I'll Scream Later

Truly and honestly I enjoyed this book. And since I'm being honest, I wasn't 100% sure I was going to enjoy it. I didn't want any sort of biography or auto-biography; it's just not my cup of java. But since becoming fascinated with the beautiful and talented Marlee Matlin I knew it was a book I just couldn't pass up. It truly was fabulous.

There are so many things that I respect about her book. The fact that she's so candid and fearless. She delves deeply into her past, plucks out her demons and puts them on display for her readers. She's real. I loved it. And she just seems so down to earth.

For those of you who do not know, Marlee is Deaf. And for those of you who do not know the difference, Deaf has a different connotation than deaf. The capitalized D means that the individual -- or group, for that matter -- is proud of their deafness. And, possibly most importantly, Deaf person is not disabled.

On the other hand, being so profoundly Deaf ((and I mean proud)) can be...well, a turn off. ((For me.))

I took Deaf Culture and History two years ago. I received my Associates Degree in American Sign Language Communicatons and Interpretation. I've been in love with ASL since seeing the movie Children of a Lesser God. And through my college courses and getting out and meeting people in in the Deaf Community, I've learned so much. And unfortunately, one thing I've learned is that the Deaf Community can be brutal. If you're not Deaf then you're most likely ousted from the community. If you go mainstream ((public schooling, not a residential school specifically for the Deaf)), then you're almost traitorous. Often times if you speak, as opposed to signing, or are pro-Cochlear Implants you're accused of not being proud of who you are.

To me, it seemed a little too much like prejudice.

Now, allow me to say that not every D/deaf individual that I meant has shared that mentality, and after reading I'll Scream Later, I've realized that Marlee didn't either. At least, she appeared not to be. In fact, over the course of her career she's received a lot of flake from the Deaf Community. If she didn't do something to their liking then she was "unsupportive."

Anyway, the fact that she is so incredibly down to earth in that aspect and has found away to exist in both Deaf and Hearing Culture is something I admire and appreciate so much. She seems like such a sweetheart.

Now that I'm off my little pedestal -- lol -- I just want to say that this book is definitely an excellent one to pick up. It's motivational. It's funny and witty. Definitely it can be dark, what with her mention of her on-going struggle with addiction and her abusive relationship with William Hurt.

That, I think, would have to be the only thing negative to say about the book. It is one-sided and it's difficult to remain unbiased or arbitrary. I try not feel anger towards this Academy Award winning actor I don't know, but it's tough. *shrug* Maybe I'll read his biography, if he ever gets around to writing one.

Next, from my booklist I'm going to read Jane Eyre, and then I think I wanna try this new book I found:: Echoes by Maeve Binchy. I've never heard of the author. Any of you? I hope I like it! *crosses fingers*