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Seeing Eye
Resigning himself to a life of blindness after an accident, Campbell Knight learns of a new technology that restores vision through brain implants that are linked to a dog, but the visual world that is restored is from a canine perspective. Original.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 10, 2022
Ellis, AKA Stephen George, published a number of books with Zebra, but this is probably the strangest one of his I have read. Our main protagonist, Campbell Knight, used to own a car dealership until some explosion in the shop blinded him; now, a year later, he mopes in a small cabin somewhere in Minnesota. His sister, however, is dating a guy who works at some experimental lab where they have been using advanced techniques to link the eyes of a dog to formerly blinded humans. Some operation puts a chip or something in both the human and dog's brain and, when connected, the human can see through the dogs eyes.
Campbell, who at first refused the surgery, relented and was ecstatic with the result. Sure, it is a bit strange, but the dog, Shadow, was well trained and will look at things upon command. Meanwhile, Ellis inserts some crazy lady who seemingly abducts children one at a time and tries to make them love her, but usually, she ends up killing them. What is the connection between these two story lines? The crazy lady (Elenore) has a dog (who she also abducted) and it is a litter mate of Campbells seeing eye dog. For some bizarre reason, Campbell at times sees not through Shadow's eyes, but the eyes of his litter mate. Via this, Campbell sees the latest abducted kid. At first he things it is only a strange dream, until he sees a picture of the missing child and recognizes her...
This is tough one to rate. A rather trashy read in parts, with some lurid sex scenes, meandering down a very strange plot. Ellis/George can write well, but this is a pretty hard story to buy into. Lots of triggers, including child and animal abuse... I can see why some people could really hate this, while others may like it a lot. For me, just a step above meh.
Campbell, who at first refused the surgery, relented and was ecstatic with the result. Sure, it is a bit strange, but the dog, Shadow, was well trained and will look at things upon command. Meanwhile, Ellis inserts some crazy lady who seemingly abducts children one at a time and tries to make them love her, but usually, she ends up killing them. What is the connection between these two story lines? The crazy lady (Elenore) has a dog (who she also abducted) and it is a litter mate of Campbells seeing eye dog. For some bizarre reason, Campbell at times sees not through Shadow's eyes, but the eyes of his litter mate. Via this, Campbell sees the latest abducted kid. At first he things it is only a strange dream, until he sees a picture of the missing child and recognizes her...
This is tough one to rate. A rather trashy read in parts, with some lurid sex scenes, meandering down a very strange plot. Ellis/George can write well, but this is a pretty hard story to buy into. Lots of triggers, including child and animal abuse... I can see why some people could really hate this, while others may like it a lot. For me, just a step above meh.
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September 28, 2010Where to begin.
I usually at least give bad books 1 star just so I know that I did, indeed, read and rate it. But this was SO BAD it does not even deserve 1 star.
For starters, there were typos throughout the WHOLE book. I know that's more on the editor and the publisher, but it is still unacceptable. Many times I was confused by random dialogue showing up, because several times there were just NO QUOTATION MARKS to signify dialogue. On top of that many words (too many words) were spelled wrong. At one point, "leaves" was spelled "leav3s". Gimme a fucking break.
Onto the story:
Our "hero" is an unlikable bully. At one point, he is assaulted by teenagers (side note=why do the teenagers attack a blind man? because not a single character in the book is likable, nor does any character seem to possess any civility). When the teens assault the blind man, he falls to the ground, cries, and begs for mercy. A day or two later, the blind man returns to the scene of the assault with his new-ability to see. And he surprises one of the teens (who still assumes him to be blind) and beats the crap out of him. And then gloats about it. Typical bully behavior.
Further defining the horrendous demeanor of EVERY character: the blind guy mentally bullies his sister. His sister subjugates herself to get him surgery to help him see. His gf is mentally bullied by her mother AND her ex-fiance. The blind guy mentally bullies the gf's ex-fiance AND wants to physically bully him.
Then there is the antagonist. This is where we get into the author's absolute hatred of animals. For no reason at all, dogs are abused and beaten. Rabbits are killed. Dogs are shot. Dogs are blinded. I think cats die too.
Oh, and the icing on the cake - there is gratuitous child-torture and child-murders. Yay!
I usually at least give bad books 1 star just so I know that I did, indeed, read and rate it. But this was SO BAD it does not even deserve 1 star.
For starters, there were typos throughout the WHOLE book. I know that's more on the editor and the publisher, but it is still unacceptable. Many times I was confused by random dialogue showing up, because several times there were just NO QUOTATION MARKS to signify dialogue. On top of that many words (too many words) were spelled wrong. At one point, "leaves" was spelled "leav3s". Gimme a fucking break.
Onto the story:
Our "hero" is an unlikable bully. At one point, he is assaulted by teenagers (side note=why do the teenagers attack a blind man? because not a single character in the book is likable, nor does any character seem to possess any civility). When the teens assault the blind man, he falls to the ground, cries, and begs for mercy. A day or two later, the blind man returns to the scene of the assault with his new-ability to see. And he surprises one of the teens (who still assumes him to be blind) and beats the crap out of him. And then gloats about it. Typical bully behavior.
Further defining the horrendous demeanor of EVERY character: the blind guy mentally bullies his sister. His sister subjugates herself to get him surgery to help him see. His gf is mentally bullied by her mother AND her ex-fiance. The blind guy mentally bullies the gf's ex-fiance AND wants to physically bully him.
Then there is the antagonist. This is where we get into the author's absolute hatred of animals. For no reason at all, dogs are abused and beaten. Rabbits are killed. Dogs are shot. Dogs are blinded. I think cats die too.
Oh, and the icing on the cake - there is gratuitous child-torture and child-murders. Yay!
November 11, 2007
not something i've ever even thought of before - a book about the "what ifs" when you mix a blind man, a seeing eye dog, and surgery that lets the man see through the dogs eye... but what if theres more of a link than just the optical connection? i thought it was great!
May 6, 2017
I picked up this book many years ago (I think in middle school) for a steal at a random book outlet. I was intrigued by the cover (close up of a dog) and the premise of a blind character. I did not expect much, but the characters were compelling and real, across the board. I do not give 5 stars lightly. Yes, the book is not perfect. Yes, there are a number of errors like typos and exclamation marks. Yes, this could be made into a fine Lifetime movie... but despite all of these imperfects, it is a book that left an impression for me.
I recommend this book if you are able to look past these things. I think it is worth your time. It has remained on my shelf of favorite books all these years, and will stay there.
Mild style and characterization spoilers to follow (not plot) - read at your own risk:
- I liked the observations made by Campbell that reflect most layperson's ignorance on how to interact with a blind person. A blind person is a person, not a thing or helpless or useless. He shows how he is able to function with modifications.
- Teresa's character always resonated with me because she has a wise introspective voice that I identified with when I was younger.
I recommend this book if you are able to look past these things. I think it is worth your time. It has remained on my shelf of favorite books all these years, and will stay there.
Mild style and characterization spoilers to follow (not plot) - read at your own risk:
- I liked the observations made by Campbell that reflect most layperson's ignorance on how to interact with a blind person. A blind person is a person, not a thing or helpless or useless. He shows how he is able to function with modifications.
- Teresa's character always resonated with me because she has a wise introspective voice that I identified with when I was younger.
August 13, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed the flow of the book and its twists and turns.
March 11, 2016
I started and finished a horror type genre called Seeing Eye by Jack Ellis. It was a refreshing change as I searched for true crime read and rediscovered this book I found in my basement. It was an easy read but it kept you guessing and I found it pretty interesting.
4+Stars
4+Stars
May 1, 2009
Very good book, it is awesome, I recommend you read it!!
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December 7, 2017Being blind myself, I found the idea of being able to have sight through a companion dog truly intriguing. I've had a guide dog before, but this particular idea fascinated me. The story itself was compelling an thrilling and drew me in completely. I read this book in 6 hours. I just couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews