I listened to the audio book which was excellent. However, if you are reading the book, please read the end of the book where Ms. Simon explains where she got the idea for this book. It is a story that spans for decades. Lynnie is a special needs child back in the day when people were encouraged to send such children to institutions. And that is what happened to her. It is a terrible place to live. The one shining spot is when she meets an African American deaf man, Homan, and they fall in love. The book opens in 1968. Homan and Lynnie have run away and during a rainstorm land on the front porch of Martha - widow and retired schoolteacher. She brings the couple into the house and realizes that Lynnie has a newborn baby. Martha sends them upstairs to change into dry clothes. The authorities from the "School" are banging on Martha's door and she has no choice but to let them in. Homan is able to escape but Lynnie is caught. The authorities have no idea that there is a baby lying upstairs. As Lynnie is taken away she is able to communicate two words to Martha - Hide her. It was a fascinating story - but also heart-wrenching to know that people were living in such conditions. Read or listen to it - I don't think you will be disappointed.
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