An empowering story of a young woman's journey to accepting her deaf identity, exploring the hidden history of the deaf community in the invention of the telephone

LONGLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION - an unforgettable novel of a deaf woman's quest to tell her story, and find her place in the world.

'Enrapturing. A story of betrayal, community, speaking out and being heard' iPaper
'Illuminating... beautifully written' Priscilla Morris, author of Black Butterflies
'An exquisite portrayal of the dislocation of being deaf in a hearing world' The Times
'Vivid and eloquent... offers insight as well as delight' Guardian

Ellen Lark is on the verge of marriage when she receives a visit from Alexander Graham Bell.

Once she believed she was important to Mr Bell. As one of his deaf students, she was among the first to learn of his dream to transmit a human voice along a wire: the telephone.

Now Mr Bell's idea is a reality, and he is beset by problems - and he expects Ellen to use her voice on his behalf.

But Ellen has a story of her own: of a man she loved, a language she discovered, and a community Bell betrayed. It is a story no one around her wants to hear - but there may never be a more important time for her to tell it.

⭐ What readers are saying; ⭐

'Profound, moving and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed it' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Compelling... beautiful as well as fascinating' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Tremendously engaging... brings history to life' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐