The Sign for Home: A Novel

Written by Blair Fell

Narrated by Blair Fell

Longlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize

When a young DeafBlind man learns the girl he thought was lost forever might still be out there, he embarks on a life-changing journey to find her—and his freedom.

Arlo Dilly is young, handsome, and eager to meet the right girl. He also happens to be DeafBlind, a Jehovah’s Witness, and under the strict guardianship of his controlling uncle. His chances of finding someone to love seem slim to none.

And yet, it happened once before: many years ago, at a boarding school for the Deaf, Arlo met the love of his life—a mysterious girl with onyx eyes and beautifully expressive hands which told him the most amazing stories. But tragedy struck, and their love was lost forever.

Or so Arlo thought.

After years trying to heal his broken heart, Arlo is assigned a college writing assignment which unlocks buried memories of his past. Soon he wonders if the hearing people he was supposed to trust have been lying to him all along, and if his lost love might be found again.

No longer willing to accept what others tell him, Arlo convinces a small band of misfit friends to set off on a journey to learn the truth. After all, who better to bring on this quest than his gay interpreter and wildly inappropriate Belgian best friend? Despite the many forces working against him, Arlo will stop at nothing to find the girl who got away and experience all of life’s joyful possibilities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Apr 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781797136264

Blair Fell

Blair Fell writes and lives in Jackson Heights, New York, with his partner. Blair’s television work includes Queer as Folk, and the Emmy Award–winning California Connected. He’s written dozens of plays including the award-winning plays Naked Will, The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun, and the downtown cult miniseries Burning Habits. His personal essays have appeared in HuffPost, Out, Daily News (New York), and more. He’s a two-time winner of the prestigious Doris Lippman Prize in Creative Writing from the City College of New York, including for his early unfinished draft of The Sign for Home. Concurrently with being a writer, Blair has been an ASL interpreter for the Deaf since 1993, and has also worked as an actor, producer, and director.

Reviews for The Sign for Home

[Shemri Harris · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is such a beautiful story the cover looks like a romcom even the synopsis sounds a little like a cute love story but this is a Huge story and has so many emotions! Real, raw and sad!
I followed along in the book while listening to the audio.
I just fell in love with Arlo his story, his group of friends.
You become so invested with the characters.
When Arlo meets Cyril his interpreter they change each other‘s lives in so many ways.
This book will stick with me for a while. I love a book that makes you really continue to think about it for a long time.

The story felt personal to me with Arlo being a Jehovah witness he was so sheltered. If not following what the religion wants then you’re shunned by family and friends. This can be very damaging and lonely. When you’re being taught everything is evil or the devil and bad you live in constant shame, fear, worry, stress and panic. I was so glad Arlo was able to meet other people that helped him see there is more to life and not just ones who are closed minded and have such a narrow way of thinking.

A sign from home was such a heartwarming wonderful story. While very sad at times Arlo has such a fight in him, he is strong! I highly recommend listening to the audio because the way Blair narrates, brings the story to life.

5 star read/listen for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[sharon lewis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was such a fun book that I couldn’t stop listening to it! I finished it in one day!! It sealed with with some some hard topics also.
Everyone should put this this one on their TBR.

[Anya · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I couldn’t stand the narrator’s voice, the book sounds interesting but if the voice is not right it’s very hard to get past. Recommend you get someone professional to read your book.

[Amy Hardaway · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best book I’ve ever read! Love the characters and interesting look into the deaf/blind experience and community