Impossible Music

Showcasing his skill at writing realism, Australian sci-fi author Williams (the Twinmaker series) creates a contemplative, sensitively written novel that takes readers deep into the mind of a young musician suffering an identity crisis. Simon, 18, has it all. He plays in a rock band and is looking forward to studying music at a university. Then, one night, he has a stroke and wakes up completely deaf. Suddenly, everything about his life is “thoroughly overturned.” Initially reluctant to attend Australian sign language classes, it’s there that he meets and falls in love with G, who is newly deaf through tinnitus. Whereas Simon hears nothing, G’s head is full of noise, making it impossible for her to discern external sounds. Intrigued by G and determined to continue his path in music, Simon divides his time between seeing her and composing, knowing that he could be setting himself up for romantic and creative heartbreak. Filled with philosophical ideas about the definition of music and its accessibility to the deaf, this thought-provoking love story considers how to move forward into a new reality. Ages 14–up. [em](July) [/em]