Do I have a diverse bookshelf? Pt 8: Disabilities
Oh, hmmm.... The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down from the last post would’ve counted here. Anyway onward! Here our blog says a diverse shelf also contain stories about people with disabilities. These stories help us understand that people with disabilities are normal. They have the same hopes and dreams. They can be heroes or villains like anyone else.
I’m a little worried about this category. Let’s see what I come up with.
[5 minutes later]
That actually wasn’t too hard. Let’s start with an obvious one:
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
I think Steinbeck is the first author to appear twice in my lists! Welcome! Many American read this book in school. It’s about two migrant workers George and his pal Lenny who is mentally disabled. The story is about people’s perceptions and how they get all tangled up. It’s a sad story. You’re going to cry.
Deerskin by Robin McKinley (Trigger Warning)
While I was perusing my bookshelf, I remembered that disabilities can be invisible, too! This is a fantasy story about Lissla Lissar a beautiful princess who is abused by her parents then sexually assaulted by her father; he rapes her. His actions almost destroy her, and she must find a way to find herself again. When I think about it now, this entire book is really about her recovery. And that’s a rare thing to see.
The Two Kinds of Decay by Sarah Manguso
The author is a young woman in her 20s when she acquires an autoimmune disease. While trying to live life, she struggles with medical blood cleansings, collapsed veins, chest catheters, depressions and how to articulate what’s happening. This is a lyrical memoir—a mix of poetry and memory.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë (Spoilers!)
The generally unsung sister of Charlotte and Emily, Anne also wrote books. And I was quite surprised by this when when I saw an adaptation of it. The miniseries sent me off to read the book. Written from the perspective of a young man, Gilbert Markham is intrigued by the mysterious and beautiful widow Helen and her young son. He later finds out she has run away from her alcoholic husband. A very contemporary novel about alcoholism, spousal abuse and parental trauma.
The Ear, the Eye and the Arm by Nancy Farmer
It’s Zimbabwe in the year 2194! General Mastika’s three children disappear from their house, and their parents call on three unusual detectives who have special abilities based on their disabilities. The Ear has super sensitive hearing, the Eye has great vision, and the Arm is super empathetic. The three embark on an adventure through wealthy hotels and the underground to get the children back!
Bonus Title: I have this as an ebook:
Deaf Lit Extravaganza Edited by John Lee Clark
I attended a panel of deaf and hearing-impaired authors and bought this book! Like all oppressed minorities, I didn’t realize society had tried to ban sign language for many, many years. There’s poetry, fiction, memoir and history in this anthology!
I’m a little worried about this category. Let’s see what I come up with.
[5 minutes later]
That actually wasn’t too hard. Let’s start with an obvious one:
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
I think Steinbeck is the first author to appear twice in my lists! Welcome! Many American read this book in school. It’s about two migrant workers George and his pal Lenny who is mentally disabled. The story is about people’s perceptions and how they get all tangled up. It’s a sad story. You’re going to cry.
Deerskin by Robin McKinley (Trigger Warning)
While I was perusing my bookshelf, I remembered that disabilities can be invisible, too! This is a fantasy story about Lissla Lissar a beautiful princess who is abused by her parents then sexually assaulted by her father; he rapes her. His actions almost destroy her, and she must find a way to find herself again. When I think about it now, this entire book is really about her recovery. And that’s a rare thing to see.
The Two Kinds of Decay by Sarah Manguso
The author is a young woman in her 20s when she acquires an autoimmune disease. While trying to live life, she struggles with medical blood cleansings, collapsed veins, chest catheters, depressions and how to articulate what’s happening. This is a lyrical memoir—a mix of poetry and memory.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë (Spoilers!)
The generally unsung sister of Charlotte and Emily, Anne also wrote books. And I was quite surprised by this when when I saw an adaptation of it. The miniseries sent me off to read the book. Written from the perspective of a young man, Gilbert Markham is intrigued by the mysterious and beautiful widow Helen and her young son. He later finds out she has run away from her alcoholic husband. A very contemporary novel about alcoholism, spousal abuse and parental trauma.
The Ear, the Eye and the Arm by Nancy Farmer
It’s Zimbabwe in the year 2194! General Mastika’s three children disappear from their house, and their parents call on three unusual detectives who have special abilities based on their disabilities. The Ear has super sensitive hearing, the Eye has great vision, and the Arm is super empathetic. The three embark on an adventure through wealthy hotels and the underground to get the children back!
Bonus Title: I have this as an ebook:
Deaf Lit Extravaganza Edited by John Lee Clark
I attended a panel of deaf and hearing-impaired authors and bought this book! Like all oppressed minorities, I didn’t realize society had tried to ban sign language for many, many years. There’s poetry, fiction, memoir and history in this anthology!
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