interesting and intricate book examining the realities of being both deaf and jamaican. always lyrically written. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thoughtful memoir that provided great insight into the many struggles being bi-racial and D/deaf. Their are challenges and yet also opportunities, depending on approach, attitude, and opportunity. The author continually brings the reader's attention to the fact that there are things that we all miss...sounds, sights, etc. Filling in those vacancies can lead to laughter, trouble, new ways of thinking, new ways to improve one's approach. A strong work of prose by a writer who is first a poet.

“The Quiet Ear: An Investigation of Missing Sound” by Raymond Antrobus is a fascinating memoir describing the life of a deaf poet. “The Quiet Ear” is Raymond Antrobus’ exploration of our relationship to sound and how it impacts our relationship to each other and to ourselves. A poet first, this memoir is written with profound awareness of sound and language. Beautiful and poignant, the text brought me new awarenesses and helped me to hear and understand the repercussions of the societal response to deafness and to disability in general. Antrobus is profoundly human, yet has the strength to be vulnerable, exposing the shame and pain of growing up different. The book strengthened my awareness and compassion, while making me aware of things I have missed. We all have missing sounds. We are all deaf to things beyond our ken. Antrobus aids us in focusing on, and hearing things, that would otherwise be outside our range. This is a literary, multicultural, and brave memoir. The reader is given an intimate look into the poet’s life – its beauty, its pain, and its sheer overwhelming humanity.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hogarth/Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.