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Deaf Utopia
Deaf Utopia: A Memoirand a Love Letter to a Way of Life | Nyle DiMarco, Robert Siebert
16 posts | 11 read | 21 to read
A heartfelt and inspiring memoir and celebration of Deaf culture by Nyle DiMarco, actor, producer, two-time reality show winner, and cultural icon of the international Deaf community Before becoming the actor, producer, advocate, and model that people know today, Nyle DiMarco was half of a pair of Deaf twins born to a multi-generational Deaf family in Queens, New York. At the hospital one day after he was born, Nyle failed his first testa hearing testto the joy and excitement of his parents. In this engrossing memoir, Nyle shares stories, both heartbreaking and humorous, of what it means to navigate a world built for hearing people. From growing up in a rough-and-tumble childhood in Queens with his big and loving Italian-American family to where he is now, Nyle has always been driven to explore beyond the boundaries given him. A college math major and athlete at Gallaudetthe famed university for the Deaf in Washington, DCNyle was drawn as a young man to acting, and dove headfirst into the reality show competitions Americas Next Top Model and Dancing with the Starsultimately winning both competitions. Deaf Utopia is more than a memoir, it is a cultural anthema proud and defiant song of Deaf culture and a love letter to American Sign Language, Nyles primary language. Through his stories and those of his Deaf brothers, parents, and grandparents, Nyle opens many windows into the Deaf experience. Deaf Utopia is intimate, suspenseful, hilarious, eye-opening, and smartboth a memoir and a celebration of what makes Deaf culture unique and beautiful.
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Mrs_B
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Thank you so much to @Megabooks for this recommendation.

My journey to learn more about deaf culture continues and this was an excellent addition. I was horrified by the stories of how difficult it was to find early education in an accessible language. I definitely have more insight into the challenges deaf people face and how difficult it is to advocate for access.

If anyone knows of any other books around deaf culture please let me know!

Megabooks So glad you liked it! 4d
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Cinfhen
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It‘s clear that the real SUPER STAR in this memoir is Nyle‘s mom and it‘s clear Nyle is her number one fan. Nyle calls this memoir a “love letter to a way of life” and that‘s truly what this was. Nyle shares his experiences within the Deaf Community and his love for ASL and those who advocate for it‘s usage. I did go #DownTheRabbitHole and watched a ton of DWTS videos. Pretty amazing how Nyle was able to feel the music and dance so gracefully 😍

Cinfhen It was interesting @MallenNC to hear both Nyle‘s & Jennifer‘s DWTS experience!!! I‘m enjoying your list!! I have 4 more to go but im not sure I‘ll get to them this month. I plan on reading the rest during the year! 1y
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Cinfhen #NonFictionChallenge23 #AllAboutTheBase @Riveted_Reader_Melissa it‘s the way Nyle and many others in the Deaf Community hear music and are able to keep/ dance to the rhythm/ through the vibrations 😄 1y
MallenNC @Cinfhen It was a coincidence that I read those two close together. I had actually forgotten about Jennifer doing the show. I am going to be reading from your list beyond January also. I got sidetracked this week by Prince Harry! 1y
KarenUK The photo shoot he did with his mother on America‘s next top model was so beautiful. The lens captured their beautiful bond so well…. 1y
Cinfhen I saw that too @KarenUK when I checked out his #ANTM cycle photos 🥰 1y
Cinfhen @MallenNC I got sidetracked by Prince Harry too 🥰🥰🥰 1y
squirrelbrain I don‘t know Nyle but would love to read this. A deaf actor (Rose Ayling-Ellis)won Strictly in the UK last year - her Couples Choice dance was amazing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QejOzrlovTQ 1y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Cinfhen that‘s a wonderful pick for that! I love it… and stacking this book too 1y
Librarybelle Great review! 1y
Cinfhen I just watched the clip @squirrelbrain - she‘s lovely Do you remember Marlee Matlin, the deaf actress who won an Academy Award , she was on DWTS too. A long time ago. 1y
Cinfhen If you read True Biz this is a good companion piece @Librarybelle @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @squirrelbrain 1y
squirrelbrain I think Rose spoke to Marlee during her Strictly journey. I remember a few Littens speaking about Nyle when we read True Biz, which was the first time I‘d heard of him. 1y
vlwelser Not that you need another rabbit hole, but he was lovely on America's Next Top Model. 1y
Cinfhen I did google him on ANTM and saw some photos but I‘m almost inclined to bingewatch the entire season @vlwelser 😅 1y
vlwelser I always liked that show so I might be biased, but I think you'd be entertained at the very least. 1y
KathyWheeler I rarely watch ANTM, but for some reason I watched the cycle he was on. I loved him on it, and read this memoir last year. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. 1y
Cinfhen ANTM is one of those addictive shows @KathyWheeler @vlwelser im just not sure I want to open that Pandora‘s box!!!! 1y
Megabooks So glad you enjoyed this too!! I read it back to crack with True Biz and that was great! 1y
Cinfhen It‘s not my favorite memoir @Megabooks but it was cool to learn from an own voice ASL speaker & the irony isn‘t lost on me that I chose audio 🤦🏼‍♀️ 1y
Cinfhen I thought it was interesting that Nyle considers this book translated from ASL @Megabooks 1y
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Cinfhen
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Im not at all familiar with Nyle but @MallenNC #ALspine picks haven‘t let me down yet!! Im engaged so far with Nyle‘s story.

MallenNC I watched him on Dancing with the Stars but I read his book because another reader I trust recommended it and she didn‘t follow his career at all. I hope you enjoy! 1y
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Cortg
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Nyle won America‘s Top Model & Dancing with the Stars but I don‘t watch either so I had no idea who he is. I supervise a deaf page at work and I loved the insight into the deaf community. Living near Maryland School for the Deaf and not too far from Gallaudet Univ. where Nyle went to school, I have a large deaf community locally and learned a lot through the info he shared and the delightful tales from his youth. A really great read!

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MallenNC
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I really enjoyed this memoir! It paired well with True Biz because DiMarco weaves in lessons on Deaf history and culture in a similar way to that novel. I watched him on Dancing With the Stars, so reliving that season was fun too.

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LiteraryinLawrence
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I actually didn‘t know of Nyle from his reality show appearances or modeling, so I just picked this one up looking for more writing about Deaf culture. It was solid and provided a combination of personal stories and Deaf history. I wouldn‘t have wanted it to be much longer, but then again he‘s only in his 20‘s so how long could his memoir be? 😋

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Zuhkeeyah
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I stumbled on this memoir after reading True Biz. Nyle DiMarco is the first deaf contestant and winner of ANTM (season 22). Within a year of that victory, he went on to win DWTS. In his memoir, Nyle talks about the challenges of both experiences while reminiscing about growing up deaf in a world shaped for the hearing. He speaks proudly of his 4th generation deaf legacy and how his mother always championed him in an outdated deaf schooling system.

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WJCintron
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Already in love with it!
This is beautiful & I think it can be applied to everyone.
We are all diverse in our own way.
Embrace it, be proud & share who you are with the world!

#embracewhoyouare #beproud #shareyourstory #diversity #pride #appreciatewhoyouare #identity #youmatter #deaf #deafcommunity #bookrecommendations #readerscommunity #booktok #readersofinstagram #nyledimarco #antmwinner #memoir #deafutopia #deafutopiabook

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WJCintron
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Reading Deaf Utopia by @nyledimarco , Robert Siebert.

Currently reading this book!

I've always respected and LOVED the Deaf community. I've been following his journey since he won America's Next Top Model in season 22/2015. He was AMAZING!!!

I know I'll devour it!!

#deaf #deafcommunity #bookrecommendations #readerscommunity #booktok #readersofinstagram #nyledimarco #antmwinner #memoir #deafutopia #deafutopiabook #author #currentlyreading

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MaggieCarr
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I usually scoff at people my age writing biographies and memoirs but in this case I won't and in a decade or so I expect a second installment and more within Nyle's lifetime. I just want to hug his mom and channel her gumption, motivation for equality, and endless love and commitment. It's not simply up to the academic setting to teach and equipment fundamentals, in any language, but also heavily falls on parents and it is so...

MaggieCarr ...very clear how Nyle and their family all unite and are bonded so well to move cross-country as a unit multiple times. 2y
WJCintron I need to read this!! He is AMAZING!! LOVE him!!!! 2y
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Bookfan3
Pickpick

Excellent insight into Nyle‘s life growing up Deaf

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ValerieAndBooks
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When people ask me what it‘s like being Deaf, I try to say it‘s much more than just degrees of hearing loss, but being part of Deaf culture & dealing with audism by the non-deaf (such as language deprivation due to the emphasis of oral methods) . Nyle covers all this very well but stays positive. He also covers his sexuality & how it‘s perceived within Deaf culture. I recommend this book —he also reminds us that Deaf people are not a monolith. 👇

ValerieAndBooks The quilt wall hanging shown here is one I made in 2004 for a Deaf Quilt Show. The yellow indicates vibrancy within ASL and Deaf culture. 2y
DivineDiana I love your quilt wall hanging! You are very talented! Will definitely read this book. ❤️ 2y
RebL Quilt is gorgeous 😍 And the book is on my TBR. I‘ve been HOH all my life, but don‘t know much about the deaf culture. Just learned the term “deaf gain.” I never “lost” my hearing, so the idea of deaf gain tickles my funny bone. 2y
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Leftcoastzen So beautiful! 2y
LeahBergen What a gorgeous quilt, Valerie! 2y
EvieBee Great review and absolutely beautiful quilt! 😍😍 2y
Suet624 How beautiful! 2y
Jas16 Such a gorgeous quilt! 2y
rwmg Wishlisted 2y
Megabooks Fantastic review! I‘m really glad to have read your reviews and comments on both this and True Biz this spring. 💜 2y
Anna40 I attended a presentation by a sign language interpreter. She talked about sign language poetry and showed some examples and made us aware of challenges in our society. 2y
ValerieAndBooks @DivineDiana thank you 😊, and I'm sure you'll enjoy this memoir.
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ValerieAndBooks @RebL thanks for the compliment on the quilt! I hesitated to use “hearing loss“, but did anyways because it's a far more familiar term than “deaf gain“ which would require explaining 😊 . I definitely avoid using “hearing impaired“. I have been deaf since birth btw. I'm sure you'll enjoy the book. 2y
ValerieAndBooks @Leftcoastzen thank you 😊 (edited) 2y
ValerieAndBooks @LeahBergen @suet624 @eviebee @jas16 thank you all! So sorry I'm late with my responses. Had to catch up on a lot of stuff at home after being away for two weeks -- the weeds formed a jungle here, for instance 😜 . One of these days soon I hope to get back into a good Litsy routine. 2y
ValerieAndBooks @rwmg I hope you enjoy it. A lot more substance than might be assumed from celebrity memoirs.
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ValerieAndBooks @Megabooks And those two were the ones I enjoyed the most so far this year (not that I've gotten much reading done this year 😊) . I appreciated your thoughts as well. 2y
ValerieAndBooks @Anna40 I'm glad the presentation was informative and that you attended it. Yes, there's a lot of facets to Deaf culture and to deafness itself. 2y
Nute Thank you, Valerie for sharing your review of this book and your quilt work. Both are lovely. Thank you for sharing a bit of your personal story. I will remember this quilt and that the color yellow indicates vibrancy with ASL and the Deaf Culture.💛 2y
ValerieAndBooks @Nute thank you for your kind words ☺️! I do want to clarify that yellow isn‘t an official color association for deaf culture— just a color I chose for this quilt because yellow itself is so vibrant 💛. If you haven‘t already seen another deaf culture quilt I previously made, it‘s in my review of 2y
ValerieAndBooks @nute actually this is the correct tag for the book where you‘d find my review. Apparently the other tag has the author‘s last name misspelled. 2y
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KathyWheeler
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@Megabooks posted about this book, and I was intrigued. I don‘t always watch America‘s Next Top Model, but I happened to catch his season and loved him. This memoir is lovely. DiMarco shows a lot about the hurdles the Deaf community faces, but he does so in an way that, while upbeat, never diminishes the seriousness. He also discusses his sexuality and frames it within the Deaf community. His discussion of ASL as a primary language was good.

Megabooks Fantastic review!! This was an excellent memoir for sure. 2y
KathyWheeler @Megabooks Thanks. I‘m glad you mentioned it as I wasn‘t aware of it. 2y
20 likes2 comments
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Megabooks
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What a fun and uplifting memoir! Nyle is a proud 4th-generation Deaf person, and his self-confidence is infectious. He admits he gets it from being raised in the Deaf community with ASL as his first language. He shared stories about his childhood and time in Deaf vs mainstream schools. He related fun stories from Gallaudet before writing about his wins on ANTM & DWTS. He shared a bit about his sexuality, too. A must-read if you loved True Biz! ⬇️

Megabooks ⬆️ I will admit it was weird reading an audiobook written by a Deaf person, but the audio production was well done, and at no time did I “forget” his deafness. (edited) 2y
vlwelser I love him. I'll have to check this out. 2y
KathyWheeler I actually watched his season of ANTM and was pulling for him the whole time. I loved his personality, plus he‘s quite good looking. 2y
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Cinfhen Since I haven‘t read True Biz yet and I have no clue who this handsome man is, I‘m going to wait before I pick up the audio from #Scribd / thanks for the wonderful review 💜 2y
Megabooks @vlwelser I didn‘t know him at all, so I was really excited to find him. It sounds like he was amazing on ANTM @KathyWheeler I haven‘t watched the show in years, but I‘m tempted to see if I can find that cycle on streaming. 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen you don‘t have to know him (I didn‘t) or have read True Biz to enjoy this. They are completely separate books about the Deaf community. I do think you‘d enjoy this when you are in the mood for something uplifting/funny. It set the bar high for celebrity memoirs this year! 2y
Cinfhen Ok!! I‘ll definitely check it out!! Just saw your email ☹️will write later ♥️ 2y
ValerieAndBooks It wasn‘t always fun reading though! I was in tears sometimes because I know exactly what Nyle was talking about when he was talking about the hurdles and barriers we often face. 2y
Megabooks @ValerieAndBooks very true! I stand corrected. I guess I wanted to put a wedge between this and a disability memoir that is really sad/morose/woe is me. This felt more like a celebrity memoir with a lot substance to me. 2y
ValerieAndBooks @Megabooks I think Nyle balanced everything out very well. He‘s very upbeat overall which I like, but without discounting or downplaying the issues that come up in the Deaf community. 2y
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ValerieAndBooks
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Reading this while I‘m on my layover in Austin 😂

BkClubCare Great. Now I have to find out what happened! Did the Principal suspend him for his mohawk?! 2y
ValerieAndBooks @BkClubCare yes the principal did 😂 but not for that long! 2y
ValerieAndBooks @BkClubCare I hope you still pick this book up at some point…it‘s good! 2y
50 likes4 comments
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ValerieAndBooks
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My airport/airplane read! Visiting family for the next couple weeks. I‘m not normally a celebrity memoir type, but will make an exception for Nyle 🤟 !

DivineDiana Have a great trip! The book sounds wonderful! 2y
Suet624 Have a wonderful time! Now I‘m off to investigate who this guy is. 2y
Megabooks Enjoy! I felt weird reading this as an audiobook, but I enjoyed it. Looking forward to your review. 💜 2y
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ValerieAndBooks @DivineDiana I‘m almost done already— loving it! Hope you read it. 2y
ValerieAndBooks @Suet624 I think you‘d enjoy this! Much deeper than what one might expect a celebrity memoir to be. A lot about Deaf culture, etc. 2y
ValerieAndBooks @Megabooks the print version of Deaf Utopia doesn‘t have visuals like True Biz does (other than photos). I‘m almost done already with this —devouring it! 2y
54 likes6 comments