THE SOUND OF YOU

An Irish teen navigates the weeks after his grandfather’s death while forming an unexpected bond with a deaf South Korean boy in Doyle’s YA novel.

For 16-year-old Owen, the world becomes muffled and remote as his family navigates the aftermath of his artist grandfather’s recent death (“not speaking was easier than stuffing the void with emptiness”). Enter Jun-Ho, a deaf South Korean teenager whom Owen accidentally spills water on while painting in the park. Though their first encounter is less than picturesque, the next time they meet, Jun-Ho asks Owen to draw him. What follows is a slow blossoming of love, connection, and a respite from the all-consuming sadness that has seeped into Owen’s world. Melancholy clings to the narrative like a mist, especially in the early chapters, which are particularly affecting. Owen’s grief makes him hold everything a distance, but Jun-Ho breaks through his self-imposed isolation with ease. (After their second meeting, Own takes ISL classes at the community center to be able to talk to him.) The depiction of their romance sometimes falters—their instant connection is framed as magnetic, but it feels at times more constructed than lived-in. By contrast, Owen’s bond with his best friend, Ryan, hums with authenticity and natural rhythm. The narrative builds upon multiple relationships, serving as a broader meditation on various forms of love and connection—familial, platonic, romantic, communal—and the fragile ways they sustain us. The cast of supporting characters pulse with life and intention, offering texture and contrast. This is a thorough exploration of how, through different types of art and communication, the distance that grief oftentimes creates can be bridged. The pacing is deft; Doyle avoids lingering overlong on Owen’s sadness and rushing through his recovery. Moments of isolation, uncertainty, and quiet connection are given equal space. What emerges is a steady, emotionally grounded story that resonates without feeling forced.

A thoughtful LGBTQ+ YA novel exploring grief, identity, and love with honesty and care.