Caught Between Two Worlds

 

 

 

Savannah is a communications major at a prominent university. One day, while walking across campus, she eyes a guy she can’t resist. He is absolutely gorgeous.

The communications major is taking American Sign Language (ASL) with Prof. Stockton to fulfill her language requirement. One homework assignment is to attend a Deaf event. What better way than Silent Spaghetti Supper at Aldo’s on Thursday nights? The only problem, no talking, even with the wait staff. All communication had to be in ASL or writing.

One Thursday evening Savannah and best friend Ashley, also taking Stockton’s class, show up at Aldo’s. At a nearby table, chatting away in sign, is Savannah’s hunk. And he notices her, too.

Eventually, Savannah and her hunk, Alex, an architect grad student, meet, but the communication’s major has a problem. Alex is Deaf, and her novice ASL skills just won’t cut the mustard.

However, Alex is completely enthralled with Savannah and enthusiastically helps her study, providing the support so that her ASL skills improve exponentially.

There is much more to the Deaf world than ASL, the foundation of the culture. In her novel, Silent Journey, E. Ayers does an exemplary job of bringing together two worlds—the Deaf and hearing—so readers can experience the joys and difficulties the two communities offer. In her inimical way, Ayers shows readers the depth of Deaf culture and its long history.

This reviewer has two issues with the book. First, Alex is portrayed as a man who can lip read conversations perfectly. However, if the author did her homework, she’d know that studies show that about 30 to 45 percent of the English language can be understood through lip reading. Next, Ayers’ novel is character based with a simple plot and complex characters. This reviewer felt that the descriptions of the scenes were scanty, but she made up for this with in depth character vignettes.

Silent Journey is a love story that brings the Deaf and hearing worlds together as readers see how love can conquer insurmountable odds.

About the Author

Ayers is a true believer in love at first sight because it happened to her. Writing about that love is what she enjoys doing and when she’s not spending time with her two dogs and cat, she’s busy writing. The official matchmaker for all the characters who wander through her brain, she likes finding just the right ones to create a story.

She writes a slice-of-life novel, the romantic slice in two characters lives. In today’s world, most people have careers and responsibilities. Figuring out how to blend two separate lives into one can be a huge dilemma. No one is perfect. She brings that into what she writes.

The fantasy of a handsome hunk that will sweep the damsel off her feet and carry her off to a castle in the clouds is still there, but that castle is probably a condo. And that damsel isn’t going to be persuaded by a few smooth lines.

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