Truesight

Truesight #1

by David Stahler Jr.

Everyone in Jacob's colony is born blind. It has always been this way. They embrace the philosophy of Blindness brings unity, purity, and freedom. It is an exceptional community. Everyone is happy. As Jacob nears his thirteenth birthday, he anxiously anticipates his new role as an adult and all the changes that will bring. But as the day approaches, a far greater change threatens Jacob's future. It all starts with a searing pain in his eyes ... This is the first book of David Stahler Jr.'s gripping Truesight trilogy. Ages 12+

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopia, Fiction, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Teen

245 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

David Stahler Jr. is a fourth-generation Vermonter who, in addition to writing, teaches at his alma mater, Lyndon Institute, in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

An author of YA Fiction across a variety of genres with an emphasis on the strange and supernatural, his books include the TRUESIGHT trilogy (a science fiction series with a dystopian bent), DOPPELGANGER, A GATHERING OF SHADES, and SPINNING OUT.

His work has received several awards and accolades--including a Best Book Award from the American Library Association, Le Prix Farniente, and numerous state reading list selections--and has been translated into French, Italian, and Chinese.

Reviews

[MizziQ · Rating 3 out of 5]

***SPOILER***SPOILER***SPOILER***SPOILER***SPOILER***SPOILER***

This book reminded me a lot of The Giver by Lois Lowry, so if you liked that than you will most likely enjoy this. This was a pretty short book but I enjoyed it. It was very strange though. Joshua (the main character) begins to gain sight, which he has never had before, and shoudn't have. The time is in the future and Joshua lives in a community that embraces "truesight", a new way of seeing things, without ever seeing them. To embrace emotions and people, not good looks or hairstyles. So that you would like someone for their heart, not for their outer beauty. This all sounds nice on the outside, but as Joshua soon finds out, there is much more to true sight than meets the eye (pun totally intended). Why is everyone so content with this life? When Joshua gains his sight (the normal kind--with eyes)he realizes all the things the leaders are abscuring from his eyes, and every one elses. Beauty in all shapes, sizes and colors. Yes he is distracted like the leaders said you would be with sight. But he notices the diffrence in everybody's deminor. Do his parents REALLY love each other? Are the leaders hiding more than even Joshua knows? What TRULY became of his best friend who supposedly died? All these questions, Joshua yearns for an answer to. Just as the leaders find out about this abnormality (Joshua gaining his sight) and try to remove it, Joshua finds out something terrible. Two things to be exact. Oh wait no three. 1- His best friend escaped Truesight 2- The head leader is having an affair with his mother 3- The head leader can see, just like Jonah. Why? How long? Does anybody else know? How will Joshua escape? The book leaves us wondering these same questions as Joshua runs off into the dimming sky... though know one else notices. The author than leaves us to gather this information in the sequel in this exciting trilogy.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A colony planet where everyone is blind due to medical procedure, genetic whatever manipulation. The society is cultish. This is about a kid growing up in that community who rather suddenly gains the ability to see. He angsts about this and eventually it gets him into trouble.

It's an interesting book and an okay read. It suffers a little for being part of a trilogy.

One quibble I had with it is that once genetic modification became really popular and people were making super-awesome, designer kids, the supposedly _first_ group with a 'disability' who wanted to make kids that way were a blind couple? I just don't see that happening. I think the Deaf would be the first ones to take that route. They have a shared language which defines much more of a culture and community.

The largest problem though is that somewhere around the middle, and definitely toward the end, I saw blindness and seeing as a big old metaphor. This kid can now see, so he starts to 'see' the corruption and lies and the not-so-pretty aspects of his community. Which you can take as a larger view that he becomes a teenager on his way to being an adult. And I just wonder, did he really need to be able to literally see to realize all these things?

So the book and the idea started out cool, but then, to me, got undermined by the end of the book.

[Lisa Goldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this Science fiction book off a recommendation off my middle schooler, who read it for Reading Olympics. It is well-written. There were some slow parts and I wasn't complete sold on the idea of people wanting to stay blind. Perhaps, since many of them were born blind, they had no comparison and it works. It leaves off in a cliffhanger. I will be picking up the next book. I had a good discussion with my child.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty solid. Got a bit lost on who was who due to official titles vs names used. Had this saved on my list back from my tumblr days so I’m glad 8 years later it held up.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy dystopia novels or movies, this is worth a read. It is similar to the Giver, however the next 2 in the series go a totally different way that the 2 others in the Giver trilogy. It's an interesting concept, this community based on blindness in order to truly 'see'...even more interesting to consider what things aren't 'seen' as the main character soon finds out. Lots of great discussions in my classroom & an easy read.

[Allison Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

True sight by David stahler jr. is such a good story because the main character named jacob mostly all his live he has been blind just like his colony and his sister and mother colony. Everyone there was born blind.his story was a great story and I think everyone who love books were the main character different from the rest of the people.this book is such a thriller because of how much suspense it has. And it has many twist and turns when you think something happen but something else happens,they all try to run away from there problems by taking away the sight that Jacob had earned in the following months when he turned thirteen years old. So yes this is a awesome book I loved it from beginning to the end and each part was surprising!

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first of this futuristic trilogy we're introduced to 12 year old Jacob. He lives with his family in a space colony, Harmony, where everyone is born blind, the thought of sight almost an abomination and the belief being that 'true' sight leads to crime and dishonesty. Little do they know! An extremely creative story with a very distinctive protagonist emerging and growing as he turns 13 and his world changes irrevocably. Liked it a lot

[Lillian Yu · Rating 1 out of 5]

The community was cult-like, and it was like I could guess before the reveal that the community was bad. It took several pages for it to get semi-exciting, and I wondered what the plot was. Like what others said, it reminded me of The Giver.

[J Wren · Rating 2 out of 5]

i can not point out anything bad about this book, and yet it lacked that spark that would have really made it good....

[Addison Foster · Rating 1 out of 5]

worst book ever.

[Olivia Benton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh.

[Bees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Not a fan of the cover....(-; Still, its what's inside that matters (Still, that cover!!)

[Keean Saadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine a world where those with vision are considered obsessed with the unnecessary and cannot comprehend the true meaning of what life has to offer. In David Stahler Jr’s dystopian, sci-fi novel: TRUESIGHT, the humans in the colony of Harmony on planet Nova Campi believes that “[b]lindness is purity. Blindness is unity. Blindness is freedom” (Stahler Jr. 53). To Jacob, the protagonist, this is all he’s known since he was born, and he too has no problem being blind. However, the world he once knew begins to reveal hidden truths that he just cannot reconcile, and he will drastically change in a way that the colony of Harmony has never seen before. For Jacob, his life takes a turn for the worse on his thirteenth birthday, when he begins to have an unbearable pain in his eyes.
The pain, which dissipates only to return, foreshadows his growing ability to see. Apprehensive about what to do with his newfound ability, Jacob covertly takes advantage of his sight, but it comes with a price as he begins to uncover the injustice within the colony itself, especially in the moment he witnesses a starving, sickly man steal food from the storehouses during a Gathering. It is then he realizes that contrary to what is professed by the leaders of Harmony, not everyone is provided for equally. The images of injustice are emblazoned into his head, and he just cannot seem to remove them, which only urges him to want to know the truth about Harmony even more. But, he must proceed with caution, lest people discover he is a ‘Seer’ and try to remove his sight— permanently.
David Stahler Jr. has done a masterful job in developing Jacob as a dynamic, ever-changing character throughout the novel. He begins as the innocent, naive, blind boy and eventually transforms into a ‘Seer’, who realizes the horrors of his own reality. Throughout the novel, his characterization was so methodically developed that I, personally, felt that the author hit the nail on the head when it came to grabbing my emotions and making me feel the suspense as Jacob continued his quest to find the truth, and risk his life in the process. Through Jacob’s pilgrimage for the truth, the author reveals the theme that one must look beyond what society projects and people accept, to search for the reality that lies beneath. He makes this point clear by having the masses “blindly” accept the government's propaganda and being fearful of those who “see”. In the words of the high counselor himself: “‘Sometimes, Jacob, we have to lie to serve a greater truth’” (Stahler Jr. 178) Moreover, Stahler really pushes the limit in keeping the reader in suspense when the council finally decides the fate of Jacob after finding out he has sight. Shock and panic gripped my soul the moment the high counselor spoke the words of: “The council has decided that Jacob will [have]... surgery to remove his eyesight” (Pg # 163). This monumental moment signified the possible end of Jacob’s journey, leaving him only with questions rather than answers as to what truth lies underneath the facade Harmony portrays. Possibly, Jacob may never know if there was more to the existence of the colony of Harmony than he ever knew.

[Makenna Hohbein · Rating 3 out of 5]

****MAY BE SPOILERS****
Summary: Everyone who is in the colony of Harmony is born blind. Each person has a sounder, a device that emits a certain noise when within a certain distance of another person. When a kid turns thirteen, they are assigned a position (job). But in the short time leading up to Jacob's birthday, he begins getting pain in his eyes, along with seeing light.

What I liked: I am a fan of futuristic/dystopian novels, and this novel is set in the future. I enjoyed the use of dialogue between characters, it helped improve the story and make it more interesting. During Jacob's eye aches, the author used strong adjectives to explain the pain he was feeling, which made me want to keep reading to see what happened afterward. Stahler included other nearby towns in the story, in these towns, everyone could see. Personally, the inclusion of other towns different than Harmony helped me better understand the difference between Harmony and the other colonies. I appreciated Stahler including the dialogue happening within Jacob's head. Such as when he started to see light and shadows, he was arguing within his head saying there was no way he could be able to see, but another part of him knows it is sight.

What I did not like: Although the story was set in the future, I could only picture it as being in a town from many years ago, such as the 1950s. There weren't a lot of futuristic devices included, except for the sounders and the finders (a tool to find others). Besides the adventurous parts of the story such as Jacob starting to see light, the book was slightly boring. At some points, I found it difficult to continue reading because I felt the chapters sometimes rolled along with no substance. The author included some pages in certain chapters that I viewed as unnecessary and boring. Also, the fact that children are assigned roles at thirteen maybe slightly copied from "The Giver", nonetheless it is a good addition to the story, but it could have been changed a bit. Overall it was a decent book, just several boring areas.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good teen story, filled with virtue, action, and questioning authority. The main character is a real hero, but within the measure of any caring teenager.

The story: a planetary colony has been established for the blind, not as a place for the handicapped, but as a virtue, a philosophy. Without the distraction of sight, one can attain truesight. Of course, they need the help of some technology and occassional input from the sighted, but the sighted are really "looked down upon" so to speak. Jacob is nearing the age of 13 when he will receive his life assignment. His father is a farmer. His mother is a music teacher and virtuoso. What will he be? Then tragedy strikes. Suddenly he can see! If anyone finds out, he will be shunned. But with sight he discovers a number of secrets that were right in front of him the whole time.

Any problems with this story? Nothing really. The author is describing a world similar to a communist society. Individuals sacrifice their own personal desires for the whole community. Everyone is equal, but unfortunately, some people are more equal than others, and one girl, Jacob's friend, wants to leave the colony.

Any modesty issues? Adultery amongst the adults is suggested, but the issue is not pursued in the story. Nevertheless, the main character starts thinking that there may be a lot of things going on in the colony that are forbidden by the rules, but are nevertheless going on.

The ending is somewhat of a cliffhanger. Not quite, but close. Luckily, the audiobook I was listening to included chapter one of the next book in the series, "The Seer". It is a substantial addition and makes for a satisfactory transition.

[Chris Lutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Truesight
Author: David Stahler Jr.
Illustrator:
Genre: Science Fiction
Theme(s): Everyone is hiding something, We are all blind to certain parts of society
Opening line/sentence: “Ow! You’re hurting me!”
Brief Book Summary: Jacob is a 13 year old boy who lives in a Utopian society which bases its colonial laws off of a philosophy called truesight. They bioengineer each person at birth to be born blind so that they don’t fall into the traps of deceit and judgement that vision brings. Jacob mysteriously gains sight though and now can see of all the problems with the government that were never mentioned to the public when he was blind.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Paula Rohrlick (KLIATT Review, January 2004 (Vol. 38, No. 1))
In the isolated community of Harmony Station, on the planet of Nova Campi, everyone is blind--a deliberate act of genetic engineering. Sight is considered "a deception, a distraction," and the members of Harmony value the social good above individualism. Jacob has always been an obedient child, willing to accept the community's many rules. At almost 13, he is just about to graduate from school and discover what specialization in life the council will choose for him. However, his faith in his world is shaken when an older girl he admires tries to reject its lifestyle and attempts to run away. When Jacob mysteriously begins to gain sight, he starts to question Harmony's values even more. His new vision enables him to see the corruption that underlies the community, and in the end he chooses to reject it and run away too, to save himself. Reminiscent of The Giver (perhaps a bit derivative) in its portrait of a controlled--and controlling--society, this SF coming-of-age novel will intrigue younger YAs. Tension mounts as Jacob starts to wonder about the world he had always taken for granted, starts to break its rules and comes into conflict with his parents and the authorities, and learns to appreciate the gift of sight. A strong debut novel. Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: J--Recommended for junior high school students. 2004, HarperCollins/Eos, 192p., $15.99 and $16.89. Ages 12 to 15.
(PUBLISHER: Eos (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2004.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Timothy Brennan (VOYA, April 2004 (Vol. 27, No. 1))
Stahler builds his story on a truly interesting premise filled with possibility: A colony of future Earthlings uses genetic engineering to actively choose to live life blind. It is a notion filled with potential. Into this well-portrayed but unusual colony, a dark and dreary place devoid of light, the author places a good cast of characters. The protagonist Jacob goes about his schoolwork and chores; his mother teaches music to the high councilor's daughter, Delaney; and the central conflicts become apparent. Delaney is profoundly unhappy being blind and wishes that she could see. Jacob, on the other hand, is slowly developing his sense of sight. While Delaney longs to see, Jacob is shocked to begin to get a feel for what a sighted world would be like. Unfortunately the story's premise never really develops any depth. There are no fascinating insights about anything that makes life different for this race of blind persons intellectually or emotionally. There is no amazing sharpening of senses, skills, or philosophical enlightenment that is the byproduct of this dramatic alteration of the senses. During his brief time of sight, Jacob makes a few rather mundane discoveries: Farm workers occasionally steal fruit that they pick, others steal food where they can, and some are unfaithful to their spouses. What seems like a very interesting idea ends up being only a mildly engaging story. VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P M J (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2004, HarperCollins, 192p., $15.99 and PLB $16.89. Ages 11 to 15.
(PUBLISHER: Eos (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2004.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I’m a little surprised how badly the second professional reviews this book. While I agree there are areas that he mentioned where it could be developed more, I think it would have taken away from the enlightenment that Jacob receives from sight. The corruption that Jacob comes across as being the “mundane discoveries” according to the second reviewer are more notable when looking through the eyes of someone so naïve and obedient as this 12 going on 13 year old so I don’t have any problem with this character finding those things to be shocking. I think the length of book would be perfect for an upper grade reader right around 165 pages without it becoming overwhelming to look at.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is one that I wrote about for my written critique to use for a lesson on vision impairment because of the literary elements. The symbolism and figurative language is excellent to help demonstrate the different details that people with vision impairment focus on since they cannot use sight to describe the scenes. The symbolism and reverse roles for character point of view makes it easy to identify and relate to Jacob. He feels isolated because of his sight which is a reverse role of someone who might feel isolated in our culture from being blind.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would really like to do a unit on diversity and inclusion for students and people with vision impairment. There are some lessons like learning how to use braille or guide students with vision impairment that would be useful for students to learn how to help blind culture be included in their future classrooms. I would also like to have discussion circles to dig deeper in the symbolism within the book since there’s so much good stuff to pick apart that I found myself thinking about as a reader. I think overall this book just does an excellent job of forcing students to predict what will happen next, and engaging them to learn about the culture that the truesight philosophy creates.

[Karl Orbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was something I stumbled upon, free during CV to listen to. The premise seemed interesting material, so risked it - very glad I did.

It follows a standard sci-fi trope, remote colony living in a slightly back-to-basics way, eschewing some of the trappings of modernity for religious or similar reasons. Well the trapping this colony eschews is their sight! Deliberate blindness, so that they do without the vanity and overpowering corruption that comes with the sensual nature of vision. Basically expanding on the occasional voices we have today from within the deaf or blind communities where they wish their children to be born "like them" so they fit in to their very specialised group - but taken further to consider the alternative bad.

Anyhow, the action follows a young lad, Jacob, who has his doubts about this and things change for him, causing trouble and rifts in the community.

Although slightly insubstantial in storyline, it's well written and the thought that has gone in to how this blind community exists, lives and goes about its business is really worth hearing. As is the perspective of sight from the point of view of someone born blind.

Only slight hassle, the book ends on a cliffhanger and the sequels are not free, guess a couple of credits will fall in their direction in coming months!

Voice acting took me awhile to get used to, but is ultimately pretty good.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing in all aspects. The premise was interesting; often times in books the main character has something different from the beginning and has always been an outcast. In this book, however, the character seems normal, and doesn’t even realize changes in himself until they have already occurred. Since everyone else in the colony of Harmony is blind, they don’t realize the change (and possible imminent danger) until he lets it be known, and after that they attempt to “restore” (eh, I don’t see it (PUN SO INTENDED)). The main character, Jacob, has plenty of personality. He wishes to be free of the constraints that his blindness brings him, although the other citizens of Harmony see blindness (or, as they call it, Truesight, hence the name of the novel) as a strength and benefit. He also wants to be ridden of the guilt he is wrought with, over the death of the High Counciller’s daughter, Delaney. Overall this book was amazing, like I said before.

[Danay Orton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was really similar to The Giver, but not nearly as good. The thing that really ruined this book for me was that as soon as he could see he was describing things in color. Things like " I'm really attracted to the yellow flowers with black centers" Like how would he know what color was what when he's been blind his entire life and no one else around him that can also see to teach him things. It was just poorly written. Disappointed. It stared out really good and I was excited to read it . On the bright side it was a really easy read and only took a few hours to read.

[Brennen DIT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty good. Short story not too long to get into the action. This book is about Jacob who lives in a colony where everybody is blind. At the age of 13 he regains his sight but he doesn't want to tell anyone in fear of it getting removed or having to be banished from the colony. But once they figure out, Jacob runs away from the colony. This short summary is basically the whole book but with some details left out. I would recommend this book if you want a book that's short and nice.

[GabriellaKaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read the first couple of pages in this book I was really interested. I thought that reading about a blind boy in a blind community mysteriously being able to see one day was a great plot. Sadly, this book was not what I was expecting. It did not live up to it's fullest potential. I thought that it took more than half the book to actually get to the main idea. The book was boring and I wish it had more of a plot. Although this novel may be for you, sadly it wasn't for me.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some technical difficulties that need to be ignored to enjoy this story. The major one is the brain's ability to interpret the signals that come from eyes. The person would have no reference to infer that the sky is blue or his mother is blond. The person would have no concept of colors. But, I like sci-fi, and have a lot of experience just going with the author on their concept. The story revolves around social issues not technical ones. Still, I enjoyed this story.

[P.M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book tucked away on a shelf and thought it might be interesting. The premise was promising (people choosing to be blind to enable them to find Truesight - their utopia). However, once Jacob, the 13-year-old main character, becomes sighted, all the rotten secrets are visible. I wanted to like this more than I did but Jacob's parents were horrible. I hope he finds happiness in the next book but I am not reading it.

[Someone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has a very interesting concept, a society where “everyone” is born blind. But as soon as the protagonist gains his sight somehow, everything is relatively predictable, especially since the author limited himself with a cast who is mostly blind. Overall, it is a good book for those who like sci-fi or alterate realities where everything is the same except for a few things.

[Jolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly unique story, really inspiring. There were a couple of things that were predictable but they were revealed in a way that makes you feel proud to have foreseen it. All the characters are quite distinct. Most of all the narrative description throughout the story is top tier. Can't wait to listen to The Seer

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents an amazingly creative look at the secrets people keep. It has a dystopian feel, but also a psychological tone. Do I give in to groupthink or do I dare step outside the group? The book also reveals the deceptions that are always there but that we choose to ignore.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to audible for letting us stream for free during the pandemic. I would probably continue on in this series. And I would probably recommend it. It is an interesting idea and it was enjoyable enough. I am curious what is happening with the boy and girl.

[Željko Filipin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why the setting of this book is on another planet. Everything in the book could happen on Earth. It's a story about a kid growing up in a colony of blind people, but he starts to see. Interesting idea. Not really interesting book.

[Michelle Bebbington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this as part of my subscription on Audible, I was pleasantly surprised as most of the free stuff is either very old or lower quality. This one gripped me and I'm now listening to the other 2 in the series which are also good.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Olympics book