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When the Eye Sees Itself
Winner in Science Fiction at the 2018 Independent Press Award.
Best Book in Science Fiction at the 2018 Pinnacle Book Awards.
2018 First Runner-Up in General Fiction - Los Angeles Book Festival
When the Eye Sees Itself weaves a dazzlingly complex web of interconnection – institutional, psychological, political, cultural, economic, conscious, even subatomic - and shows how tugging on a thread within it can pull everyone down, or up.
The story takes place in a country that classifies people by temperamental balance, segregating Vulnerables and Aggressives from the ranks of Citizens who are deemed to possess a functional balance.
A legal challenge becomes the catalyst for a surge of unrest among the excluded classes, with Vulnerable and Aggressive activists squaring off against the conservative Citizen’s Action League over the rules for entry into the powered class.
Under the surface of this political conflict lurks a new technology – Quantum Field Resonance Imaging– which allows people to interpenetrate quantum neural fields and touch minds. The technology is in use for illicit and noble purposes, on small scales and large, officially and in the shadows.
Nothing is as it seems, and as the mind-linking technology peels back the veneer of ordinary perception, layer upon layer of deception and collusion are exposed, revealing abuses of power so profound they threaten to annihilate the country in civil war. Yet, an even more fundamental shift can be heard rumbling from beneath, as still deeper strata of illusion are blasted away and the struggle for control becomes more and more subtle.
Dealing with themes of quantum entanglement, mass surveillance, mass incarceration, political struggle, descent into darkness and addiction, state sponsored terror and torture, and spiritual awaking amidst the ashes of shattered conventions, When the Eye Sees Itself is epic, inspiring, disturbing and fun. It is a compelling tale about power, the kind that imprisons and the kind that sets us free, all of it borne of our interpenetrated minds.
Best Book in Science Fiction at the 2018 Pinnacle Book Awards.
2018 First Runner-Up in General Fiction - Los Angeles Book Festival
When the Eye Sees Itself weaves a dazzlingly complex web of interconnection – institutional, psychological, political, cultural, economic, conscious, even subatomic - and shows how tugging on a thread within it can pull everyone down, or up.
The story takes place in a country that classifies people by temperamental balance, segregating Vulnerables and Aggressives from the ranks of Citizens who are deemed to possess a functional balance.
A legal challenge becomes the catalyst for a surge of unrest among the excluded classes, with Vulnerable and Aggressive activists squaring off against the conservative Citizen’s Action League over the rules for entry into the powered class.
Under the surface of this political conflict lurks a new technology – Quantum Field Resonance Imaging– which allows people to interpenetrate quantum neural fields and touch minds. The technology is in use for illicit and noble purposes, on small scales and large, officially and in the shadows.
Nothing is as it seems, and as the mind-linking technology peels back the veneer of ordinary perception, layer upon layer of deception and collusion are exposed, revealing abuses of power so profound they threaten to annihilate the country in civil war. Yet, an even more fundamental shift can be heard rumbling from beneath, as still deeper strata of illusion are blasted away and the struggle for control becomes more and more subtle.
Dealing with themes of quantum entanglement, mass surveillance, mass incarceration, political struggle, descent into darkness and addiction, state sponsored terror and torture, and spiritual awaking amidst the ashes of shattered conventions, When the Eye Sees Itself is epic, inspiring, disturbing and fun. It is a compelling tale about power, the kind that imprisons and the kind that sets us free, all of it borne of our interpenetrated minds.
- GenresScience FictionDystopia
620 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
5 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Eric Borgerson
2 books3 followersEric Borgerson has been a writer in one form or another since junior high school in Oakland, California. He completed degrees in philosophy at Reed College and law at U.C. Berkeley. His career has included work in labor and civil rights law and politics, as an organizer, attorney, writer and journalist. He is also a fan of good science fiction, an avid science enthusiast, loves backpacking, music, film, and literature, and is a lifelong student of philosophy and spiritual traditions. When the Eye Sees Itself is Eric's first major work of fiction. While it is neither biographical nor autobiographical, it is informed and animated by Eric's extensive experience with politics and the law, as activist, participant and exile. Eric lives in the Palm Springs, California area
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June 1, 2018Www.theloveofabibliophile.wordpress.com
When the Eye Sees Itself is a beautifully, complex novel. From start to finish we see how this dystopian type society has distinguished its residents by their qualities. They have the chance to be a Vulnerable, an Aggressive, or a regular Citizen. The only one with any rights is a full-fledge Citizen though. What if you aren’t a Citizen though? Oh well that’s all fine and dandy as long as you go through a procedure of sorts so that you can be modified into what is acceptable of a Citizen…no biggie.
What type of resident would I be? How would I handle this type of society? Would I go through this stuff to have rights? These are just a few questions that come to mind while reading Borgerson’s novel. Through the majority of the novel, the storyline felt so tangible. As if this is a society that we could live in some day. And quite frankly, it was a terrifying thought. When the Eye Sees Itself is by no means a horror novel. It’s simply a story that, if contemplated long enough, makes the reader feel a sort of scared that only comes from realistic perspectives of the future.
Borgerson’s characters also come to play when you speak of how realistic it could be. How I would adore getting to know Anna in real life! She’s kind of stubborn, kind of sassy, kind of just the perfect mix of Aggressive and Vulnerable, and would make the perfect best friend! These characters aren’t doing some impossible sort of mystical task that only the “chosen one” can deal with. No! They are characters that could be anyone and this is an aspect that I adored so much while reading Borgerson’s work! With both an amazing writing style, characters, and a brilliant storyline that hasn’t been overly done, Borgerson brings a new player into the Sci-fi race! This is an author we would all do well to keep an eye out for! Haha get it? Cause eye is in the title…no? Okay sorry that was lame. Anyways, moving on.
I would and have already recommended this novel to so many Science Fiction lovers! Or anyone in general with a love of adventure and any reader looking for something that will grasp you from page to page. I promise this is one novel that you won’t put down easily.
When the Eye Sees Itself is a beautifully, complex novel. From start to finish we see how this dystopian type society has distinguished its residents by their qualities. They have the chance to be a Vulnerable, an Aggressive, or a regular Citizen. The only one with any rights is a full-fledge Citizen though. What if you aren’t a Citizen though? Oh well that’s all fine and dandy as long as you go through a procedure of sorts so that you can be modified into what is acceptable of a Citizen…no biggie.
What type of resident would I be? How would I handle this type of society? Would I go through this stuff to have rights? These are just a few questions that come to mind while reading Borgerson’s novel. Through the majority of the novel, the storyline felt so tangible. As if this is a society that we could live in some day. And quite frankly, it was a terrifying thought. When the Eye Sees Itself is by no means a horror novel. It’s simply a story that, if contemplated long enough, makes the reader feel a sort of scared that only comes from realistic perspectives of the future.
Borgerson’s characters also come to play when you speak of how realistic it could be. How I would adore getting to know Anna in real life! She’s kind of stubborn, kind of sassy, kind of just the perfect mix of Aggressive and Vulnerable, and would make the perfect best friend! These characters aren’t doing some impossible sort of mystical task that only the “chosen one” can deal with. No! They are characters that could be anyone and this is an aspect that I adored so much while reading Borgerson’s work! With both an amazing writing style, characters, and a brilliant storyline that hasn’t been overly done, Borgerson brings a new player into the Sci-fi race! This is an author we would all do well to keep an eye out for! Haha get it? Cause eye is in the title…no? Okay sorry that was lame. Anyways, moving on.
I would and have already recommended this novel to so many Science Fiction lovers! Or anyone in general with a love of adventure and any reader looking for something that will grasp you from page to page. I promise this is one novel that you won’t put down easily.
March 8, 2019
Borgerson crafts a complex world in which individuals are classified based on temperament. The psychological and legal aspects of the story are highly impressive, as we follow characters who seek to revolt against this rigid class system. What captured me most about this book's worldbuilding was the detailed descriptions of advanced tech - a theme that can so easily become dense jargon in sci-fi, yet is elucidated here in a manner that is easily understood by the lay reader.
June 23, 2018
5 Stars: I See the Future
A future not far from one we can fathom, "When the Eye Sees Itself" by Eric Borgerson is told in futuristic possibilities, powerful technologies, imaginative and sophisticated storytelling, characters with interesting back stories and psychology sometimes shifting from one genre into another keeping the reader committed to know if there will be cataclysmic ending. Admire the fantastic cover and turn the page.
A future based on classification, not dissimilar than what we endure every day, the designation in "When the Eye Sees Itself" are "Aggressives", "Vulnerables" and "Citizens" of course by design in naming those who are "Citizens" benefit the most and sit on a top of an of a futuristic pyramid. Some of the characters in "When the Eye Sees Itself" take time to peg down their perception and quirks. The main character Leo; a "Citizen" takes on the case of Anna who wants to change her station in life; this brings me to a particular passage I like and why I find Eric Borgerson's writing not your run of the mill.
"These were the loci of Anna’s reluctance. She knew of few people like herself. A Vulnerable by birth, perceptive and sensitive bordering on psychic, and bereft of filters to protect herself from experiencing others’ suffering and dysfunction. Also, an incendiary temper and sometimes violent if she felt threatened. Occasionally overtly cruel if we’re being honest with ourselves, she thought. None of that should be a surprise given what she’d been through, but the law didn’t grapple well with contradictions."
That paragraph made me fear for Anna because there is this simmering of violence, terrorism waiting to boil over in this polarized society, innocent people get caught up much like our reality.
It is a packed novel "When the Eye Sees Itself" some heavy themes but never too graphic when it comes to the violence take your time to understand the vast assortment of people in and out of this story, have a little fun with it see what classification you fall under "Aggressives", "Vulnerables" or "Citizens".
A future not far from one we can fathom, "When the Eye Sees Itself" by Eric Borgerson is told in futuristic possibilities, powerful technologies, imaginative and sophisticated storytelling, characters with interesting back stories and psychology sometimes shifting from one genre into another keeping the reader committed to know if there will be cataclysmic ending. Admire the fantastic cover and turn the page.
A future based on classification, not dissimilar than what we endure every day, the designation in "When the Eye Sees Itself" are "Aggressives", "Vulnerables" and "Citizens" of course by design in naming those who are "Citizens" benefit the most and sit on a top of an of a futuristic pyramid. Some of the characters in "When the Eye Sees Itself" take time to peg down their perception and quirks. The main character Leo; a "Citizen" takes on the case of Anna who wants to change her station in life; this brings me to a particular passage I like and why I find Eric Borgerson's writing not your run of the mill.
"These were the loci of Anna’s reluctance. She knew of few people like herself. A Vulnerable by birth, perceptive and sensitive bordering on psychic, and bereft of filters to protect herself from experiencing others’ suffering and dysfunction. Also, an incendiary temper and sometimes violent if she felt threatened. Occasionally overtly cruel if we’re being honest with ourselves, she thought. None of that should be a surprise given what she’d been through, but the law didn’t grapple well with contradictions."
That paragraph made me fear for Anna because there is this simmering of violence, terrorism waiting to boil over in this polarized society, innocent people get caught up much like our reality.
It is a packed novel "When the Eye Sees Itself" some heavy themes but never too graphic when it comes to the violence take your time to understand the vast assortment of people in and out of this story, have a little fun with it see what classification you fall under "Aggressives", "Vulnerables" or "Citizens".
June 16, 2019
This was a tough read, indeed! Where do I begin? A politically intense story that rang very true. I could see what is happening in the real world today reflected in that story. A political situation where an International Intelligence Director, Trent Hobson, a subordinate to Belinda Mosgrove, the chief executive of the country, seizes power through dubious means to rule a country which he already controls. Sorry about the long sentence. This book was full of them. It has a one page, but mostly a one paragraph long sentences throughout the book. I sometimes had to read and re-read to understand what was being said.
The story, in simple terms, there was nothing simple about this story, was about how the Director of Intelligence planted listening and controlling bugs all over the city. They used these bugs to listen not only to what is being said but to control people’s emotions. An insider, Agent Anaku, who disagreed with this control thing, became to only voice of truth and reason by disclosing what was happening. He had to go into hiding. In fact, no one knows whether he is alive or dead. Anyone who tried to crack into this very secretive and complex system was discovered and eliminated.
In part 1 and 2 of the story, I was completely lost. A lot of head hopping! The unconventional language of the story was not of our everyday parlance. It was as if the author was showing off his intelligence by daring the reader to try and understand him without using a dictionary. I was tempted several times to stop reading! Looking through the characters in the story, I could see the author very clearly in the person of James Malone.
I liked some characters in this story. Advocate Leo Baksh is on top of the list, followed by Anna Dao, Wendy Malone and John Hanes. The story started gathering heat from Part 3. I am happy I read it all through or I would have missed a very interesting ending. That is if it actually ended.
May 8, 2018
When the Eye Sees Itself is a complex novel about a society that uses personality traits to classify individuals in society. You can be an aggressive, a vulnerable, or a citizen. A citizen is the only one with rights, for an aggressive or vulnerable to obtain these rights they have to undergo a psychologically damaging reclassification procedure.
The novel focuses around the challenges to this system. What happens when someone is so aggressive and so vulnerable that the two traits even themselves out? How would this impact an already polarized society?
The novel also looks at technology and its impact. Devices start appearing on the black market that not only allow you to connect with the internet but to each other's minds. What happens when these devices are used to commit a crimes?
This novel is extremely packed. It also contains violence, terrorism, and hacking. There is a wide assortment of characters that interact in very complex ways.
While I enjoyed reading When the Eye Sees Itself, I think it would have been better served sectioned out into multiple books. There is just so much going on and so many people involved in the action. This is not genre fiction, or rather it is not a book to pop open on the beach for some light reading. The story is complex and the topics may be disturbing to some. Part of the novel is an investigation into violent acts against others. The descriptions never get graphic but the tone is aptly set. In addition there is drug abuse and other pretty heavy themes.
I really enjoyed the writing. The story itself could have been aided by some restructuring, but the writing is spot on. The words flow well together, it is well proofread, and it is just overall well done.
The novel focuses around the challenges to this system. What happens when someone is so aggressive and so vulnerable that the two traits even themselves out? How would this impact an already polarized society?
The novel also looks at technology and its impact. Devices start appearing on the black market that not only allow you to connect with the internet but to each other's minds. What happens when these devices are used to commit a crimes?
This novel is extremely packed. It also contains violence, terrorism, and hacking. There is a wide assortment of characters that interact in very complex ways.
While I enjoyed reading When the Eye Sees Itself, I think it would have been better served sectioned out into multiple books. There is just so much going on and so many people involved in the action. This is not genre fiction, or rather it is not a book to pop open on the beach for some light reading. The story is complex and the topics may be disturbing to some. Part of the novel is an investigation into violent acts against others. The descriptions never get graphic but the tone is aptly set. In addition there is drug abuse and other pretty heavy themes.
I really enjoyed the writing. The story itself could have been aided by some restructuring, but the writing is spot on. The words flow well together, it is well proofread, and it is just overall well done.
May 14, 2018
Eric Borgerson’s When the Eye Sees Itself evokes so many images in its pages. It’s both dystopian and has overtures of cyberpunk. The sci-fi aspect is light but it feels reminiscent of many films and stories to have come out in the past two decades (I’m feeling Hackers, Bladerunner, What Ever Happened to Monday, and so much more). It borrows themes from many and molds them each into fit a narrative that is unique unto itself, telling a story somewhere on the spectrum between Orwell and Heinlein in its approach to politics and human classism. It is disturbingly realistic and certainly cautionary.
It is a big book, with words crammed a little too tightly, which is my only complaint. It probably could’ve been shorter, and that’s usually a mark of poor writing or subpar editing… however, that’s not the case here. The prose is tight and it is well edited (though Borgerson does tend to gloss over some things and occasionally use a passive, summary paragraph. That may be a way he battled the length.)
If you’re looking for something that feels like a modern Philip K Dick, When the Eye Sees Itself might be the perfect book for you. I got a free copy in exchange for an honest review posted at my blog, Inside the Inkwell.
It is a big book, with words crammed a little too tightly, which is my only complaint. It probably could’ve been shorter, and that’s usually a mark of poor writing or subpar editing… however, that’s not the case here. The prose is tight and it is well edited (though Borgerson does tend to gloss over some things and occasionally use a passive, summary paragraph. That may be a way he battled the length.)
If you’re looking for something that feels like a modern Philip K Dick, When the Eye Sees Itself might be the perfect book for you. I got a free copy in exchange for an honest review posted at my blog, Inside the Inkwell.
August 8, 2018
When the Eye Sees Itself by Eric Borgerson is a hands-down, top-notch read that will satisfy all your literary cravings. With an artistic flair, Mr. Borgerson delves into many genres and delivers a well-crafted, mind-blowing, and thought-provoking story that takes us into the future with concepts and matters that are of concern and so close to home. The beautiful cover grabs your eye, however the author’s fantastic weaving of words keeps you engaged in the story while the characters and their endeavors tug at your heartstrings.
There is much to be said for an author who keeps their readers invested in their story and Mr. Borgerson does this splendidly. Kudos to the author for an amazing job. I highly recommend this author and book…a must-read!
There is much to be said for an author who keeps their readers invested in their story and Mr. Borgerson does this splendidly. Kudos to the author for an amazing job. I highly recommend this author and book…a must-read!
April 14, 2018
I'm a big fan of book covers done right - there are so many hit and misses that a good cover really places one book apart from the others. This cover jumped out at me soon as I unwrapped the packaging - it is absolutely stunning.
The book itself is an intricately woven narrative dipping its toes in more than one genre, an interesting, unique and thought-provoking read.
The story is told in an experienced tone - familiarity but not boredom in the content. There are enough links to known situations and experiences and places in our minds to intricately link imagination with narration. During that first two to three chapters character-wise I often found them to be over explained and their communication a bit rigid and repeated but that smoothed out rather quickly into familiarity with the characters.
Its a futuristic piece in a not too far in the future reality. Being an unpredictable read which touches on subjects not explored in anything I've met in writing before. A warped society based around a population divided into Aggressives, Vulnerables and Citizens - those who are at the pinnacle of the pyramid. A legal battle ensues and a rebellion of sort begins with the Vulnurables and Aggressives against the Citizens.
Nothing is as it seems, new technologies with powerful abilities fuelled by a twisted political reality can cause cataclysmic results. There are huge undercurrents and secrets, threats and possible annihilation lurks under the surface of this nail-biting read.
This book definitely left me thinking and certainly left it's mark on my mind. It's not exactly a light read but I'd undoubtedly say worth my time and would encourage more people to buy it, be it lovers of sci-fi, futuristic or political intrigue genres.
The book itself is an intricately woven narrative dipping its toes in more than one genre, an interesting, unique and thought-provoking read.
The story is told in an experienced tone - familiarity but not boredom in the content. There are enough links to known situations and experiences and places in our minds to intricately link imagination with narration. During that first two to three chapters character-wise I often found them to be over explained and their communication a bit rigid and repeated but that smoothed out rather quickly into familiarity with the characters.
Its a futuristic piece in a not too far in the future reality. Being an unpredictable read which touches on subjects not explored in anything I've met in writing before. A warped society based around a population divided into Aggressives, Vulnerables and Citizens - those who are at the pinnacle of the pyramid. A legal battle ensues and a rebellion of sort begins with the Vulnurables and Aggressives against the Citizens.
Nothing is as it seems, new technologies with powerful abilities fuelled by a twisted political reality can cause cataclysmic results. There are huge undercurrents and secrets, threats and possible annihilation lurks under the surface of this nail-biting read.
This book definitely left me thinking and certainly left it's mark on my mind. It's not exactly a light read but I'd undoubtedly say worth my time and would encourage more people to buy it, be it lovers of sci-fi, futuristic or political intrigue genres.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews