Safe Return Doubtful

This takes the form of a disturbing memoir, veering towards auto-fiction, and can only loosely be described as horror.
Interestingly, it is written by a deaf author, and concerns a deaf protagonist who narrates much of the book.

For various reasons, it is not an easy book to read; not least, because it has a non-linear timeline, but also because it deals with subjects such as physical, sexual and mental abuse, extreme violence, homophobia, and dated attitudes towards ableism. Indeed, Pottle dealing with these elements show the power of his writing. It is a necessary piece of work.

Set in the 1970s and 80s, the young narrator is unable to express himself or even understand some of the things he experiences, from his days in a school classroom, to an institution that is there supposedly to help him. Only violence resonates. For a lot of the time, he is terrified, and runs away.
There are moments of respite however. As he learns to sign at one institution Pottle’s writing effuses relief and happiness.

I guess that it may fit into the horror genre for some readers as it indicates that the worst monsters encountered in life are often human.

It may be an uncomfortable read, but there is no doubt that it is a vital one, and that debut author Adam Pottle deserves lots of credit, and interest as to what he might come up with next.

My GoodReads score 3 / 5