A Sign of Her Own

Longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction.

In A Sign of Her Own, Ellen Lark is a deaf woman navigating life in a hearing world during the pivotal era of the invention of the telephone. Once a student of Alexander Graham Bell, Ellen’s life takes an unexpected turn when Bell seeks her support for his patent claim — but what he really wants and what she has to tell may be very different.

The novel explores betrayal, community, and identity as Ellen seeks her own voice amid a world that often refuses to listen. Set against the backdrop of historical innovation and societal change, this story brings to life the often overlooked experiences of deaf people in history.

“Enrapturing. A story of betrayal, community, speaking out and being heard.” — iPaper

“An exquisite portrayal of the dislocation of being deaf in a hearing world.” — The Times

“Vivid and eloquent… offers insight as well as delight.” — The Guardian