Literature, Deaf Characters in

Fiction

In the mystery genre, deaf characters may use their communication and visual skills to solve a mystery. In some juvenile mysteries, the manner in which communication skills are described may perpetuate inaccurate stereotypes, for example, that lip-reading is easy and accurate or that the character has extraordinary abilities or senses. For instance, one of the protagonists in the Invisible Inc. series by Elizabeth Levy (1994–1998) is Justin, a deaf student who reads lips, including those of his invisible friend Chip, to solve mysteries. Also, the main character in Christina Bridges’s The Hero (1982) is a person who can read lips and so informs the police of a robber’s hideout. A similar plot is used by Claire Blatchford in Nick’s Mission (1995). Nick is a sixth-grade student who attends a public school and has to attend speech classes over the summer. His lipreading skills lead him to catch bird smugglers and to accept the importance of speech and communication. Some juvenile mysteries include Deaf protagonists who sign and are members of the Deaf community. Gaps in Stone Walls (1998) by John Neufeld is the story of a 12-year-old deaf girl who is falsely accused of murder and then sets out to prove her innocence. It is set in Martha’s Vineyard in 1880, and the author includes conversations with both Deaf and hearing signers. The young adult mystery series Flying Fingers by Jean F. Andrews introduces the reader to a deaf boy who signs with his sister and friends throughout the process of solving mysteries. These books accurately and positively incorporate communication of the deaf. Adult mysteries tend to include strong, capable deaf main characters. For example, the novel Talk, Talk (2006) by T. C. Boyle has a strong, determined protagonist, a Deaf teacher at a school for the Deaf, who has her identity stolen. Intrigue follows as she attempts to find the thief and recover her identity. In the Connor Westphal Mysteries (1997–2007) by Penny Warner Connor, a deaf journalist, is involved in adventures as she acts as a sleuth. These last two mysteries weave together all the ways in which the Deaf can communicate, as well as the use of various technologies and service dogs.

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