism, LGBTQIA, Moral Majority, adoption, MAGA and Trumpism, declines in public social welfare and privilege as it exists in many forms. Author Sara Novic covers all of these topics with such clarity and precision that she includes a reading list at the end of the book. So is this a memoir of a deaf woman? Sort of, but it is a treatise on much that surrounds the everyday life of someone contending with the hearing world. The book is compelling but not what I expected. It still deserves to be read as she writes so very well. I just don’t think I have any sense of her as an individual and I had hoped for that sense. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Charlie - disableddaydreamer | itsbarbieparis (looking for mutuals) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for giving me access to an epub review and a thank you to author, Sara Novic for a fantastic book.

As I create and push for more disability access I’m constantly trying to learn more, I like books that call out my internal ableism or here I felt called to really work hard on learning ASL, I continue to rotate languages but miss out on a major piece of deaf communication.

I like how Sara talks about her life and living with a disability, and they don’t shy away from tough conversations. I think the thoughts were extremely well thought out and I enjoyed this a lot. There’s very deaf centric conversations tha are so important to listen to as someone with other disabilities- though some conversations will be sure to make other people with disabilities feel seen too. Books like this are so important.

Arriving May 5 2026 and I highly recommend adding this to your list.

[Ivi · Rating 4 out of 5]

After loving True Biz, I was eager to dive into Novic's memoir hybrid. Don't expect a standard diary, this is history and advocacy cloaked in personal stories.

Novic uses their own life—losing their hearing, raising a Deaf child from Thailand, navigating religion—to shine a light on massive systemic issues. I learned about Alexander Graham Bell's ableism from this book for the first time. The book tackles language deprivation, education failures, and the sheer beauty of sign language without getting bogged down in oversharing. They are clearly private, but they balance that restraint perfectly with the bigger picture.

It's not just a memoir; it's a masterclass in Deaf history and the reality of being a nonbinary Deaf parent. Expect heavy context and light on gossip, and you'll be rewarded with a powerful, eye-opening read.

Essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the Deaf experience beyond the stereotypes.

Thanks to Random House for the eARC!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written and reads as part memoir, part non-fiction. I was familiar with most of the themes since I subscribe to Novic's newsletter and follow her on Instagram. I appreciated the exploration of deaf culture, history, disability rights, eugenics, adoption, identity, and the meaning of language and language deprivation. I think in some ways the book being labeled a memoir did it a disservice, since it was put together in chronological order as many readers might expect. and because it created a sense that the author was holding back. When read as a book of non-fiction inclusive of the meaningful lived experience of the author, it is a much more enjoyable experience. Although there was no surprise ending to anticipate, I read this book quickly and eagerly. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very excited to read this, as an avid memoir lover and a fan of Sara Novic's past work (I really LOVED True Biz). I wanted to learn more about the author who wrote such a captivating story. Sadly, while this book was interesting and informative, the author did not deliver on the promise of a memoir. From the blurb, you'd expect a deeply personal story, but I feel like after finishing, I barely know anything about the author that I couldn't glean from a Wikipedia page.

About 10-15% of the book was about Novic, her journey to becoming deaf and toward motherhood by birth and by adoption. Each chapter had snippets about her life but then led to a long exposition about ableism, deaf history and systemic issues. Don't get me wrong - I learned A LOT. But I signed up for a memoir and this book didn't deliver on that front.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Random House, for providing the copy of Mother Tongue by Sara Novic. If you only read one memoir this year, make it this one. I loved how this was not a self-centered memoir but one that explained serious life topics that affect many people. Novic’s story is interspersed with history: the quest to silence and oppress the deaf community was shocking, the first-hand recounting of inequalities of the medical profession in dealing with deaf mothers-to-be, which should be a lesson for all medical professionals, and the ordeal of international adoptions. While it may feel like too much, it makes sense in the end why it was included, and I learned a lot! What a stunning memoir. 5 stars

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

While billed as a memoir, this book is, to a larger degree, a history lesson about deafness and the mistreatment of deaf people over the years. There is a fair amount about the author’s life, especially as it relates to the adoption of a deaf child, but at times it reads more like an educational text. The author is clearly passionate about the subject matter, and her personal connection to it makes the book that much more interesting.

There is a section on the Christian right and queerness that felt a bit like filler. A tangential association with the deaf community was made, but the section felt a bit out of place and didn’t really provide valuable insight.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Novic's case is unusual as she spent her early years hearing without impediment. At the vulnerable age of 12, she began losing the ability to hear, learned through a routine test at her school. Early on, not wanting to be regarded or treated as different, she hid her condition until she realized that it wasn't something shameful. This book is more than her story, but also a portrait of how deafness is regarded in America, the interesting history of treatments and perceptions. Also the matter of her adoption of a son unable to hear, which she is raising along with her natural son who was born hearing.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novic's memoir is smart, thoroughly researched and thought-provoking. This is her story of losing her hearing and finding the Deaf community, learning to recognize and question the heirarchies that structure our society, and becoming a parent and advocating for her children. A necessary perspective on the importance of sign language, curbing language depravation in deaf children, and so much more. Novic's love of languages, research-backed information and her children shines through. I drank up this memoir. If you haven't already read it, her novel "True Biz," set at a school for the deaf, would make a great follow-up read.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I first came across the author when I read “Girl at War” which I loved. I was then eager to read “True Biz” which I also loved…and in that book I learned a lot about the world and culture of the deaf community. This memoir goes deeper into that world and also brings the author’s life into focus. Her writing about her life is emotive and nuanced and her love for her family (particularly her children) is apparent. There’s also a lot of information about various aspects of hetero-normative behavior and discrimination across many marginalized communities….much of which continues to be stunning.

[Danna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mother Tongue by Sara Nović is labeled as a memoir and, while it weaves in pieces of Sara’s life, it is more of an examination of the social history of deafness than a personal story. I found most of this history interesting, but the storytelling dry and slow to read. The history of disability stigma and treatment in America and beyond is shameful and disheartening, much of it being explained here. I didn’t like this all that much (the writing, not the content), but I would recommend it to the right audience.

2.5 stars rounded up. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Nović writes a compelling and captivating look at how the deaf community, and by proxy other marginalized groups are forced to advocate for basic access to bits of life taken for granted my most: communication within a community.

Our general lack of inclusivity from the outset has lead to so much xenophobia (mixed in with WS & patriarchy), especially in the medical sphere. You can't help but root for Sara and have your heart broken throughout their journey.

🗯️ "There are so many ways to love someone"
🗯️ "We can and must do better"

🎧Lisa Flanagan ⏳7h 33m + ASL interpretation audio recorded