The bestselling classic about three generations of a deaf family in modern America, by the author of I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

'A miracle of empathy, a tour de force' The New York Times

Two young deaf people, Abel and Janice, elope from their punitive school in the 1920s and begin married life with high hopes. But navigating 'Outside', the world of the hearing, is harder than they anticipated. After a misunderstanding about a car payment kickstarts years of debt for the couple, we follow them through the birth of their daughter Margaret, through grinding work, quiet tragedies and humble triumphs over the decades, as the rich language of Sign - and their powerful love for each other - enable them to survive.
Inspired by the author's work with the deaf community, In This Sign is a rare, compassionate portrait of the lives of deaf people, and a moving family saga.

With an Introduction by Sara Novic and a new Afterword by the author

Two young deaf people, Abel and Janice, leave their punitive school and begin their life as a married couple 'Outside' - in the unwelcoming world of the hearing. A misunderstanding about the payment plan on a car kickstarts years of debt, hard labour and ostracization; but they find solace and expression in the richness of Sign, in their hard-won independence and in the birth of their daughter Margaret. First published in 1970, only a decade after ASL's formal recognition as a language, In This Sign is a rare, compassionate portrait of the deaf community and a moving family saga that spans the twentieth century. With an introduction by Sara Novic and a new afterword by the author.