Deaf Utopia

A Memoir—And a Love Letter to a Way of Life

By: Nyle DiMarco, Robert Siebert

Narrated by: Dan Bittner

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

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 test—a hearing test—to 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 Gallaudet—the famed university for the Deaf in Washington, DC—Nyle was drawn as a young man to acting, and dove headfirst into the reality show competitions America’s Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars—ultimately winning both competitions.

Deaf Utopia is more than a memoir, it is a cultural anthem—a proud and defiant song of Deaf culture and a love letter to American Sign Language, Nyle’s 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 smart—both a memoir and a celebration of what makes Deaf culture unique and beautiful.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 William Morrow (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

good read!

loved it. inspiring story. learning about a new culture.
kind of an abrupt ending but it didn't bother me that much. keeps me wanting to know more.

Perspective

I listened to this book as part of a year long self development path. There is no disputing this book will give you a perspective on the deaf community that is long over due. I’ve been enriched as a person from learning about the deaf culture, community and amazing Moms, Dads, Brothers, Sisters, Friends, and Families spoken of in this book. Nyle, thank you for a fresh dose of perspective. I will carry it with me for all cultures and communities I encounter.

WOW

Thanks for bringing the Deaf community into the forefront. The perspective and awareness of the history and current issues facing the Deaf communities are nicely intertwined.

Fantastic

This story is told and narrated with such passion! The history of deaf people and deaf education was/is painful. Not unexpected, sadly, as mainstream is typically very hard on “ other.” The author’s love of his community and his deaf world is uplifting and encouraging to everyone.

For Educators!

What a celebrative and nuanced story of being deaf! I was especially impressed by his open and enthusiastic discussion of how to educate deaf children, the challenges we face as educators teaching them, and the strengths deaf children and their families bring to the process. His straightforward description of the history of how misconceptions and prejudice have impacted deaf education in America is tragic and humbling. His strength as a role model is inspiring! So much to learn!

ASL is more important as a curriculum than foreign languages in American schools

I am a hearing person but I strongly believe that ASL (taught by Deaf teachers) should be available in all schools across the USA and given at least as much weight as foreign languages (Spanish, Chinese, German, etc). Many of us will be hard of hearing by the time we are old and, aside from being able to communicate with Deaf individuals, those of us dealing with hearing loss will retain more ability to communicate. To me it’s a no-brainer. Let’s integrate, include & widen our field of communication!

100% would recommend!

I really enjoyed this book! The history and lived experiences of deaf culture were so informative. I appreciated the way that ASL is used grammatically being portrayed In the book. The reader was also great.

History and Autobiography

A great, instructional autobiography that felt complete with a flowing narrative of his life. The history of deaf people should not be looked over.

exceptional book

This book resonated with me in so many ways and constantly was uplifting. I felt like the author's story was being told to me, for me. thank you for writing this book <3

A bit disappointing...

I was excited to find this book, but ended up struggling to finish it.