Finding Zoe – Book Review
We can never fully understand what it’s like to walk in another person’s shoes. That’s why reading the stories of other people are so important.
Well-written biographies, autobiographies and memoirs provide us with insight and compassion into lives that differ from ours and help us to better understand our own humanity when commonalities exist.
That’s the beauty of Finding Zoe – A Deaf Woman’s Story of Identity, Love and Adoption by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris.
Finding Zoe will raise your consciousness on a number of important social issues while tugging at your heartstrings.
Finding Zoe is a book about ordinary people who must learn how to overcome personal challenges and live with the consequences of their choices.
It’s a book about vulnerable people who must learn how to fit in and find their place in the world.
It’s a book about hurting people who must learn how to move past rejection and embrace people who truly love and care about them.
It’s a book about strong people who have the courage and conviction to do what is right, even when those choices are hard to make.
It’s a book that has something for everyone.
Finding Zoe is the story of Brandi Rarus – a woman who lost her hearing at age 6 when she contracted spinal meningitis. Her life trajectory could have taken a turn for ordinary – or worse – at an early age, but it didn’t. She was fortunate.
Although she often found herself caught between two worlds – the world of the deaf and of the hearing – she found the courage to pursue her own path. She became Miss Deaf America 1988 – served as a spokesperson for the deaf community – and went on to marry and have three non-deaf sons.
But – Brandi could not help but feel a sense of incompleteness in her life.
It’s also the story of Jess – a young woman who is swept off her feet by someone she doesn’t really know and – after one intimate encounter – finds herself having to make some difficult choices about her future and the child she is now carrying inside of her.
And, it’s the story of the men in Brandi and Jess’s lives – their families – and Jess’s child.
If you are looking for an inspiring story – and particularly, if one of the themes in this book speaks to your heart – by all means, read this book!
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Finding Zoe – Book Trailer
About Brandi Rarus
Deaf since age six after contracting spinal meningitis, Brandi Rarus could speak and read lips, but felt caught between the deaf and hearing world—fitting into neither. When she realized you don’t need to hear to live a fulfilled life, she became empowered and was chosen as Miss Deaf America. From signing the National Anthem at a Chicago Cubs game to speaking at corporate conferences, Brandi traveled the country speaking out for deaf children and building awareness of what it means to be Deaf.
Brandi married Tim Rarus, an advocate for Deaf people whose work inspired the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Together, they have paved the way to bring new technologies that promote equal access in communication. Brandi and Tim live in Austin, Texas, with their four children: three hearing boys and the youngest, Zoe, a Deaf girl they adopted.
Today, Brandi and her family are tirelessly dedicated to ensuring all children find their rightful place in our world.
Finding Zoe Book Tour
Create With Joy is delighted to be a part of the Finding Zoe Book Tour, which is hosted by Pump Up Your Book!
The Finding Zoe Book Tour runs from October 6 through October 17, 2014. Please visit the Finding Zoe Book Tour Page to learn more about this book – to see what others are saying in their reviews – and to read the author’s guest posts and interviews!
Resources
For More Information
- Visit Brandi’s Website.
- Connect with Brandi on Facebook and Twitter.
- Finding Zoe is available on Amazon.
For More Great Books
- Visit Create With Joy – Book Reviews.
- Follow Create With Joy on GoodReads.
Stay In Touch!
Follow Create With Joy On:
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Pump Up Your Book for review purposes. I was not compensated or required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Copyright © 2014 by Create With Joy. All Rights Reserved.
If you see this content posted elsewhere, please contact the site owner.
Thank you for helping to prevent content theft!
Thanks for the wonderful review,this sounds like a book I would enjoy.
Thanks Kathy – Finding Zoe is a very special book!
I think I’d enjoy reading this!