Portrayals of Disabled Characters

Use this forum to discuss the April 2019 Book of the month, "Adrift" by Charlie Sheldon
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HRichards
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Re: Portrayals of Disabled Characters

Post by HRichards »

It's nice seeing disabled people being shown just naturally in a book. So often that's either something not added to books, or is some sort of huge plot point, not just a general part of life that some people are disabled.
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danielleamy
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Post by danielleamy »

Kajori50 wrote: 01 May 2019, 14:18 I agree. A diverse novel always seems to be more realistic. Also, the way the disabled characters were portrayed was commendable. None of them let their disability conquer their lives
Yes definitely! You make a good point about it being more realistic. I'd like to see more authors trying to achieve diversity when it comes to their characters
All the reading she had done had given her a view of life that they had never seen - Matilda, Roald Dahl
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Post by allbooked+ »

I really liked seeing the diversity throughout this novel. There were characters of all strengths, weaknesses, physical limitations and mental limitations as well. Just like you would see anywhere.
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Post by colorsparkle »

I love when authors have characters that reflect what the world is actually like!
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Post by KDJ »

I think how differently-abled people were portrayed in Adrift was accurate. Jimmie, although unable to be completely self-sufficient, had a good attitude for his circumstances. Even Pete was not completely self-pitying. They both showed instances of depression (but that is to be expected) but also optimism for the future that is sometimes rare amongst people. I believe Adrift showed the similarities to differently abled persons and those without disabilities. It was written in a way that did not elicit pity from the reader, which made it a great read to me. :D :D :D
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Post by Kishor Rao »

May it be Steve or Larry the book did an amazing job portraying crippled characters and their emotions
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Post by Azrevread »

The author provided a realistic view of persons with varying levels of disability. Pete is admirable as the
single father with a knee injury who works as a guard so he can hold on to custody of his son. Steve's son,
Jimmy struggles to live in an expensive rehabilitation center and create a career for himself. Both
characters have a good attitude most of the time and that's impressive.
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Post by amjohnson13mommy »

I have Multiple Sclerosis so I understand what it's like to live with a disability. Because of this, at least partly, I have a great respect for those who find the best ways to prevail and not hold them back!
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Post by OskaWrites »

I think Heather really stuck with me, but for a number of different reasons. I think she was just a brilliant character.
I think it's reasonable and believable to have disabled people in a story like this, people have accidents in these types of jobs.
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Post by Wriley »

People can do much more than they even expect in the right circumstances. Tom Olsen was motivated to save his friend despite the limp.
Logic will get you from A to Z
But Imagination will get you
EVERYWHERE

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Post by Jlbaird85 »

I love when characters with disabilities are portrayed as being able to overcome them. Too often, I read stories where they are stigmatized and stereotyped, not able to live to their full potential. It is refreshing to see an author write about how these characters were able to rise above their difficulties!
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts

Shakespeare-As You Like It Act II, Scene VII
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Post by ayomie »

It made the story a lot more realistic. There's no perfection in the real world and there's no one with absolutely excellent health.
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Post by Niski »

I honestly didn't pick up on it until you pointed it out here! And now that I think on it, they were some really great characters. I love that the author made them strong people, too.
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Post by Uinto »

I enjoyed the diversity in the novel as well.The one character that resonated with me the most was Pete, mainly because of the extend he goes in keeping a job in order to take care of his son despite his wound.
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Post by Tiffanyli »

I loved the variety and range of disabled characters there were in the story. I find it so rare for books to really use disabled characters, and when they do, their disability is usually the main focus of the book. It's so moving to read stories about them going about, determined; living better, more motivated lives than regular people at some points. The wide range of different characters with different disabilities really made the story more realistic, seeing characters go through physical hardship as well as mental ones.
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