The Right Kind of Fool

Starred review from October 15, 2020
Haunted by his culpability for the deafness of his son, Loyal, Creed Raines knows he is better off alone in his mountainside cabin. His wife can understand the boy, and Creed would only make matters worse with his bullheadedness, much like his own father. When Loyal, 13, unexpectedly comes to Creed for help after discovering a corpse, Creed is quickly pulled back into the life he tried to abandon. As they search for answers to the mysterious death, Loyal begins teaching a hesitant Creed sign language so that they can better communicate with one another, thus revealing the power of mutual understanding and acceptance. Thomas (When Silence Sings, 2019) returns with an uplifting novel that strikes all the high points of redemptive love and coming-of-age within a historical murder mystery. Set in West Virginia during the Great Depression, this father-son tale affirms the challenges facing the Deaf community. Thomas brilliantly incorporates the use of sign language throughout the novel and infuses sparkling energy in her depiction of her characters' growing understanding. She writes with compassion and honesty as she appraises the gifts of hearing and of being heard, and offers a fresh look at the nuances and the importance of emotional intelligence.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)