Senseless

by Anna Lickley

Beth’s partner, Dan, inexplicably vanishes from her life and nine years later she is still struggling. In the intervening years, she has learnt British Sign Language (BSL) and got what she thought would be her dream job, supporting deaf students in college. However, she finds she still feels dissatisfied with just about everything: from working life to sex life, domestic life to social life, it’s as if the traumas of her past will forever mar her future.
Through her work, Beth meets a group of strong-minded, pragmatists who show her how they’ve adapted to challenges of having a disability.
Is Dan’s disappearance the primary source of Beth’s sadness? Can her new friends help to shift her perspective on dealing with life? Will learning BSL prove to be significant after all? And what really happened to Dan?

The answers may be quite unexpected.

208 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2018

About the author

Anna Lickley’s adult life has been moulded by the challenges of adapting to disability. She was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) in the 1990s and went deaf soon after, while at university. She then began to learn British Sign Language to help with communication and loved it immediately, becoming fluent enough to teach it.
In the last seven years, Anna’s vision has deteriorated and she is now registered deaf–blind. That and other health complications led her to stop working. Although sad to leave a job she loved, she is now relishing having more time to write and much of her writing is greatly influenced by her desire to share the realities of living with disability.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review"

A quote:
“Beth was so tired of this. How many times did she have to remind them? Signing British Sign Language was not just gesturing and repeating what you heard. It was translating from English to another language.” (Quote from ARC)

This is a very compelling story of what it means to be a sign language interpreter – with glimpses into deaf culture and how deaf and hearing people see/apprehend the world differently – and also a great depiction of a young man living with multiple sclerosis.
I really liked the take on the difficulties and challenges of moving between two different worlds and languages, whether you’re a sign language interpreter or a translator, and the professional ethics and obligations of these jobs.
I found the romance a bit underdeveloped – Beth and Sam only meet halfway through the book – but the portrait of a young and very troubled woman trying to excel at BSL, without patronizing her clients, is amazing.
I loved the hero – although I would have liked to see more of him. It’s unusual to find such a wounded hero, and the description of the ups and downs of his condition was very believable.
With his optimism and strength, firefighter Sam turns out to be an endearing and strong character.
The heroine’s struggles are, in a way, more difficult to watch, but still realistic. I guess depression, alcoholism and casual sex are less interesting conditions/inclinations in terms of fiction, but her traumatic past and hidden scars make those issues understandable.
I enjoyed the British setting and the secondary characters too.

I'm grateful to the publisher, Unbound/Unbound Digital, and NetGalley for providing a free copy

[Alex Marchant · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable, insightful and thought-provoking read
This isn't a novel of a type I would normally pick up, but I met the amazing author briefly at a writing event and when I heard about her writing journey and forthcoming novel, I signed up as a 'patron' for its publication.
I'm very glad I did as I thoroughly enjoyed this story of the interweaving of complicated lives. Beth, damaged by traumas in her past, seeking to find a path to the future through her dream job, helping others with her British Sign Language skills; Sam, physically damaged by multiple sclerosis but picking himself up and continuing to live; Paula, deaf-blind, taking no nonsense in an otherwise sighted, hearing world.
All in all a satisfying read which also offers a valuable insight into living with the challenges of disabilities.

[MarylineD · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Senseless" by Anna Lickley.

5 stars.
I loved it! A real page turner!
Well written, easy to follow, believable, interesting story, good characters you get to know and care about...
Unlike most of the things you read this is based on the author's real issues, so it makes details, everything interesting and believable. This feels real, this IS real! It will change the way you see people with disabilities, how you interact.

This is a good book you will enjoy!

And I want to tell you, Anna Lickley, you are talented, you are brave, you don't want pity, you want to help others with their disabilities! Amazing! Congratulations!
And keep writing, I will keep reading!

Thank you NetGalley and Unbound for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review shared online on NetGalley, Goodreads, Twitter...

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book it was a page turner. The build up of a budding relationship between the main character and someone who unexpectedly suffered from an illness which resulted in a life changing experience and his struggle acknowledging and coming to terms with a disability. I really liked his personality and his approach to life and others- he was my favourite.
For me personally it challenged my preconceptions of living with restricted mobility and I how interact with people.
I can honestly say this book is a good read.

[Steve]

Beth is a CSW, communication support worker, in BSL (British Sign Language), meaning she is not a fully qualified interpreter, but does some interpreting at a college. A couple of traumas in her life have led Beth to a pretty isolated life by choice. Events of the story draw Beth slowly out of her shell.

Other characters also face challenges, some relating to disability, some not, and author Lickley handles these very well, the realities of limitations and the variety of emotional responses, too + Beth's story develops independently of Sam's, a firefighter, but the stories do merge. For me as a reader, Lickley's insights into change and challenge were the best parts, along with the time some characters spent at a stables for disabled people. I didn't relate to Beth in any significant way, but found aspects of other characters, Paula, for example, that I did. The writing flows nicely, but some quirks in the font or format in my ereader occasionally separated words into parts that interfered with reading flow, I feel obligated to not 'rate' this book with stars, feeling that my friendship with Anna Lickley might preclude my ability to be objective.

[Ann Vear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Senseless has been much anticipated, following pledged support to Unbound. It does not disappoint.
The style is current, the characters are believable and Anna's knowledge of striving through disability comes through strongly in the storyline. I was eager to absorb the unfolding dramas, heartache and courage of its characters and each chapter has you willing them on to make the decisions that are going to be 'right' for them. This is a novel that tugs at the heartstrings and showcases the growing talent of its author.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The inherent interest of the subject matter of this unusual novel goes some way to compensate for its faults. Not that it’s a bad novel, not at all, but it’s not always a successful or convincing one. The central character is Beth, who has had more than her share of tragedy and bad luck in life. After nine years she is still grieving for her partner Dan who suddenly and inexplicably moved out on her. She’s never comes to terms with her loss and often resorts to self-destructive behaviour to mask her unhappiness. In an effort to find meaning in her career she has learnt British Sign Language and supports deaf students. At a Riding for the Disabled weekend to which she accompanies one of her clients she meets Sam who is battling Multiple Sclerosis. The novel expertly tackles the challenges of disability and is based on the author’s own personal experience. The people Beth meets all have physical disabilities and have had to adjust to them, just as Beth must learn to live with her emotional issues. The book highlights some very important topics and is to be applauded for that. But for me the book lacked focus, bringing in as it does so many problems. The romance aspects felt unconvincing and too rushed, and although we later find out more about Dan, his story too felt unrealistic. Basically there are too many sub-plots and a tighter narrative structure would have made for more of an impact. Nevertheless I found it a reasonably engaging read and even if I couldn’t relate to the characters I could at least empathize with their predicaments.

[Aida Alberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.Very good book about figuring out who you and where you are headed. Well written and engaging it will definitely stay with you long after the last page. Definitely pick up this gem of a book Happy reading! #Senseless #NetGalley

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book! It features a main character who is a sign language interpreter and also multiple characters with various disabilities. Finding books with accurate portrayals of disabilities is so rare these days. As someone with a physical disability, there are many accurate portrayals of what it looks like to live with a disability, but this one is getting it right so far. Heck yeah, Anna Lickley!

[Jo Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book by Anna, its a rollercoaster of emotions but so so good, i could not put it down.
I want another instalment to find out what happened to all the characters. Its written so cleverly and is an inspiring insight into the world of disabled characters. Well done Anna, i would highly recommend this book to anyone.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Senseless is a novel about Beth, who has been through a lot in her life and is struggling to find her place. She works supporting deaf / blind students in college using BSL (British Sign Language) but the job isn’t as satisfying as she hoped – she’s always been asked to do things that aren’t part of her job, or is expected to be able to sign things at short short notice for a student and is frustrated that the student is missing out. Beth also has difficulties in her personal life – her partner Dan walked out on her a few years ago and she still doesn’t know why or even where he went and if he’s okay.

Senseless is a novel told through the viewpoint of two characters, Sam and Beth, although it is more about Beth as her story is told in the present and the past. She has had a really tough time when she was younger and it’s something that she’s never really dealt with. You gradually get to find out and understand why Beth is the way she is, she has had a lot to cope with. She self-medicates with alcohol and sex. Beth really struggles emotionally through this novel with what she wants in life. She thought her job would bring her joy but things aren’t what she hoped for. I felt really sad for her, and was really hoping she would find contentment in her life. She’s a really likeable character and easy to identify with. Sam is another interesting character, I very much liked him and his attitude to life. He is a firefighter but hasn’t been feeling well. He wants to confide in his girlfriend but she doesn’t seem to notice that he’s struggling. Eventually he finds out what is wrong and his life is changed.

There is such great representation of disability in this novel, particularly what it’s like to be deaf but also other forms of disability such as MS and needing to use a wheelchair. I loved how Anna Lickley seamlessly raises awareness of disability throughout her novel but in such a way that you don’t feel there is an agenda. I’m disabled and use a wheelchair, so I could really identify with Sam in particular and how he felt about his increasing reliance on other people and on aids such as his wheelchair. I very much appreciated how he is such a well-rounded character and the mentions of his disability are only there when relevant and are only one part of him. I really identified with how it feels to be in a wheelchair and forever having to shout to converse with your partner or a friend, who is always behind you as they push you. This is one of the things that upsets me the most about my condition – I never get to be alongside my husband when we’re out together anymore.

‘… spoke into he air : it was weird having the person you were speaking to walking behind you.’

Anna Lickley really shows in Senseless what it is to lose a sense, or a part of your physical self to disability but also, and perhaps more importantly, how every other part of you is still the same as it ever was. Disabled people have relationships, have sex, want to socialise and do all of the same things as everyone else. I also loved the exploration of how society often sees disabled people as victims but it is so often not how we see ourselves. I’m incredibly stubborn and refuse to give in for example, and in this book the character with MS says if he has to be known as anything in relation to his condition it would to be a struggler rather than a sufferer, and I can empathise with that. The novel really draws together the way we all have our difficulties – be they a physical disability or the real unhappiness that Beth feels.

Beth ends up going on a weekend break to a horse-riding school for the disabled to act as a support worker to Paula who is deaf blind. The horse riding part of the book was so brilliant. It shows how there are times when everyone, no matter what is going on in their lives can find common ground. I really enjoyed seeing how everyone adapted and how it helped Beth to open herself up to the possibility of what life might have to offer her if she gives herself a chance.

Senseless is a novel for everyone – it’s a well-written book filled with really well-rounded characters. The exploration of how everyone is dis-abled in a way by whatever difficulty they have in life is fascinating. It’s not always easy for anyone and we all need to take more time to really see other people.

Senseless is such a brilliant read – it’s got a great storyline, with believable characters and you get completely invested in their lives. I laughed and I cried while reading this book, it really is a special novel and one that will stay with me. I found this hard to put down and will definitely be looking out for more of Anna Lickley’s writing in the future! I urge everyone to go buy a copy of Senseless and to read it asap!

[Mary Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent first novel by Anna, with a good plot, likeable and believable characters and a great surprise at the end! Loved it.

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“Senseless” is a story about overcoming trauma and about how you can’t choose what happens to you, but you can choose your mindset. At the beginning of the book we meet Beth. She works as a Communication Support Worker, a person that signs British Sign Language to deaf people at a college. Even though she took this job because she wanted to “change things”, she feels frustrated and taken for granted. Though a series of flashbacks, we can witness some of the events that had a very deep impact in her life and personality. In the present, Beth struggles with depression, alcoholism and meaningless sex full of self-loathing.

Interspersed with Beth’s, we find some chapters about Sam, a young father who is forced to leave his job as a firefighter when he is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. His chapters jump in time, showing us his different stages of acceptance towards his condition.

Beth and Sam meet by chance, and even though she is always “the helper”, he and a group of people with disabilities help her deal with her traumas.

I though the book was a good read. Its language is simple but efficient and it raises awareness about the struggles of people with different disabilities (MS, deafness, etc). I think it also acknowledges the important role that CSW and BSL interpreters have in society, role that is sometimes taken for granted or even made fun of.

I liked the first half of the book better than the second, though. I think the first half, with its different flashbacks, does a great job in making us understand everything that has happened to Beth. However, the second half seems a bit fuzzy to me, as if everything was happening very fast. The big reveal near the end, though huge, felt poorly developed and the relationship between Beth and Sam felt a bit forced. I think the book premise is very interesting but the book is too short to explore so many deep topics. Maybe if it were longer, some aspects would have been further developed and the story would be more compelling.

I read a bit of background information about the author and her disabilities, and how many parts of the book are based on her own experience, and I thought it is very inspiring that she has decided to use her time to share the reality of living with disabilities and overcoming challenges.

Thank you NetGalley and Unbound Digital for this ARC.

[Jojanneke S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Unbound for a digital copy of this book.

In Senseless, Lickley gives a lot of insight into living with disability, and how society often fails to accommodate disability adequately. She deserves to be commended for providing that insight as only she could have done.

The execution of her book leaves quite a lot to be desired, however. My impression was that it seemed more like an early draft than a finished novel. It could have done with a lot more depth, both in terms of plot and characterisation as well as in terms of simple description. Characters aren't much more than names. Emotions characters experience are simply named, and not felt, neither by the character nor by the reader. Chapters end too abruptly, dialogue doesn't ring true and the evolution of the story didn't seem organic to me.

In short, there's a lot missing. I think that, as Lickley continues to grow as a writer, she might one day write a novel that teaches the reader more about what it's like to be disabled but also gives a lot more to the reader in terms of story and emotion, character arcs and a coherency of vision. I hope she will, because I do think she has a lot to offer.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.