Innocents of Oppression Novel

Amazon Customers Rating

"Fascinating, morbid, all–feeling, all–seeing and very evocative. Whirlwind and an emotional rollercoaster ... The book is a huge legacy of those times of Deaf Education. Long may it be a classic."

– PENNY BESCHIZZA, Deaf educator & campaigner. Read her review.

The story begins in 1977 when Chris, a popular but troubled 13–year old, meets a new boy Aaron at a traditional boarding school in England where sign language is banned. Their close friendship immediately forms but is then thrown into unexpected situations, trying to accept themselves as well as juggling with their classes, loyalty and sexuality as they embark on a troublesome journey together.

The school's pupils and teachers have issues of their own too such as adolescence, language barriers, family life, bullying, school politics and abuse.

But it's the new teacher from West Germany who brings with him a blind hatred towards sign language, the shocking truth behind its suppression and the escalating tension against the oralist oppression at the school soon surfaces and the story culminates with a shattering climax that changes the School, forever.

Innocents of Oppression is a powerful and controversial coming–of–age story bringing forth an array of other characters' funny, thought–provoking and disturbing accounts that are based on real–life experiences. It takes a candid insight into the life of an oral boarding school viewed from both Deaf and hearing perspectives and it also incorporates real Deaf issues and history, making this groundbreaking work of fiction an unforgettable read.