The Sign for Home

DEBUT Arlo Dilly, a DeafBlind young man, lives under the strict control of his uncle, a devout Jehovah’s Witness. As Arlo’s world widens with the arrival of his new interpreter, Cyril, memories of a beautiful young woman he met in a Deaf boarding school resurface, and he gradually realizes that those closest to him are keeping secrets and holding him back. Despite the forces working against him, he breaks free, striking out to find his one true love. Screenwriter, playwright, and American Sign Language interpreter Fell’s premise is intriguing but the pacing is slow—though it picks up, albeit deep into the novel, when Arlo’s focus shifts to finding his long-lost girlfriend. He is helped by Cyril and an eclectic group of dedicated supporters on his path to freedom, independence, and self-discovery.