Review: "The Sign for Drowning" by Rachel Stolzman

I have just finished the novel, The Sign for Drowning, by Rachel Stolzman and my initial reaction is that this story will stay with me for a long time. It is hard to explain, but sometimes a book is deeply moving and you aren't able to shake it from your thoughts.

The story begins with Anna as an eight year old on the beach with her family, which includes her mother, father, and five year old sister Megan. Along with them is a family friend Carla, and her young daughter, Bonnie. Anna sits on the sand with her mother, while her father is out on the water with Carla, Bonnie and Megan. The two girls are having fun on a small raft. When a large wave comes, the raft is covered, and when the wave is gone, Megan is gone with it. A frantic search pursues while Anna looks on in a state of unknowing and shock. Megan is never seen again.

The story picks up with Anna as an adult. She now works at a hearing center with deaf children. We discover that sign language has been important to her since childhood. When Megan died, she thought she could communicate to her with sign, so she became fluent in the language, and made it her life's work. Through her work, she encounters five year old Adrea, a deaf child who was abandoned by her teenage parents at 18 months. She feels a connection to this child, and decides to adopt her.

The two form a bond as mother and daughter, but Anna has been unable to recover completely from the tragedy which has been haunting her for nearly her entire life. Her family has become dysfunctional, and she and her mother have become mostly estranged. Since the drowning, her mother has pulled herself away from Anna and fallen into a deep depression. This relationship has troubled Anna for years. She wonders if she adopted Adrea as a way to replace Megan, despite the love she feels for her new daughter.

As the story progresses, so too does Anna and Adrea's relationship which is really touching and special to see. Despite the bad relationship with her own mother, Anna has been able to form a loving and close connection to her own daughter.

The first thing that struck me about this story is how much it is unlike any other story I have ever come across. One of the best points for me is the use of ASL and the depiction of Deaf culture. This peaked my interest as I studied ASL for a year and found the language and lifestyle to be fascinating. I have not come across many books that have recognized this unique lifestyle, and was appreciative to have found such a book. It inspires me to want to pick up the language again.

As for the story, I found it to be simply stunning. It is full of metaphors as well as flashbacks which really help to tell Anna's story, as well as her mother's and Adrea's. Though it is only 192 pages, I began to feel quite connected to the characters and found myself caring very much about what would happen to them.

Adrea is an interesting character and we really get an opportunity to see her growth. Not only is she deaf, but she is also adopted. Despite the obstacles these might present, Adrea proves to be a strong and loving child who easily accepts Anna into her heart. It is a touching moment when she calls Anna her mother for the first time. The relationship these two forge really helps Anna begin to put the pieces of her life back together as well as make Adrea feel loved and accepted.

This is a story about love and what it means to be family. It speaks to us about regret, guilt and moving on. If you are looking for an action packed, exciting climatic story, this is not for you. However, if you are looking for something different, a unique, meaningful, beautifully crafted story, then I strongly recommend you pick up a copy of The Sign For Drowning.

This is Rachel's debut novel, though it certainly does not read as a first book. I enjoyed it immensely and will be eagerly anticipating more of Rachel's future work.

I will be hosting a giveaway for a brand new copy of this book later in the week provided by Rachel, so stay tuned. Next week, I will be having an interview with Rachel which I am looking forward to, so be sure to check that out as well!