MM Reviews: Quiescence

Title: Quiescence

Evangeline - Evan - is a Junior, any college's dream student, unnoticeably beautiful, and also deaf. As Evan embarks on her journey to find her voice, she realizes - through a boy she finds herself falling for and an accident leaving her more suppressed than deaf - there's a difference between hearing, and listening.

Evan's differentiated outlook on life allows her a tinted yet uncensored view on the very beginnings of life, love, and loss.

Most young teenage stories are the same story rewritten by a different author - many have lost their spark to the masse, having become dull or uninteresting. Quiescence obliterates this stereotype. The story itself is simply about the average girl, but with impeccably crafted twists Quiescence really stands out and breeds hope. Not only is this story a breath of fresh air, it also tells the tale of how even a person with a "disability" can be and is just like everyone else. Writer in the Rye breaks new ground with this creative and original piece.

Quiescence tells the story of a young girl who soldiers through her teenage years despite being deaf. Evan is like any girl her age - only, she has to imagine sounds and fight to not let her "disability" stop from ruling her life. Her character has a strong family influence with great friends and support. Everything about Evan is normal, despite her difficulties. That is, until she meets a boy at school. Laci doesn't know Evan is deaf. Evan doesn't use American Sign Language to communicate with Laci - instead, she attempts to speak, using lip-reading to understand him. For the first time, she is a "hearing" girl and this excites her. Even though she feels guilt for lying and not even knowing how to pronounce Laci's name, she can't let the opportunity to have a real relationship go. But what will happen if all of this crumbles around her and Laci finds out who Evan truly is?

Writer in the Rye is an amazing storyteller, her work excellent beyond her years. The tone, plot and characters are mature and unexpected. This story will be adored by anyone who enjoys any genre as it tells the painfully realistic portrayal of a girl trying to find her place in the world.

Special thanks to Fandango and marlin. for editing!