Blind

by Cath Weeks

'It'll make you weep' Elle

For fans of Diane Chamberlain and Jodi Picoult, this is an emotional, page-turning and high-concept debut about a mother who gives birth to a blind baby.

Twyla Ridley, resourceful, optimistic, has just had her first child. It's what she and her husband, Dylan, have always wished for.

However, Charlie is blind.

For the first time in her adult life Twyla feels truly tested. She cherishes her son, showering him with love and boundless affection, but there's a part of her that aches for him to see. So Twyla throws herself into motherhood with a very private agenda, because maybe, if she strives hard enough, she'll be able to find a way to fix him.

But is it a risk worth taking?

Blind is about how hard we battle for our children and how blind we can be to the secrets of those closest to us. It's a story that delves into the very heart of our dangerous yearning for perfection.

Genres: Fiction, Novels, Contemporary

307 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2016

About the author

Cath Weeks, also known as Cate Ray, is a British suspense author. Her unique debut, 'Blind', was longlisted for the Waverton Good Read award and she was named an "Author to Watch" by ELLE magazine. A favourite with book clubs, her novels have been selected by Evening Standard, Closer, and Woman & Home. Find out more at Cate Ray's official website: www.CateRay.co.uk

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twyla Ridley is an optimist by nature. When she has her first child Charlie Ross, he is perfect except for one thing. He is blind. Though her husband Dylan and Twyla love him they have differing ideas about what is best for him. This comes to the fore when Twyla finds what she believes is a way Charlie Ross can gain his sight. But there is a huge risk involved, especially for a child so young. Is it a risk worth taking? Not everyone agrees with Twyla and her try and fix it solution.
I found this an absorbing read. It raises a lot of issues about the extent a parent will go to for their child. One thing that most struck me was the way other people weighed in on the Ridley’s decision, even people who did not know them personally. Whether you agree with the decision or not, it shows how quick society is to criticise and judge. As one character says,’ No one can have a view on this other than you and your wife.’ Yet everyone wants to have their say and interfere. And later ‘the argument had a would you, wouldn’t you quality that most people enjoyed, even if they weren’t parents, weren’t in the same position, weren’t remotely qualified to judge.’ That sums up the problem with hypotheticals. You may never know how you would react. You may think you would respond on way and then if the situation ever arose, find you don’t act the way you expected at all.
Although I found the issue raised thought provoking, and the characters well drawn if not always likable, I did question why a couple of characters were introduced. They added nothing. I also found some of the family dynamics strange. So, not perfect but still an absorbing read with a twist or two along the way.

[MetLineReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale of Twyla and Dylan whose son Charlie is born blind. I found her name irritating at first but apart from that this was a well-crafted tale. I found the interactions between Twyla and Dylan difficult, but i think this was intended to illustrate the difficulties and anguish that they were experiencing as a result of the potential operation to correct Charlie's sight.
An interesting read, particularly to consider how far you would go for your children...

[Elif · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mükemmellik algısını dayatmaya çalışan ve bu yüzden kör doğan oğlunu böyle doğduğu için dünyası sonuna ermiş gibi davranan, tüm olayları uzaktan anlatan, her şeyin duygusallığını yok eden ve tüm olayları gizlemeye çalışan, kurguyu saçma bir yere götüren, kısacası 2019 yılında okuduğum en gereksiz kitaplar arasına girmeyi bu şekilde başardı.

[Kirsty · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the most unrealistic books which I have ever read.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

Quite a few unexpected twist and turns

[Rebecca-Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just had a new baby this book was a very poignant read for me. I thought the emotions Twyla went through, particularly in the early days of pregnancy were beautifully and exquisitely described; I had to keep putting the book down and reading in short, sharp bursts because I was an emotional wreck.

To receive the news that your child is blind would be devastating because, whether people admit it or not, we all have the ideal family in mind when blessed with the news that we are about to have a new addition. Normally, when questioned about gender/weight/date etc. people's response is your typical "I don't mind, as long as it's healthy", so what happens when you deliver your bundle of joy and it isn't healthy? Being such a new mum, I was easily able to empathise with Twyla and from the start asked myself, would I do the same thing? Would I go against all the odds if it meant a chance for my baby to be able to see and live a normal life? And still, two days after finishing the book, the honest answer is I don't know. I think the moral dilemna is something that, until you are put in that situation, you wouldn't be able to answer truthfully. I honestly don't think it was a case of seeking 'perfection' in Twyla's case, I think it was just being a mum and wanting the best chance at life for her baby boy. Similarly, as a father and a grandparent, I think this was Stephen's motivation for staging the intervention that he did and, although done in a cruel and twisted way, I can understand his longing to try and give his family the best possible chances. He felt the need to protect his daughter and his grandson from the cruel world that we live in and sometimes this means doing things that compromising what is deemed morally and ethically correct in today's society. It's the innate 'flight or fight' response that we all have built within and he chose to fight alongside his daughter - is this so wrong? Again, the honest answer is, I don't know. Definitley a thought-provoking read that makes you question your own ideas and beliefs about the world and parenthood.

The only character that irked me somewhat was Dylan. He most obviously fell on the 'flight' side of things throughout the novel but, even before leaving the family behind (which I actually thought was a bit rich considering the amount of things he kept from Twyla, including his reservations about the operation right up until the week before they were due to have it meant he was in no position to be angry at her for keeping anything from him) his attitude to the whole situation annoyed me. He seemed heavily led and influenced by his mother and sister, yet seemed to harbour a deep resentment for both of these characters given his childhood experiences. The fact that he had felt deserted all his life would, personally, make me think that he would want to change this and be the husband/parent that his father wasn't but, alas, this wasn't the case. This was despite, on more than one occassion throughout the book, him voicing the fact that he blamed his father and his lack of stayability for the runiation of the family unit: Eileen's depression, Bindy becoming carer for Fee etc. So why then did he replicate his father's actions? He also didn't appear to have a mind of his own and instead opted to go along with everyone else's ideas: Twyla's, his mother's, Bindy's, Molly's; he sought solace in all of these people at some point in the novel rather than ever really detailing his own personal feelings about the situation. I found it hard to believe that Twyla, a strong character who stood by her guns in the face of all criticism and weathered the storm, would ever even have plumped for someone who, quite frankly, came across as spineless and a bit of a wet weekend. But, again, I suppose until someone is actually put in the situation that their family were, it would be difficult to say how one should, and indeed would, act.

This book stayed with me even after putting it down and I think it raised some valuable questions about humanity and the lengths that we will go to. The boundaries between what people consider right and wrong in terms of medicine and science are most definitely still blurred, even in this technologically advanced era.

[Kozmokitap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twyla ve Dylan çiftinin ilk çocukları Charlie 'nın doğumunu sabırsızlıkla beklerler. Yeni yılın ilk bebeğidir Charlie. Herşey harika görünse de Twyla tersliği farkeder ve bir göz uzmanı da bunu doğrular. Charlie kördür. Anne ve babanın imtihanı başlar böylece. Ya Charlie bu şekilde , görmeden yaşayacaktır ya da tüm risklere rağmen deneysel bir ameliyat geçirecek ve tekrar görmeye başlayacaktır. .
Bir annenin neredeyse tüm çevreye karşı verdiği mücadeleyi okuyoruz kitapta. Kocası bile bu yolda ona yeterli destek olmamasına rağmen inatla ilerler Twyla. .
" Ben olsam ne yapardım" sorusunu kendime sormadan okuyamadım kitabı . Etkilendim, sinir oldum ve kızdım okuma süreci boyunca. En çok da Dylan 'a kızdım. Kitabı okurken etkileniyorsunuz fakat çok duygusal bir anlatım beklemeyin. İki gözü iki çeşme alamıyorsunuz. Yazarın gerçekçi bir anlatımı var ve siz olaylara seyirci olarak okuyor, eleştiriyor ve katılıyorsunuz ...

https://kozmokitap.blogspot.com.tr/20...

[Seyma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kitap hakkında ne hissedeceğimi bilmiyorum yani ortada yeni doğum yapmış bir anne var ama daha yavrusuna kavuşmanın sevincini yaşayamadan oğlunun kör olduğunu öğreniyor evet çok üzücü bir durum ama anlatım tarzında bir şeyler vardı bir soğukluk! Twyla(anne) oğlunun riskli de olsa ameliyat edilebileceğini öğrenince elinden geleni yapıyor ameliyat parasının toplanması için yardım kampanyası başlatıyor hedefine de ulaşıyor ama bu süreçte neredeyse herkes bu ameliyatın yapılmaması için karşı çıkıyor her zaman yanında olan kocası bile. Konu gerçekten çok güzel ama anlatımı biraz soğuk buldum yani bana bir şeyler hissettiremedi sadece okudum üzülemedim. Anne-oğul arasındaki ilişki yüzeysel anlatılmıştı hem sonu da beni pek tatmin etmedi üzülerek üç veriyorum.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was browsing through Netgalley a little while back when my eye caught the cover of ‘Blind’. This cover just really grabbed my attention and when I read the book description I decided to request this book. I was super excited when I read I was offered the opportunity to read this book and I started reading as fast as I could.

In ‘Blind’ we meet married couple Twyla and Dylan Ridley. There wish has come true when they’re baby boy Charlie is born. But what they couldn’t have known is that Charlie is blind. Although they’re happy with Charlie being healthy, him being blind is very hard on the young parents. The house will have to be made safe for a young blind boy and his life will be different than other children his age.
Twyla is determined to find a way to help her son. But when she finally finds something that gives her hope Charlie will be able to see someday, everything changes.

Let me start this review by saying I didn’t really know what genre this book was. When I read the book description I expected this book to be a thriller, but I didn’t really know for sure. Throughout reading ‘Blind’ I kept wondering which way the story would go. Which made me want to keep on reading until I got some answers. And honestly, now I’ve read the book I still don’t really know which genre fits this book. The book was interesting, but somehow I just didn’t really get it.

The characters Twyla and Dylan seemed to be a good married couple. But just like with most stories, they had many secrets for one another. In the end I just didn’t really get their relationship.
Especially in the beginning of ‘Blind’ I also didn’t really get Twyla. She seemed to be sad a lot of the time because Charlie was blind. Which is off course not something you’d want for your child, but is it really so bad as she thought it was? I kept wondering what I would have done, and I just think she overreacted a little. But maybe that is the nurse in me talking.

Overall I did enjoy this read, but it left me with a lot of questions. I just didn’t really get the characters, and I also didn’t really like them. In the end I really feel like I missed something.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this novel as it, at times, felt like two opposing genres. The plot twist and some of the characters (Molly and Paul) who appeared to only be included as a distraction and more possibilities in a who-done-it were at odds with the family drama and moral dilemma at the heart of the novel.
While I understand Stephen's rationale for his actions, the way he executed his plans seemed ridiculous and highly unlikely, especially in a novel that was steeped in realism in terms of motherhood and the angst of any new mother.
Perhaps it is my personal bias, or maybe that the risks and long term implications of the surgery were not fully explained prior to the surgery, but to me there was little in terms of a dilemma: your child is blind and surgery is available to eradicate blindness. Why would you not opt for surgery? I did not buy in to the theory that to consider surgery was an implication that you were dissatisfied or even disappointed with your baby. Had the surgery been for something which may have been considered cosmetic then I could understand the issue but not for a life-changing disability.

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings)]

Not read - passed on.

[Sonia Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desde o início fiquei cativada por Charlie, Twyla e Dylan; a escrita da autora é extremamente cativante e de uma grande sensibilidade a escrever sobre o choque desta mãe ao saber que o seu bebé é cego e do impacto na pequena família. Também da sua determinação em tentar proporcionar uma cura que o filho ver e ter, assim, uma vida mais fácil. Mas há quem veja isso como uma ida contra a vontade de Deus e a busca pela perfeição em vez de ser visto apenas como a decisão de uma família em proporcionar um cuidado de saúde ao filho, como acontece diariamente pelo mundo. Foi uma história encantadora, com surpresa inesperadas e emocionantes. No entanto, admito que admiro muito o facto de não ser excessivamente dramática e lamechas. Nunca pensei que fosse o pai de Twyla a raptar o bebé para fazer a cirurgia. Percebo mas que decisão... No final fiquei muito triste que Dylan e Twyla se separassem, mas percebo Dylan, estar ofendido e sentir-se traído por ter sido o sogro a raptar e mandar operar Charlie e Twyla não lhe ter dito logo quando soube. Gosto de pensar que era uma separação temporária e iam ficar juntos novamente.

[Gracyn Carmean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blind is another one of those books that makes the reader really think about what they would do if they were in the characters' situation. We as humans always like to think highly of ourselves, and assume that we would automatically love our children unconditionally in every way, no matter how much of a quirk or disability they may have. But Weeks has this roundabout way of telling her readers that this is not always the case, that individuals cannot help but wish to improve their loved ones in some way or another. I enjoy books like this because they are so raw, so real, and remind me that it's okay to seek self-improvement while also learning to love oneself as is.
As a criticism, I can say that it is obvious that Blind is Weeks' first published book, as there are many areas throughout the story where a little more depth/detail would have been nice, as well as more variety in pacing Likewise, I didn't much appreciate the ending; it just leaves the reader thinking, "Okay....then what?" A little more closure would have made it more satisfying. It's a minor flaw, and one I am sure Weeks will improve with time and practice.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was completely absorbed in this book right from the start. It isn't particularly long but I think I still would've read it quickly even if it was double the length because I didn't want to put it down.

I'll start with the characterisation which I found to be a bit of a mixed bag. Charlie stole my heart immediately, and Twyla had me feeling everything from rage to sympathy. However I found Dylan frustrating, as central to the plot as he was I just didn't care for him. The secondary characters (Molly, Paul and Juliet) seemed pretty pointless and this annoyed me I must admit.

I loved the twist, there didn't seem to be any hints leading up to it and it presents a moral issue that will leave you questioning what you would do if you found yourself in the same position.

It's well written and well paced. It's clear how much thought and research has taken place. I do think there should have been harsher consequences for those at fault but this didn't take away from my overall enjoyment and I would definitely recommend this book.

[Renklikalem · Rating 2 out of 5]

bekledigimi bulamadim ne yazik ki.. yazarin anlatiminda bi eksiklik vardi. nasil anlatmaliyim bilmiyorum, hani cok onemli bir olay geciyor kitapta ama sen o hissi okurken yakalayamiyorsun... yani nakaratsiz sarki gibi mi desem, bir turlu kopamayan hareketli sarkilar gibi mi desem anlayin beni nolur. hic keyif alamadim! bu kdr enteresan bi konu ancak boyle harcanirdi herhalde. uzulur muyum diye endise edip okumayanlar icin de sunu soyleyebilirim beni hic uzmedi. cunku dedim ya kitaptaki o his nedense hic gecmedi bana. kitaptaki karakterlere de ayrica hic isinamadim. tek artisi kafa dagitici kolay okunan akici bir kitap olmasi.. arti sayilirsa eger. nolur okuyup seven varsa bi yazsin konusalim ben belki hikmetine nail olamamisimdir okuyan biriyle konusunca anlarim icim de biraz rahatlar belki🙈

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant enough book that did keep me reading..... However, the story was a confusing genre mish mash and in part I couldn't quite see where it was going or why certain characters were included. I'm assuming that these tactics were used as a distraction. It had an unpredictable storyline which wasn't a bad thing.

Having finished the book, I'm still not really sure about it.

Good but not great.

[Esra Kılıç · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doğuştan gözleri görmeyen bir çocuğun, hatta daha çok ailesinin yaşadıklarını anlatıyor hikaye. Bir anne olarak bu tarz kitaplar artık okuyamıyorum içim daralıyor. Daha farklı bir beklentiyle başladım, ama beklentimi karşılayamadı diyebilirim. Çünkü ilerleyiş, kasvetli, ağır ve iç karartıcıydı biraz. Kısacası kendimi kaptıramadım. Aylar önce başlayıp biraz okuyup kenara bıraktığım, şimdi elime alıp bitirdiğim bir kitap. Karar sizin.

[Bernadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever and really well written story. Full of twists and turns with a couple of sucker punches thrown in.
About love and acceptance and about how far you would be prepared to go to fix your child.
Read it, it's good!

[Brczdn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bence yazar konuyu, bir ailenin çoçuğunu bütün riskleri ve dini inançları çerçevesinde ameliyat ettirip ettirmeme kararı ve bu karar sürecinde yaşadıkları psikolojik durum çerçevesinde işleseydi daha başarılı bir kitap olabilirdi. Dallanıp budaklandıkça mantıksızlaşmış.

[Judith Yeabsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was well written and an interesting premise but it just never gripped me. I wasn't fighting to jump back in and read more and it never reached a zenith. The pace seemed the same from start to finish. Bit of a fizzle for me.

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially i slightly struggled with this due to its central character's anxiety. It made me feel an echo of my own issues in that area. However after meeting the author I had a change of heart. There's a lot to unpack here about love for your children, the impact of past suffering and the failure to speak up and be open and what lengths you should go to to help your child. Also about mental health and isolation. Compelling and worth reading

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally hooked by this book. It made me cry but I couldn't put it down. No clues, but you'll be surprised, and don't miss reading the author's note at the end.

[andshe.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart wrenching story about the love for your child and how far one would go to protect them.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it not only makes you think but it’s also a heartwarming read about love.

[Jenny L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clever and unusual story. Well told and it certainly makes you think......shame we didn't read this for book club!

[Debralynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I would not compare her to Jodi Picoult. Mis weeks is an entity onto herself. She writes fine literature too.

[Lynne Easy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual storyline but a keep you reading story.

[Charissa Ty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book... Is very human. I like it.

Just got goosebumps thinking how Charlie's eyes would look like.

[Catherine Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was reading this and i have to dnf it because i cant remember any of the characters names and i just cant get into it.

[Susan Crosswaite · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking novel about the impact of a child's disability on the family and the strength of a mother's love. The book is well written and includes enough twists to keep it interesting to the end.

I received this book free via Goodreads Giveaways.