Retina Boy

by Ben Shaberman

Researchers were mystified by the boy from Des Moines born without retinas. Everyone was mesmerized by his luminescent, aquamarine eyes. Retina Boy grew up to be a carefree teenager, played amazing lead guitar in his classic rock cover band. His girlfriend, Marcy, though unable to walk, was the smartest kid in their school. They were a perfect pair: she was his eyes and he was her legs. Never did Retina Boy imagine he was from another planet, and that he and Marcy would be called upon to save the Earth and an alien world of blind inhabitants on the brink of environmental collapse.

222 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

Ben Shaberman's essays, articles, and commentaries have been carried by several prominent media outlets including: The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, VegNews, Vegetarian Times, and NPR. He's also published fiction and creative non-fiction in a number of journals including Empty Mirror, The Good Men Project, Months to Years, and many others.

Shaberman holds a master of arts in writing from Johns Hopkins University.

He is the vice president of science communications for the Foundation Fighting Blindness and host of the Eye on the Cure and Hope in Focus podcasts.

Reviews

[William Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Shaberman impresses once again. His two previous books are collections. Vegan Monologues is a collection of essays and Jerry's Vegan Women is a fictional collection of stories. Both books are packed with wit and humor. Retina Boy really shows Shaberman's skill as a writer capable of crossing genres and creating diverse content. This sustained novel is undoubtedly his most serious literary endeavor yet. Shaberman dives into serious literary fiction with a science fiction plot and an appeal to both young adult and adult readers. Lots of huge philosophical questions hit you throughout this novel about the sustainability of humans and what it means to care for one another on this planet. This is a book I need to read again (in a good way) because of the surreal plot. Read carefully for the hidden gems, since there is rich symbolism you could miss the first time through the narrative. Additionally, there are many scientific facts worked into the narrative. Yet, in the seriousness of the content, there is still a fun, lighthearted, youthful tone.

Retina Boy is a unique story. The aliens on Zooba do not see with their eyes, their planet is on the brink of destruction and they need Earth to survive. Earth is a hair away from being colonized by this alien race. Retina Boy is in a sense the chosen one to save both worlds. But don't discount the importance of Doug Anderson, who is a kind of sacrificial character. Marcy and Jenny are great characters too. Survival of both worlds seems to fall on Marcy. It would be interesting to see what happens to all of them in a sequel. I demand a sequel!

Dual entities. Switched identities. Environment. Humane living. Space. Alien life. Survival. Music as the common bond that brings us all together. I loved this book from page one. The last seventy five pages are a nonstop page-turning race to the end. I was left with this one final question: What if music could save an entire planet from demise?

[David Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaberman turns to young adult fiction, wedding his astute eye for cultural critique to sci-fi/fantasy. As a development officer for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, he's keen on the human narrative of blinding retinal degenerative diseases. That RETINA BOY would first find a home in an audio book is fitting. I've followed Shaberman's career for over 20 years now, and, in full disclosure, he's a friend of mine. This book was a surprise for me. This is an essayist, trained as a poet, whose breezy, urbane style regularly melds veganism, secular Judaism and the usual frustrations around romance (and sex) in subjects as various as dying Volvos, abortive careers in early tech and the adventures of a young man with chronic eczema. His work often finds a home on public radio, the Washington Post (and other periodicals) and in two books about veganism that even an unrepentant omnivore like me can appreciate. RETINA BOY is a ripping good yarn for young readers and aging readers (moi) alike that takes place on more than one sphere and manages to ask existential questions about the quality of life, the meaning of "disability,"... even gender roles and environmental degradation threaded through young heroes / heroines that are rendered with verve and insight. This book is utterly contemporary but quietly upbeat.

[Beth Schelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A “pulls-you-in” from the start genre-breaking delight that promises a lot and delivers even more. Ben Shaberman creates relatable characters dealing with real-world challenges, like growing up with disabilities —as well as ones that are literally out of this world. With a sci-fi bent as cool as Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the story is light and adventurous enough for YA readers yet tackles enough existential questions to keep even the deepest thinkers engaged. Touching on topics including sustainable resources, genetic research, veganism and how we truly see, Shaberman really gives us something truly great in Retina Boy.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retina Boy is an entertaining book with young love, great music, and a lot of heart. On top of being a fun science fiction read, Shaberman offers a glimpse into the real world of vision-saving research, afforded by his professional background in the inherited retinal disease community. This coming-of-age story is full of quirky characters, hope for the future, and even a built-in playlist.

[Moriah Bollman · Rating 1 out of 5]

prob the worst book i’ve ever read bruh. for freshman english the ending was so god awful. no one has ever heard of this book because our english teacher wanted us to form our own opinions…

[Tracy Dishman · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I won this book in a goodreads giveaway to review for my honest opinion*

A boy from Des Moines, Iowa is born without retinas and aquamarine eyes. Come to find out, he is actually from another planet and he was switched at birth to be called upon to save his home planet from extinction.

I felt like the book was too short and I couldn't fully get into it. It needed about 150 extra pages.

[Rupert Nacoste · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice piece of science fiction. Not a duology, not a trilogy, not a series, but a one-shot engaging piece of science fiction. That is Ben Shaberman’s “Retina Boy” This short novel is a thoughtful and thought provoking, well-plotted, well-written and well told story.

Doug is blind at birth. Most striking and unheard of in medical science is that he is blind because of the virtual absence of retinas in his eyes. But that’s because Doug, Retina Boy, is not of this earth. He is a “replacement” by the Zooban’s who are trying to decide whether to invade and take over the earth because their planet is dying from self-inflicted environmental collapse.

Doug, or Retina Boy as his friends eventually call him, grows up thinking he is human. He’s really smart, develops a friendship then romance with a girl-in-a-wheelchair, learns to play the guitar and leads a high-school rock band.

Eventually though the Zooban’s want Retina Boy back to assess his adjustment to the climate of earth. And that story, with all those elements, is used to give us some insights into retinal disease, our own growing mistakes that are killing our environment.

All that told with good humor, laugh out loud moments, that come through the interactions of teenagers and their coming of age struggles.

“Retina Boy” is a nice, engaging, fun piece of science fiction. Highly recommended for any rainy or sunny Saturday.

[Judy Porro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided a copy of this book both hard copy and e-book in exchange for an honest review by the author. Overall, the story was very good. I enjoy science fiction and since I am in vision rehab, I was interested in how the story progressed and how it relates to my vocation. I think the book ended rather abruptly with no real solution to either planet.
I also think that all the 'Z' words were a bit over the top. Perhaps a few other types of words using obscure letters would have added a bit more interest. Also, a lot of the music mentioned would not be contemporary to today's youth. I, personally, enjoyed the referrals to that music era, but I'm not sure that today's teen would appreciate it.
This book was an easy read, which I did like since I have so many other books I want to read! I would recommend it to any other vision rehab-type of person who also appreciates classic rock!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, quirky read. Enjoyed the references to music, environment and genetic testing/trials. Fun storyline to bring the subject of retinal dysfunction to the mainstream.