Future Girl

by Asphyxia

Piper's mum wants her to be 'normal', to pass as hearing and get a good job. But when peak oil hits and Melbourne lurches towards environmental catastrophe, Piper has more important things to worry about, such as how to get food. When she meets Marley, a CODA (child of Deaf adult), a door opens into a new world - where Deafness is something to celebrate rather than hide, and where resilience is created through growing your own food rather than it being delivered on a truck. As she dives into learning Auslan, sign language that is exquisitely beautiful and expressive, Piper finds herself falling hard for Marley. But Marley, who has grown up in the Deaf community yet is not Deaf, is struggling to find his place in the hearing world. How can they be together Future Girl is the art journal of sixteen-year-old Piper, a visual extravaganza of text, paint, collage and drawings, woven into a deeply engaging coming-of-age story set in near-future Melbourne.

Paperback

About the author

Asphyxia is an artist, writer and public speaker. Author of the much-loved junior fiction series the Grimstones, Asphyxia has also been a circus performer and puppeteer. An avid art-journal creator, she loves to share her process and help others benefit from this amazing tool for self-expression, problem-solving, planning, goal-tracking and self-esteem.

Deaf since the age of three, Asphyxia learnt to sign when she was eighteen, which changed her life. She is now a Deaf activist, sharing details of Deaf experience. She raises awareness of oppression of Deaf people and what we can do to change this. Her free online Auslan course (www.asphyxia.com.au) has had over 15,000 students.

Asphyxia is kept busy with her small farm where she combines food-growing with art - creating a magical aesthetic with plants and natural elements.

Her novel for teens, Future Girl, combines all these passions.

Reviews

[Pip Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is genuinely one of the best books I’ve read this year!

I read it because I was told about the importance of Asphyxia’s work in the Deaf community and thought it looked quite interesting. I absolutely fell in love with the concept of Piper both figuring out how to navigate her identity and her place in the Deaf world/community, whilst also forming a really special appreciation and connection with nature. I’m hearing and have been learning Auslan for the past 2 years; this book taught me many new and important things about the Deaf experience. It was also cool to read signs being described and realise ‘hey, I know that one!’ or to think about how the characters might be signing their sentences.

I highly, highly recommend this book to everyone!

[Ally Van Schilt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something of a narrative of two parts - first, navigating life as a Deaf person, second, a dystopian Melbourne future society. I found that the two elements combined really well, and the visual elements to the story were amazing. The easiest comparison to make for this book was to the Illuminae files series (visual elements, future society, Australian YA author) and compared to that, Future Girl fell a little short in that it could have pushed the boundaries even more, in my opinion. Nevertheless an enjoyable read.

[Melissa Davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book! It really opened my eyes to what life can be like for a Deaf person. I know I take the ability to hear, for granted. As a Victorian, I love that the story is set in the future in Melbourne and certainly hope our future doesn't end up like it is in this book.

[Sara Eames · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a feast for the eyes and the imagination. It is one of the most gorgeous books I have had the pleasure of reading. It also raises a number of important issues...and asks difficult questions. Such a good book. Highly recommended.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was given this book for mothers day and really liked it. There's a lot to be said for the joy of helping things grow.