| What the Deaf-Mute Heard |  | Author: G. D. Gearino
Publisher: Books on Tape
Category: Book
List Price: $40.00
Buy Used: $4.46
You Save: $35.54 (89%)
Used (8) from $4.46
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 4985928
Format: Import
Media: Audio Cassette
Number Of Items: 7
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
ISBN: 5557121544
EAN: 9785557121545
ASIN: 5557121544
Publication Date: January 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: good condition ex-library stickers, thanks sharon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Well told, but cynical, without hope. Pornography may be disturbing. Not for young people. April 1, 2006
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a story well told, but it may not be the story you really want to read. Concerns you may want to consider include (1) a pervasive, chronic (though humorous) cynicism, (2) pornographic content, and (3) a lack of counterpoint to character viewpoints which occasionally border on the criminal.
If you were enchanted with the touching Hallmark story of a young boy who becomes the warm-hearted, caring confidant of those who think he can't hear. . . you probably need to look elsewhere. That is not Gearino's story (though that movie is very loosely based on Gearino's characters and events).
Gearino's Sammy Ayers is a cynical, emotionally scarred and hardened man who claims he has not had more than a few minutes of real joy in his life. Most of the characters are scarred or overwhelmed by life in one way or another, such that no one is really able to help Sammy much--nobody except maybe a lawyer. It is a book about brokenness in life which is only momentarily alleviated through revenge, a cynical recognition of irony, or occasionally in the joy of a well-turned phrase.
The cynicism of the story is related with a sort of nonchalant humor, and the clever and ironic combination of details and events that build to the story's conclusion keep the reader engaged, in spite of the dark tone.
Although some reviewers have suggested this book for young people, it should be noted that there is some adult sexual content. This work describes a pornographic act involving food and a kitchen utensil; one of the characters finds it emotionally disturbing just to have watched "a woman treated that way." The story also includes accounts of Sammy's first encounter and continued experiences as a customer of prostitution.
Gearino does a good job of helping us understand and sympathize with a cynical, jaded soul. However, he provides little counterpoint or redemption for Sammy--perhaps just a hint in the last pages, but only a hint. Even if it weren't for the sexual content, the lack of hope or counterpoint to Sammy's jaded view of life make this really questionable as something to recommend to young people without appropriate counterpoint discussion.
 A good book worth reading June 5, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
G.D. Gearino's novel "What the Deaf-Mute Heard" is kinda goofy, but worth the reading time. It tells the story of young Sammy Ayers who wakes up on a bus only to find his mother gone. He rides the bus to the last stop all the way into Barrington, Alabama. When the owner at the time, Jenkins, finds him, he decides to hold on to Sammy just in case somebody comes to get him. Nobody does. When Sammy learns that his mother won't come get him, he decides to unofficially settle in. He enrolls in school where he meets the biggest pain of his entire life: Tolliver Tynan, the local brat. Eventually, the book skips ahead a few years, where the world is questioning something huge. Who is greater? Jesus or John Lennon? Yes fans, this is set in the forties-sixties. Anyways, Sammy overhears Tolliver discussing a major road change that would cost the entire church insurance fund, and decides to report it. Now you have to undertand, this is coming from a man who has hardly said a word in 50 years. The story jumps around from being in the 40's right up to the big bonfire where they burn the albums. That's what makes the book unique. It tells as if Sammy's your grandpa. You can honestly say that if you ever hear a story from your grandpa he skips around. All in all, it's a good book, and worth the reading time. Oh and one more thing, this is not a book for the young ones. He doesn't hold anything back. I recommend for 10 and up.
 WONDERFUL-WONDERFUL !!! December 3, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I agree wholeheartedly that G D Gearino should be a much more recognized author. This guy has a wonderful style of writing-reminding me somewhat of another favorite author of mine - Dominick Dunne. I truly hated for the book to end. At times it was totally laugh out loud funny - which doesn't happen for me while reading very often. His writing style just keeps you hanging on and wanting to read more-therefore always keeping your curiosity up. The story was great - this is one of my favorite books ever! This book will NOT be passed on to the thrift shops - I will read it again.
WONDERFUL-WONDERFUL !!! December 3, 2002
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I agree wholeheartedly that G D Gearino should be a much more recognized author. This guy has a wonderful style of writing-reminding me somewhat of another favorite author of mine - Dominick Dunne. I truly hated for the book to end. At times it was totally laugh out loud funny - which doesn't happen for me while reading very often. His writing style just keeps you hanging on and wanting to read more-therefore always keeping your curiosity up. The story was great - this is one of my favorite books ever! This book will NOT be passed on to the thrift shops - I will read it again.
long lasting impression June 13, 2000
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I love this book! I am 13 I heard it on tape 4 (at age 9) years ago and the name and story has stayed with me. I thought it was a great idea! what if all people thought that you could not hear them? I thought this book had a great human nature as well as a great plot that just gets thicker and thicker I hope more people read this book. book lover to the sole, Megan
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