Sight Unseen

by David Carroll

What would it feel like to know you are going blind?

Thirteen-year-old Finn loves bike riding - the more dangerous the trail, the better. But he had a spectacular crash a few months ago, and he's just received a diagnosis that will change his life. He is slowly going blind. In a few years his vision will be gone.

Desperate to salvage something of his "last" summer, Finn invites a friend to the cottage and is drawn to a strange island that seems to glimmer - but no one else can see it. When he gets close, he's sucked into something he could never have anticipated. Can Finn's friend Cheese help him come to terms with "lights out" . . . or will it take something much more extraordinary?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Vision is just one way of seeing things. There are plenty of others. Pay attention."

I wanted to like this one more than I actually did. It fell flat for me, which was too bad. Points for a believable main character with a disability, and for touching on mental health issues (OCD and anxiety/panic attacks). And Canadian stories are always great! But plot-wise, it was sort of a directionless mess. 2.5 stars, if I could.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is underrated. It's good for such a short book! I'm always generous on my ratings, but I think this book deserves it. It's just a light read that doesn't lay on things too seriously, and I like that. After reading a sad book, having a lighter but still serious-ish novel is quite refreshing! I love this writer's writing style and 100% would read again.

[devynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very interesting way of showing how very big changes can be scary but they will always have a happy ending. As Finn discovers what it feels like both internally and externally to become legally blind. Finn finds a way to stop going blind but he has to give up is real life for the other. Will he give up reality just to see? I rate this book for ages 11-14.

[Vicky Posts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a few years back but I absolutely loved it. You can sympathize with the MC and the choice he is faced with is a truly difficult one. Once I re-read I will update this but I absolutely loved it.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

i literally don't remember much about this book since i read it a loong time ago but it was really intriguing and interesting in the moment!

[crowbar · Rating 4 out of 5]

def has its flaws but sooooo gooooddd read this as a kid (and i think it kickstarted my existential dread) would recommend if you like the game night in the woods

[Kkharvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read the back cover of this book, I had a very different impression on how this book would actually stack up. Although it was an entertaining read, I thought that the meaning that it would carry would be a little more profound.

The allure of the science fiction 'perpetuum' was an interesting storyline, but I found that by using it, much of the depth of the story disappeared with this. It became less of a book about a blind boy's struggle, and more about what one would do with all the time in the world. There was a lot of really nice messages being relayed about what this blindness would cost our main character, but overall it felt overshadowed by the mystic.

I did however enjoy the Canadian wilderness as a setting. The side characters didn't add much for me. I found TAB to be too confusing to understand or like, and Cheese to be a little too much on the pathetic side. There were however some beautiful moments of friendship.

If you are looking for something different, a change of pace from the regular formula that resonates in teen fiction, this is a nice break. I just wish the more profound themes were clearer and given more attention.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finn, an avid cyclist, is rapidly losing his vision, his friends and sometimes his hope. A unique summer adventure with a few new friends restores a lot of what has gone wrong in Finn's life, but the magical discovery Finn makes cannot be shared. Finn needs to make some tough choices along the way and push his limits, both physically and emotionally.

With a few friends that are legally blind, including a go-getter "sports guy", and having met David Carroll last month and hearing him speak passionately about the novel, I felt such a personal connection to Sight Unseen. I enjoyed this novel.

3.5/5 stars.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers will instantly empathize with Finn, avid mountain biker who learns he is going blind. If that isn't enough, Finn is OCD and he repeatedly counts down the time until summer is over and when it will be permanent "lights out". Greiving the loss of all the independance he loves, his summer takes on a magical element when he and his friend Cheese discover a mysterious floating island. This novel's strength and charm lies in the brilliant characters who are entirely realistic and multi-faceted. A win on all counts!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book as much as Ultra, David Carroll's first. Kids will find it easy to empathize with Finn. Who hasn't wanted to run away occasionally? I also loved Finn's quirky friend, Cheese. Frustrating that I have to go to Amazon Canada to purchase this. Makes me wonder how many amazing books I'm missing!

[Jonine Bergen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about Sight Unseen. I really enjoyed the struggle Finn has with the idea of losing his sight and the question of "what if" - what would he be willing to give up to keep his sight? The struggle was real and heart felt. But, in the end, I don't think that Carroll gave him a real choice and that was disappointing.

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good premise & lots of teacher friendly content. I think there were a couple of plot points that weren't concluded well, but the character's struggle is compelling and kids will empathize with him & his challenges.

[Edward B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great! It is odd how much you can relate to someone who`s going blind. David Carroll is a great author. I am sad though at how it ended with

[⌦K8U · Rating 4 out of 5]

i get the message but without consequences, i would love to live in that pocket of time where time doesn't exist. it was such a relatable and brilliant part of the story.