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Unseen: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice
From social media star and change-maker Molly Burke, a vulnerable, honest, and darkly humorous memoir on navigating the challenges of being a blind woman in a sighted world
When Molly Burke was four years old, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative eye disease that leads to eventual blindness, forcing her to see the world through new eyes—literally. Growing up disabled didn’t stop her from playing sports, becoming a rock-climbing instructor, or winning a beauty pageant, but other people’s narrow perceptions of her held her back.
Years of relentless bullying, toxic work environments, a rodent-infested apartment, and life’s lowest moments were juxtaposed with red carpets, first-class flights, and personal and professional achievements. Throughout her life, Molly has learned to appreciate the duality, and, most importantly, she’s learned the beauty of being unapologetically yourself and standing up for what you truly believe in.
In Unseen, Molly chronicles her journey as a disabled woman, entrepreneur, and entertainer, illuminating what her experiences have taught her and what she hopes others can learn from her hardship and successes. Part memoir, part rallying cry for a more compassionate and empathetic world, Unseen recounts Molly’s life and experiences fighting against the expectations society set for her and, in doing so, helps readers find their own voice, inner strength, and self-acceptance.
When Molly Burke was four years old, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative eye disease that leads to eventual blindness, forcing her to see the world through new eyes—literally. Growing up disabled didn’t stop her from playing sports, becoming a rock-climbing instructor, or winning a beauty pageant, but other people’s narrow perceptions of her held her back.
Years of relentless bullying, toxic work environments, a rodent-infested apartment, and life’s lowest moments were juxtaposed with red carpets, first-class flights, and personal and professional achievements. Throughout her life, Molly has learned to appreciate the duality, and, most importantly, she’s learned the beauty of being unapologetically yourself and standing up for what you truly believe in.
In Unseen, Molly chronicles her journey as a disabled woman, entrepreneur, and entertainer, illuminating what her experiences have taught her and what she hopes others can learn from her hardship and successes. Part memoir, part rallying cry for a more compassionate and empathetic world, Unseen recounts Molly’s life and experiences fighting against the expectations society set for her and, in doing so, helps readers find their own voice, inner strength, and self-acceptance.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2025
200 people are currently reading
6688 people want to read
About the author
Molly Burke
7 books90 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
September 13, 2025
I usually stick to fiction, but every so often a nonfiction book pulls me in—and Unseen by Molly Burke was one of those times. I first heard Molly speak at a conference, and her words stayed with me long after the applause. So I grabbed her book, and I’m glad I did.
Unseen isn’t a tidy “rags-to-riches” story. It’s messy, raw, and sometimes heartbreaking. Molly shares the full spectrum of her life—years of relentless bullying, toxic workplaces, and even rodent-infested apartments—alongside red carpets, first-class flights, and personal achievements. Through it all, she never hides the frustration, anger, or despair that came with living in a world that wasn’t built for her. And that honesty hits differently; it’s the kind of memoir that makes you feel the tension in her life, not just read about it.
But it’s also funny. Full of personality. Molly’s voice leaps off the page in a way that makes the memoir feel alive rather than a checklist of events. She has a knack for balancing the weight of her experiences with wit and charm, which keeps you turning pages even through the heavier moments. And beyond the humor, the book is genuinely educational. Even someone like me, who works in the disability advocacy space, found new ways to frame and think about the challenges people face every day—lessons that just this week I leveraged in meetings on Capitol Hill and beyond.
Molly is unflinching about claiming her voice. Unseen isn’t about pity or sugarcoating adversity—it’s about navigating a world that often refuses to make room for you and figuring out how to stand tall anyway. You walk away with a sense of clarity about what it takes to be unapologetically yourself, and maybe a few lines you’ll want to quote to anyone who underestimates the power of lived experience. In some ways, Molly's experience is in line with Viktor Frankl's sentiment from Man's Search for Meaning that between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is the power to choose a response. And, in the response lies growth and freedom. Molly's life has been about claiming that space and maximizing it not only for her growth, but for the growth of all around her. There is still much to do, but we are all better off because of Molly.
If you want a memoir that’s funny, raw, informative, and impossible to put down, Unseen is worth it. Molly Burke writes like she speaks—bold, candid, and unforgettable.
Unseen isn’t a tidy “rags-to-riches” story. It’s messy, raw, and sometimes heartbreaking. Molly shares the full spectrum of her life—years of relentless bullying, toxic workplaces, and even rodent-infested apartments—alongside red carpets, first-class flights, and personal achievements. Through it all, she never hides the frustration, anger, or despair that came with living in a world that wasn’t built for her. And that honesty hits differently; it’s the kind of memoir that makes you feel the tension in her life, not just read about it.
But it’s also funny. Full of personality. Molly’s voice leaps off the page in a way that makes the memoir feel alive rather than a checklist of events. She has a knack for balancing the weight of her experiences with wit and charm, which keeps you turning pages even through the heavier moments. And beyond the humor, the book is genuinely educational. Even someone like me, who works in the disability advocacy space, found new ways to frame and think about the challenges people face every day—lessons that just this week I leveraged in meetings on Capitol Hill and beyond.
Molly is unflinching about claiming her voice. Unseen isn’t about pity or sugarcoating adversity—it’s about navigating a world that often refuses to make room for you and figuring out how to stand tall anyway. You walk away with a sense of clarity about what it takes to be unapologetically yourself, and maybe a few lines you’ll want to quote to anyone who underestimates the power of lived experience. In some ways, Molly's experience is in line with Viktor Frankl's sentiment from Man's Search for Meaning that between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is the power to choose a response. And, in the response lies growth and freedom. Molly's life has been about claiming that space and maximizing it not only for her growth, but for the growth of all around her. There is still much to do, but we are all better off because of Molly.
If you want a memoir that’s funny, raw, informative, and impossible to put down, Unseen is worth it. Molly Burke writes like she speaks—bold, candid, and unforgettable.
October 24, 2025
Audiobook (7 hours) narrated by the author, Molly Burke.
Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
The narration is by the author, Molly Burke, and is excellent.
Unfortunately, goodreads has several Molly Burke's mixed together on one page; it is noted at the top of the page; so there isn't a synopsis for anyone interested in the author. Fortunately, as a social media influencer/personality, it's easy to jump onto her IG or YT and get a feel of who she is:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mollyburkeo...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwf9...
The audio is, as you would expect, given how much time and energy Molly put into making her book accessible to a variety of individuals, flawless.
I want to add that when this book dropped, it was immediately available in print form at at least one of my libraries, right now with a wait of several months. I kept looking and waiting for the audiobook to pop up. I tagged my libraries (I use 3 on Libby, one that I pay for, my local, and my state library). Finally I complained to a friend of mine about how they could have several copies of the print version of Unseen, written by someone who is actually blind about her experiences and not have the audiobook version! While Molly did add the title in braille, as well as a font to make it easier to read for people with vision issues, that still leaves out a whole lot of people, including myself, like seriously? And then, the next day, as if someone was listening in, I finally got the notification that they had picked up close to 75 copies of the audiobook, yas! I snagged that so fast, and devoured it in a day.
Finally, after my venting, my review:
Molly has her own unique style and personality when telling a story. She has been sharing about her life for years, since she was a small child. As such, this memoir is her in book form. She is sharing her story, as if she was speaking with a friend, family member, or acquaintance. She shares a good deal of what she feels is important in her life, what she thinks people will want to hear, what she personally struggled with, as well as what she feels will be helpful to others.
As someone who is disabled, but not blind, I can appreciate and even have shared some of the issues that she has had as she speaks of how she has been treated, simply for having a disability. Unfortunately, there is a shared stigma in the disability community, where regardless of our actual disability some people see and react to the difference the same way. While there isn't anything new or profound in Molly's experiences, they are hers and she is extremely open and raw about them.
Molly is 31. As such, her life to date has been becoming independent, and chasing her dream. Yes, she is a social media influencer, so a lot of her experiences are based on her dreams, her plans, what she did, what happened, and her results to date.
I feel that anyone who is blind or otherwise disabled will feel some sort of way about her experiences and reflections on growing up with a disability. I loved that while Molly shows a lot of strength and grace, she also is not afraid so be vulnerable, and share when she needs/needed help and assistance. Sometimes sharing our low points helps others with their own struggles. As I understand it, some have negative things to say about some of the things that Molly has admitted to needing help with. What a huge and scary thing to know going in that sharing some of these things in such a big way could have some really negative results, but being true to your story anyway, for yourself and for anyone out there who needs to hear it. Molly's advocacy runs through the entirety of the book in all sorts of ways and is one of the things that those who know or those who have empathy will understand and/or perhaps learn from.
Others who may enjoy this book include those who are or are interested in social media influencers/influencing, whether you are curious or are interested in it as a hobby or career, as well as those who may be trying to do something new or different in their lives and are looking for a little inspiration.
Happy reading!
Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
The narration is by the author, Molly Burke, and is excellent.
Unfortunately, goodreads has several Molly Burke's mixed together on one page; it is noted at the top of the page; so there isn't a synopsis for anyone interested in the author. Fortunately, as a social media influencer/personality, it's easy to jump onto her IG or YT and get a feel of who she is:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mollyburkeo...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwf9...
The audio is, as you would expect, given how much time and energy Molly put into making her book accessible to a variety of individuals, flawless.
I want to add that when this book dropped, it was immediately available in print form at at least one of my libraries, right now with a wait of several months. I kept looking and waiting for the audiobook to pop up. I tagged my libraries (I use 3 on Libby, one that I pay for, my local, and my state library). Finally I complained to a friend of mine about how they could have several copies of the print version of Unseen, written by someone who is actually blind about her experiences and not have the audiobook version! While Molly did add the title in braille, as well as a font to make it easier to read for people with vision issues, that still leaves out a whole lot of people, including myself, like seriously? And then, the next day, as if someone was listening in, I finally got the notification that they had picked up close to 75 copies of the audiobook, yas! I snagged that so fast, and devoured it in a day.
Finally, after my venting, my review:
Molly has her own unique style and personality when telling a story. She has been sharing about her life for years, since she was a small child. As such, this memoir is her in book form. She is sharing her story, as if she was speaking with a friend, family member, or acquaintance. She shares a good deal of what she feels is important in her life, what she thinks people will want to hear, what she personally struggled with, as well as what she feels will be helpful to others.
As someone who is disabled, but not blind, I can appreciate and even have shared some of the issues that she has had as she speaks of how she has been treated, simply for having a disability. Unfortunately, there is a shared stigma in the disability community, where regardless of our actual disability some people see and react to the difference the same way. While there isn't anything new or profound in Molly's experiences, they are hers and she is extremely open and raw about them.
Molly is 31. As such, her life to date has been becoming independent, and chasing her dream. Yes, she is a social media influencer, so a lot of her experiences are based on her dreams, her plans, what she did, what happened, and her results to date.
I feel that anyone who is blind or otherwise disabled will feel some sort of way about her experiences and reflections on growing up with a disability. I loved that while Molly shows a lot of strength and grace, she also is not afraid so be vulnerable, and share when she needs/needed help and assistance. Sometimes sharing our low points helps others with their own struggles. As I understand it, some have negative things to say about some of the things that Molly has admitted to needing help with. What a huge and scary thing to know going in that sharing some of these things in such a big way could have some really negative results, but being true to your story anyway, for yourself and for anyone out there who needs to hear it. Molly's advocacy runs through the entirety of the book in all sorts of ways and is one of the things that those who know or those who have empathy will understand and/or perhaps learn from.
Others who may enjoy this book include those who are or are interested in social media influencers/influencing, whether you are curious or are interested in it as a hobby or career, as well as those who may be trying to do something new or different in their lives and are looking for a little inspiration.
Happy reading!
June 22, 2025
As a long time fan of Molly’s work, I was overjoyed to receive a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. The book gives more insight and background on events that you would not know even if you’ve been a longtime follower of Molly. She covers decades of her life; from childhood, to current day, this book throughly brings you a greater understanding of Molly’s life. We see the struggles she’s faced in life, but, more importantly, we see her existing as her authentic self— we don’t just see a poster child for blindness, we see Molly as her own person, living her life as she pleases, and staying true to her morals.
October 23, 2025
I feel torn about this one. I think Molly has a lot of interesting stories but the organization of the memoir was somewhat chaotic. I got a bit lost in jumping backwards and forward through time. There were times when she would say something like, "We'll get to that later," but then it seemed like we never did. I was left wanting more.
October 23, 2025
I discovered Molly Burke by accident on YouTube back in 2020 and have followed her ever since. I was truly excited for her when she announced her book. And what a stunning cover! I'm not normally drawn to memoirs, but I had to read this one.
Unseen made me realize how much Molly's gone through to get where she is today. She takes the reader through her childhood and encounters with bullies and mean girls, to painful experiences like losing beloved guide dogs, to her journey to become a public speaker, disability advocate, and social media influencer. None of her success came easily, and I can only imagine the struggles of other disabled people who don't have the incredibly supportive parents that Molly does. I am in awe of her strength, resilience, and positivity. It's hard enough in this world as a sighted person. Unseen is both educational and an enjoyable, unputdownable story, with Molly's bubbly personality shining through the pages.
My only complaint, and it's really a small thing, is that I didn't like how the timeline jumped around. I was thrown off by where the story began, then just when I got into it, Chapter 10 takes us out of that storyline and back in time. And then it jumped around a few more times after that. I just couldn't see the benefit and felt like a more linear timeline would have been more effective.
Overall, I highly recommend this for Molly fans, memoir fans, or anyone wanting to read about the power of positivity, resilience, and a good ole vision board!
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
Unseen made me realize how much Molly's gone through to get where she is today. She takes the reader through her childhood and encounters with bullies and mean girls, to painful experiences like losing beloved guide dogs, to her journey to become a public speaker, disability advocate, and social media influencer. None of her success came easily, and I can only imagine the struggles of other disabled people who don't have the incredibly supportive parents that Molly does. I am in awe of her strength, resilience, and positivity. It's hard enough in this world as a sighted person. Unseen is both educational and an enjoyable, unputdownable story, with Molly's bubbly personality shining through the pages.
My only complaint, and it's really a small thing, is that I didn't like how the timeline jumped around. I was thrown off by where the story began, then just when I got into it, Chapter 10 takes us out of that storyline and back in time. And then it jumped around a few more times after that. I just couldn't see the benefit and felt like a more linear timeline would have been more effective.
Overall, I highly recommend this for Molly fans, memoir fans, or anyone wanting to read about the power of positivity, resilience, and a good ole vision board!
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
October 27, 2025
I adore Molly. I found her videos when I was in middle school and it provided me with hours of entertainment. She just has such an infectious personality and I’ll always be rooting for her!
That being said, unfortunately this memoir missed the mark for me. It was lacking a depth I was hoping for, it was quite surface level. There were parts I enjoyed more than others. I just couldn’t relate to most of it as the second half of the book was all about influencing and that “high life” of being in the public eye. I wish she had talked about herself more, not the countless instances where she had a run in with a famous person or manifested an advertisement to be in.
I did learn some new things, and her advocacy for those with disabilities is truly remarkable.
Separating the art from the artist, I will continue to watch Molly (hopefully for many years to come)! I’m just left feeling disappointed.
That being said, unfortunately this memoir missed the mark for me. It was lacking a depth I was hoping for, it was quite surface level. There were parts I enjoyed more than others. I just couldn’t relate to most of it as the second half of the book was all about influencing and that “high life” of being in the public eye. I wish she had talked about herself more, not the countless instances where she had a run in with a famous person or manifested an advertisement to be in.
I did learn some new things, and her advocacy for those with disabilities is truly remarkable.
Separating the art from the artist, I will continue to watch Molly (hopefully for many years to come)! I’m just left feeling disappointed.
December 26, 2025
Honestly… I didn’t want to write this review but I feel like I had to. I have been a follower for years and was excited to hear about her experience and how she overcame things but that is not what this book is at all.
The entire first half of the book is just her complaining about very minuscule things and making jabs at her former employer. It was truly annoying to listen to. If she wanted to do a tell all or make them look bad, she should’ve just done a story time on her channel. Not write a book and pretend it is about disability. The things she complained about sounded like almost every single situation she was in the wrong and couldn’t handle being sick as an adult. You say over and over how you lived alone at 18 so you could do it but it seems like everything you did you either had your assistant or your mom doing it for you.
She also decides to leave out the YouTuber who actually helped her grow and say it’s because she didn’t want to be associated with him. Yet never gives him any credit. Anyone can look at your channel views and see how you actually got popular.
The book is just her complaining acting spoiled because some inconvenient things happened to her. Like they do to all people, life isn’t perfect. I hoped for more from you Molly. If you could’ve actually made this book about disability awareness and the ways your disability affected your life and overcame them - the book would’ve actually made a difference to those who need it. Do not recommend.
The entire first half of the book is just her complaining about very minuscule things and making jabs at her former employer. It was truly annoying to listen to. If she wanted to do a tell all or make them look bad, she should’ve just done a story time on her channel. Not write a book and pretend it is about disability. The things she complained about sounded like almost every single situation she was in the wrong and couldn’t handle being sick as an adult. You say over and over how you lived alone at 18 so you could do it but it seems like everything you did you either had your assistant or your mom doing it for you.
She also decides to leave out the YouTuber who actually helped her grow and say it’s because she didn’t want to be associated with him. Yet never gives him any credit. Anyone can look at your channel views and see how you actually got popular.
The book is just her complaining acting spoiled because some inconvenient things happened to her. Like they do to all people, life isn’t perfect. I hoped for more from you Molly. If you could’ve actually made this book about disability awareness and the ways your disability affected your life and overcame them - the book would’ve actually made a difference to those who need it. Do not recommend.
June 1, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
What piqued my interest in this book is Molly's experiences with society as a blind person. I am legally blind and can relate to a lot of what she experienced from a discriminatory and uneducated society. I am not a millennial so the whole content creator parts didn't resonate with me. But I'm happy she's found her success and is willing to speak up for the disabled community.
What piqued my interest in this book is Molly's experiences with society as a blind person. I am legally blind and can relate to a lot of what she experienced from a discriminatory and uneducated society. I am not a millennial so the whole content creator parts didn't resonate with me. But I'm happy she's found her success and is willing to speak up for the disabled community.
October 13, 2025
Unseen, releasing tomorrow, October 14th, is Molly Burke’s memoir about her life as a blind woman. I was incredibly grateful to be accepted for this advanced reader copy, as I’ve been following Molly’s journey for about a decade now. I love her humor and persistence to keep moving forward and her advocacy work for those in the disability space.
Molly’s medical condition, retinitis pigmentosa, is a rare and degenerative eye disease that has lead to her blindness. She went from having mostly normal vision to then only having a limited ability to see light perception. Her vision continues to decline over the years, but her ability to see the good has not.
I was appalled at the bullying she had to endure growing up and the adults that also discriminated against her for her blindness. It shows that everyone still has work to do to make the world more accessible and welcoming to all. It warmed my heart (and made me cry!) to see how Molly has created such a successful and beautiful life for herself. It’s inspiring to me to keep moving forward, even through life’s most difficult moments.
Thank you, Molly, NetGalley, and Abrams Press for this early copy to read and review. It was an honor to be able to read and now share Molly’s story! Bonus if you decide to read via audiobook, Molly narrates it! You can see on her YouTube how much work she put into recording this book for readers. I highly recommend picking up a copy tomorrow.
#mollyburke #unseen #disability #nonfiction #memoir #biography #kindle #netgalley #arc #abramspress #reading #books
Molly’s medical condition, retinitis pigmentosa, is a rare and degenerative eye disease that has lead to her blindness. She went from having mostly normal vision to then only having a limited ability to see light perception. Her vision continues to decline over the years, but her ability to see the good has not.
I was appalled at the bullying she had to endure growing up and the adults that also discriminated against her for her blindness. It shows that everyone still has work to do to make the world more accessible and welcoming to all. It warmed my heart (and made me cry!) to see how Molly has created such a successful and beautiful life for herself. It’s inspiring to me to keep moving forward, even through life’s most difficult moments.
Thank you, Molly, NetGalley, and Abrams Press for this early copy to read and review. It was an honor to be able to read and now share Molly’s story! Bonus if you decide to read via audiobook, Molly narrates it! You can see on her YouTube how much work she put into recording this book for readers. I highly recommend picking up a copy tomorrow.
#mollyburke #unseen #disability #nonfiction #memoir #biography #kindle #netgalley #arc #abramspress #reading #books
July 1, 2025
Unseen: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice – A Luminous Memoir of Resilience and Revolution
Rating: 5/5
Molly Burke’s Unseen is a seismic work that transcends memoir to become a manifesto for disability justice, crackling with wit, raw honesty, and unshakable purpose. As someone who entered this book with admiration for Burke’s advocacy but little lived understanding of blindness, I emerged with my perspective irrevocably shifted—equal parts humbled and galvanized.
Why This Book Is Transformative
Burke’s narrative voice is a revelation: sharp as a scalpel when dissecting ableist microaggressions (You’re too pretty to be blind), tender as a lullaby when recounting childhood struggles to pass as sighted. Her reframing of blindness not as tragedy but as a different way of knowing dismantles pity narratives with precision. The chapter on becoming a rock-climbing instructor—where she details using echolocation to “see” walls—left me breathless with its poetic redefinition of possibility. Interspersed advocacy insights (e.g., why inspiration porn harms more than it helps) elevate this beyond personal story into essential discourse.
Emotional Impact & Revelations
This book pulsed with moments that lodged in my heart: Burke’s teenage rebellion against braille (a rejection of “otherness”), her devastating account of being “ghosted” by friends post-diagnosis, and the triumphant irony of her social media fame—a platform where visibility exists beyond sight. Most profound was her dissection of “the gaze”—how being perpetually scrutinized as “the blind girl” forged her radical self-acceptance. I laughed at her wicked humor (My cane is not a VIP pass to pet your dog), then wept at her quiet reflection: Disability isn’t the hard part; ableism is.
Constructive Criticism
While Burke’s entrepreneurial journey is inspiring, a deeper exploration of systemic barriers (e.g., inaccessible workplaces) could strengthen her critique. The pacing occasionally lingers on youth anecdotes at the expense of her current activism—a sequel focusing on policy change would be welcome.
Final Verdict
A masterpiece that belongs alongside Haben and Being Heumann, radiating the same revolutionary warmth as Burke’s viral videos. This isn’t just a story about blindness; it’s a beacon for anyone who’s ever felt “unseen.”
Thank you to Edelweiss and ABRAMS for the gifted copy. Burke’s voice isn’t just heard—it reverberates.
Pair with: Disability Visibility for intersectional perspectives or The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating for another lyrical meditation on alternative senses.
For fans of: Stella Young’s irreverence, Alice Wong’s activism, and Glennon Doyle’s transformative storytelling.
Note to readers: Keep tissues and a highlighter handy—every page demands to be felt.
Rating: 5/5
Molly Burke’s Unseen is a seismic work that transcends memoir to become a manifesto for disability justice, crackling with wit, raw honesty, and unshakable purpose. As someone who entered this book with admiration for Burke’s advocacy but little lived understanding of blindness, I emerged with my perspective irrevocably shifted—equal parts humbled and galvanized.
Why This Book Is Transformative
Burke’s narrative voice is a revelation: sharp as a scalpel when dissecting ableist microaggressions (You’re too pretty to be blind), tender as a lullaby when recounting childhood struggles to pass as sighted. Her reframing of blindness not as tragedy but as a different way of knowing dismantles pity narratives with precision. The chapter on becoming a rock-climbing instructor—where she details using echolocation to “see” walls—left me breathless with its poetic redefinition of possibility. Interspersed advocacy insights (e.g., why inspiration porn harms more than it helps) elevate this beyond personal story into essential discourse.
Emotional Impact & Revelations
This book pulsed with moments that lodged in my heart: Burke’s teenage rebellion against braille (a rejection of “otherness”), her devastating account of being “ghosted” by friends post-diagnosis, and the triumphant irony of her social media fame—a platform where visibility exists beyond sight. Most profound was her dissection of “the gaze”—how being perpetually scrutinized as “the blind girl” forged her radical self-acceptance. I laughed at her wicked humor (My cane is not a VIP pass to pet your dog), then wept at her quiet reflection: Disability isn’t the hard part; ableism is.
Constructive Criticism
While Burke’s entrepreneurial journey is inspiring, a deeper exploration of systemic barriers (e.g., inaccessible workplaces) could strengthen her critique. The pacing occasionally lingers on youth anecdotes at the expense of her current activism—a sequel focusing on policy change would be welcome.
Final Verdict
A masterpiece that belongs alongside Haben and Being Heumann, radiating the same revolutionary warmth as Burke’s viral videos. This isn’t just a story about blindness; it’s a beacon for anyone who’s ever felt “unseen.”
Thank you to Edelweiss and ABRAMS for the gifted copy. Burke’s voice isn’t just heard—it reverberates.
Pair with: Disability Visibility for intersectional perspectives or The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating for another lyrical meditation on alternative senses.
For fans of: Stella Young’s irreverence, Alice Wong’s activism, and Glennon Doyle’s transformative storytelling.
Note to readers: Keep tissues and a highlighter handy—every page demands to be felt.
October 23, 2025
I only heard about this book because she was a guest speaker on digital accessibility at my employer. I watched Molly Burke quite a bit while growing up on YouTube so I had high expectations of her memoir. Something about the tone didn't sit right with me and I left with a lot of mixed feelings. I feel like a good editor would have helped retain her author voice while making the storytelling flow better.
September 8, 2025
I've followed Molly on YouTube for several years now, so I was super excited when I heard she had a new book coming out and was even more excited when I got approved for the ARC!
First off, if you're a fan of Molly's, this is definitely a must-read! Even though I've watched many of Molly's videos over the years, there was so much about Molly's journey that I hadn't known. There's definitely bits in here that left me wanting more, so I'd definitely love to read more by her a few more years in the future.
If you're unfamiliar with Molly and want to learn more about disability, this book is an excellent place to start! I've always appreciated Molly's candor and vulnerability when talking about the realities of her life while still being approachable for non-disabled (or even just sighted) people wanting to learn more.
As someone who has read many memoirs from disabled authors, I also just enjoyed learning more about the ins and outs of how she navigates her life as a social media influencer- I know very little about this world, so it was interesting to learn more about it from Molly's perspective.
Part of me wishes that I'd held out and read the audiobook narrated by Molly, but I guess I'll have to pick up the audiobook on a reread!
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this if you're wanting to learn more about blindness, disability, and accessibility! As Molly frequently notes though, she is just one woman, and the perspectives of the disability community are not a monolith, so I'd encourage anyone who reads and enjoys her memoir to continue reading other excellent books by other disabled authors!
Content: There was a lot more swearing in this book than I would have expected from just watching her relatively clean YouTube content. That didn't personally bother me, but I wanted to give a heads up!
Thanks to the publisher for this ARC!
First off, if you're a fan of Molly's, this is definitely a must-read! Even though I've watched many of Molly's videos over the years, there was so much about Molly's journey that I hadn't known. There's definitely bits in here that left me wanting more, so I'd definitely love to read more by her a few more years in the future.
If you're unfamiliar with Molly and want to learn more about disability, this book is an excellent place to start! I've always appreciated Molly's candor and vulnerability when talking about the realities of her life while still being approachable for non-disabled (or even just sighted) people wanting to learn more.
As someone who has read many memoirs from disabled authors, I also just enjoyed learning more about the ins and outs of how she navigates her life as a social media influencer- I know very little about this world, so it was interesting to learn more about it from Molly's perspective.
Part of me wishes that I'd held out and read the audiobook narrated by Molly, but I guess I'll have to pick up the audiobook on a reread!
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this if you're wanting to learn more about blindness, disability, and accessibility! As Molly frequently notes though, she is just one woman, and the perspectives of the disability community are not a monolith, so I'd encourage anyone who reads and enjoys her memoir to continue reading other excellent books by other disabled authors!
Content: There was a lot more swearing in this book than I would have expected from just watching her relatively clean YouTube content. That didn't personally bother me, but I wanted to give a heads up!
Thanks to the publisher for this ARC!
October 28, 2025
I never heard of the author but I do love to read memoirs and I love learning about blindness so I checked the audiobook out from my library. The narration was awful. Her voice is grating and annoying. This book taught me nothing about being blind. This book was filled with the authors whining and complaining and bitching. She never educated her readers about being blind. The author had major attitude and a chip on her shoulder. You don’t hear anything about her childhood, becoming blind, how she dealt with everyday tasks, about her guide dog, how she lived on her own, etc. She doesn’t explain how she was able to keep children safe at the camp when securing their harnesses for climbing (while blind). She doesn’t explain how she “wrote” her motivational speeches being blind. She threatens to kill herself when she doesn’t get her way. She spends a good portion of the book blaming and shaming others and the company she worked for. I couldn’t wait to finish this and return it.
October 30, 2025
I’m so sad I didn’t like this more!! I’ve followed Molly on Insta for quite some time and was excited for this book! I always prefer to listen to memoirs, especially when they are voiced by the author. This didn’t work for me this time around. When I watch/listen to her insta content, I’m not bothered by her voice and tone but the audiobook narration was too much for me. I’ll continue to follow her on socials, the book just wasn’t for me.
December 7, 2025
This memoir was a drag to get through. I’ve watched Molly’s content before and had high expectations for this book. I was curious to learn more about how she coped with total vision loss as a teenager. Instead, what we got, was Molly complaining about everyday inconveniences that happen to everyone- blind or not.
This passage was what really sold me on the 2 star rating.
“Waking up the next morning, I could barely pick my head off the pillow and couldn’t even bear to open my eyes. A splitting headache, snot-filled sinuses, and a sky-high fever? Yep- I was sick…. In the days that followed, I was sicker than I had been in years, and without my mom there to take my guide dog to the bathroom and spoon-feed me cold, soothing yogurt so I could take my meds, I don’t know what I would have done.”
The reason that this passage rubs me the wrong way, is because it SCREAMS Molly’s privilege. Think of the blind folks who DON’T have a guide dog or a mom to care for them when they inevitably get sick.
Molly complains about valid issues, such as an UBER driver not letting her guide dog get in the car or blind roles in films going to sighted people. However, she complains way TOO MUCH of first-world problems too… to the point where I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Not getting a blackberry because your family can’t afford it. Not getting a designer bag because it’s too expensive. Having to work “three gruelling twelve-hour shoot days in the boiling hot, humid summer heat.” Getting the wrong shade of nail polish at the salon before an audition. Girl… there are people dying. Yes it’s hard being blind. But a lot of the things she complains about are universal experiences for blind and sighted people living in Upper-middle class. First world problems that don’t need to be written in a book.
Unfortunately, this memoir which I’d hoped would open my eyes to issues of inaccessibility and discrimination toward people with vision loss, actually made me lose respect for Molly as an advocate. It’s great that Molly’s doing well- that she can buy as many handbags as she wants and live in a fully accessible house designed by her. HOWEVER, there are many blind folks who do not have the privilege she has. I want to hear from them. Sorry, Molly. Keep doing you.
This passage was what really sold me on the 2 star rating.
“Waking up the next morning, I could barely pick my head off the pillow and couldn’t even bear to open my eyes. A splitting headache, snot-filled sinuses, and a sky-high fever? Yep- I was sick…. In the days that followed, I was sicker than I had been in years, and without my mom there to take my guide dog to the bathroom and spoon-feed me cold, soothing yogurt so I could take my meds, I don’t know what I would have done.”
The reason that this passage rubs me the wrong way, is because it SCREAMS Molly’s privilege. Think of the blind folks who DON’T have a guide dog or a mom to care for them when they inevitably get sick.
Molly complains about valid issues, such as an UBER driver not letting her guide dog get in the car or blind roles in films going to sighted people. However, she complains way TOO MUCH of first-world problems too… to the point where I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Not getting a blackberry because your family can’t afford it. Not getting a designer bag because it’s too expensive. Having to work “three gruelling twelve-hour shoot days in the boiling hot, humid summer heat.” Getting the wrong shade of nail polish at the salon before an audition. Girl… there are people dying. Yes it’s hard being blind. But a lot of the things she complains about are universal experiences for blind and sighted people living in Upper-middle class. First world problems that don’t need to be written in a book.
Unfortunately, this memoir which I’d hoped would open my eyes to issues of inaccessibility and discrimination toward people with vision loss, actually made me lose respect for Molly as an advocate. It’s great that Molly’s doing well- that she can buy as many handbags as she wants and live in a fully accessible house designed by her. HOWEVER, there are many blind folks who do not have the privilege she has. I want to hear from them. Sorry, Molly. Keep doing you.
November 6, 2025
Such an engaging read that was amplified x10 by Molly’s audiobook narration. This memoir is a must read for everyone, but especially those with limited exposure to the disability community. Molly shares so much about her experiences with both humour and honesty and I think non disabled people can learn a lot from her. She is an amazing disability advocate with a gift for educating, advocating, and connecting with people through her work.
December 8, 2025
Such a valuable book for all to read…the more we learn about other people whether it is culture, ethnicity race, religion or disability the more acceptance, understanding & inclusion we can offer! I was saddened by the actions of others of all ages from the time Molly lost her vision. The advocacy Molly has done for herself & others has been remarkable & hopefully will continue. Molly did a great job narrating her book.
October 2, 2025
I have been a fan of Molly Burke's online presence for years and was thrilled when she announced the release of her new book, "Unseen: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice." I preordered the book immediately and began reading it as soon as it arrived. Molly's writing is incredibly engaging, and I found myself experiencing a wide range of emotions as I read her stories. Laughing along side her, bawling my eyes out at some of the more heart wrenching stories, and cheering her on the whole way.
The book's tone made it feel like I was having a deep conversation with a Best friend going from one memory to the next and the way the stories were woven together was expertly done. Overall, I highly recommend "Unseen" and would give it 5/5 stars. Thank you, Molly, for sharing even more your story with the world.
The book's tone made it feel like I was having a deep conversation with a Best friend going from one memory to the next and the way the stories were woven together was expertly done. Overall, I highly recommend "Unseen" and would give it 5/5 stars. Thank you, Molly, for sharing even more your story with the world.
November 19, 2025
I did not enjoy this. The book rambled and meandered and most of the time I couldn't remember where in time we actually were - was this childhood Molly? teenager Molly? 20-year-old Molly? No idea. That may be a product of it being an audiobook but since she is blind, I would expect her book to be easier to "read" audibly. Frustrating. Also, there were many times that she just seemed to be complaining and whining. She probably wasn't but it came across that way when she was talking about being upset about having to not buy expensive designer brands because she was budgeting or complaining that she would kill herself if she couldn't write a book (considering she had previously been suicidal so it seemed extra wrong to use that as a manipulation). Idk. Not a fan.
November 17, 2025
When I grow up, I want half the confidence of Molly Burke! This was interesting to listen to. She does mention a lot she’s had privilege to get to where she is, but I do wish she would’ve spoken a bit more about the struggles of others who are vision impaired that don’t have the same background as her. BUT I do understand this was a memoir and about Molly herself! I was nodding my head a lot on her disability advocacy. She’s such a force! I didn’t grow up watching her on YouTube, I just knew of her and I still enjoyed this book.
July 6, 2025
This book is easy to read but also a heavy hitter at the same time.
I "discovered" Molly Burke when Trevor Noah interviewed her on the daily show and I instantly followed her. She opened up my mind to a real blind person's life. I love her style and I can relate to a lot of the things she talks about despite my disability being mental and not physical. Of course, I jumped at the chance to review her new book, thank you Netgalley. Despite following her for years this book is not a repeat of her social media, as so many are. It stays new and interesting throughout.
Paralleling my introduction to Molly, the book starts with the interview with Trevor Noah. Molly takes us all throughout her life, from little kid Molly to a badass winning awards. She didn't shy away from the tough parts of her life. At times I had tears in my eyes, I am so angry with how she was treated and at times abused! But the book didn't wallow, and her positive attitude shines through the pages. I feel honored to laugh and cry along with the front runner for disability advocacy for a generation.
I "discovered" Molly Burke when Trevor Noah interviewed her on the daily show and I instantly followed her. She opened up my mind to a real blind person's life. I love her style and I can relate to a lot of the things she talks about despite my disability being mental and not physical. Of course, I jumped at the chance to review her new book, thank you Netgalley. Despite following her for years this book is not a repeat of her social media, as so many are. It stays new and interesting throughout.
Paralleling my introduction to Molly, the book starts with the interview with Trevor Noah. Molly takes us all throughout her life, from little kid Molly to a badass winning awards. She didn't shy away from the tough parts of her life. At times I had tears in my eyes, I am so angry with how she was treated and at times abused! But the book didn't wallow, and her positive attitude shines through the pages. I feel honored to laugh and cry along with the front runner for disability advocacy for a generation.
October 20, 2025
i never thought i'd find myself reading nonfiction but this is my 4th one of the year! i love Molly so much i've been watching her videos since her first guide dog, Gypsy, and i'm sooo happy to see how much she's grown and how successful she is!!!!
hearing her describe the discrimination and loss she went through was so heartbreaking and i was sooo upset for her 😭 i just don't understand why there are people who exist in this world who are so purposely hurtful like it doesn't take that much to be kind? or even treat someone like they're a regular human being??? idgi LOL
hopefully this book helps raise awareness about how we need to continue to do better as a society to be more inclusive and accessible and to make everyone feel more seen
hearing her describe the discrimination and loss she went through was so heartbreaking and i was sooo upset for her 😭 i just don't understand why there are people who exist in this world who are so purposely hurtful like it doesn't take that much to be kind? or even treat someone like they're a regular human being??? idgi LOL
hopefully this book helps raise awareness about how we need to continue to do better as a society to be more inclusive and accessible and to make everyone feel more seen
September 20, 2025
Having been a follower of Molly's YouTube channel for the past few years, I was excited to hear she was writing a memoir. Unseen is a heartfelt and authentic memoir that sheds light on the challenges of living with blindness, as well as the emotional toll of bullying, fame, and self-discovery.
Some of the writing is a bit clunky and the flow feels disjointed at times, but I appreciate that she wrote this fully on her own with no ghostwriter, and that her unique voice, full of humor and raw honesty, shines through.
Some of the writing is a bit clunky and the flow feels disjointed at times, but I appreciate that she wrote this fully on her own with no ghostwriter, and that her unique voice, full of humor and raw honesty, shines through.
November 6, 2025
An incredibly open and poignant look by Canadian influencer/actress Molly Burke and the challenges she faced growing up with retinitis pigmentosa knowing she would gradually lose all her vision. I really empathized with Molly as she learned to adapt first to using a cane and later to accepting she could no longer see at all and needed the help of a seeing eye dog.
Molly doesn't hold back from her struggles to accept her debilitating vision, the way she tried to mask it when she was younger in school and the way it was weaponized against her in the entertainment industry when she would try out for acting jobs where the character was visually impaired or blind only to have the role go to an abled bodied actor (over and over again).
Great on audio (although not read by the actor herself). This was a great look at how ableist society still is and how important it is for increased accessibility accommodations. Perfect for fans of books like Connecting dots or The country of the blind.
Molly doesn't hold back from her struggles to accept her debilitating vision, the way she tried to mask it when she was younger in school and the way it was weaponized against her in the entertainment industry when she would try out for acting jobs where the character was visually impaired or blind only to have the role go to an abled bodied actor (over and over again).
Great on audio (although not read by the actor herself). This was a great look at how ableist society still is and how important it is for increased accessibility accommodations. Perfect for fans of books like Connecting dots or The country of the blind.
November 6, 2025
I’ve been a fan of Molly’s for over a decade. I can remember coming home from a hard day at school and snuggling up on the couch and binging Molly’s YouTube videos. I’m more of a casual and quiet follower now as an adult, but this audiobook felt like catching up with an old friend.
Looking back, I think my journey into disability and accessibility advocacy started with the exposure through Molly’s videos on how much the world is truly not built for people with disabilities. Now as a person who creates online training and educational content for adults, things like color, contrast, and captioning exist in the forefront of my mind. Highly encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and experience a new perspective such as this one.
Looking back, I think my journey into disability and accessibility advocacy started with the exposure through Molly’s videos on how much the world is truly not built for people with disabilities. Now as a person who creates online training and educational content for adults, things like color, contrast, and captioning exist in the forefront of my mind. Highly encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and experience a new perspective such as this one.
October 25, 2025
This book was sooo good! It was the perfect mix of vulnerability, humor and education. Molly's voice was great - both in terms of writing style and as the audiobook narrator. It felt like classic Molly Rambles / Storytime videos x TED Talk. It was very delightful!
I've been following Molly for a few years - she's like the stylish, sassy, honest, knowledgeable older sister everyone needs! I've learned so much about disability and blindness from Molly from her videos and her book.
I've been following Molly for a few years - she's like the stylish, sassy, honest, knowledgeable older sister everyone needs! I've learned so much about disability and blindness from Molly from her videos and her book.
November 7, 2025
This book was one of the best I have read in a long time. It is Molly’s story. Not just that but it reminds me of my story the hardships the ups and downs the hugs and lows. I believe there is a part of this book anyone can relate to. Well done molly for putting yourself out there and doing what you think is right. Thanks for sharing this incredible story with your readers
October 27, 2025
An amazing memoir of Molly's life growing up blind. Her stories are so impactful. I follow her on YouTube and first found her after one of her audiobooks was free on Audible. So grateful for her using her voice to teach and inspire others!
December 22, 2025
I had really high hopes for this one, but the writing was lacking. The timeline jumped all over the place and was generally very surface level - missing lots of opportunities for broader messages about disability equity.
December 25, 2025
4.5 stars
An enjoyable read from someone I've followed for years. I love being able to see more content from disability advocates and creatives!
An enjoyable read from someone I've followed for years. I love being able to see more content from disability advocates and creatives!
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