I was quite saddened to read that the other primary plot line--the apparent suicide of a young man--was drawn from an awful tragedy that took place within his own family. As much as I hate to say it, though, even learning that fact made me question what this author's capacity is to simply IMAGINE.

My awfulized assumptions about Blindness had felt like immutable truths, inescapable reality.” pg. 65 I don't mind multiple perspectives. In fact, I welcome them. But the shifting POVs from first-person to third-person, and to different characters, was confusing. Especially because it was not mentioned in the chapter heading. Every few chapters I'm left with "Who is this again?!?!" rahatlıkla söyleyebilirim ki yazarın kalemi çok akıcı ve insanı kitaba kesinlikle bağlıyor. Merak uyandırıcı bir anlatımı söz konusu. Aslında kitapta olabilecek katil veya katilleri az çok tahmin edebiliyorsunuz ancak gidişatı ve konuyu nasıl bağlayacağını merak etmemek imkansız. And another faint whiff of contradiction comes from the fact that another collaborator, Michael Herr, received no criticism for sharing recollections of private conversations and moments in a series of articles for Vanity Fair (later collected into a book). One wonders if it's because Herr's was far more flattering of its subject. For some reason, all of Jay's "guesses" turn out to be correct, or somehow turn into truths as the story progresses. The witnesses claim to be unsure of the suspect's gender. Along the way, the suspicions are dropped, and everyone believes the suspect is a woman...because a doctor (who didn't even speak to the witness) suspected it.Eyes Wide Open is about overcoming obstacles. It presents a mindset on how to do it. Most of all, it’s an encouraging and captivating book. Just imagine Isaac Lindsky, the author of the book, who as a blind person, graduated from Harvard Law School, worked for a top Manhattan law firm, and successfully salvaged a failing business and transformed it into a multimillion business. Evan, a deranged kid in his Early Twenties jumps off a cliff (which later holds to be false) in the beginning of the story. Now, the file would have garnered dust if it weren't for two things: the inquisitiveness of the Deceased's Uncle and the undying faith of a Mother believing that her Son didn't kill himself. Everyone should read this book. It has amazing storytelling and a great message everyone should hear. The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of... We know the truth not only by the reason, but by the heart." - Blaise Pascal”

Without sight to guide him, Isaac Lidsky gives us a book of extraordinary vision about how to make best use of our talents. Read, savor, and grow!”

Charlie, in his prime, was a quondam wayward who falls into the trap of the Cult, mostly for free intoxicants. Charlie and Jay's father was equally a shady figure who had a lot of altercations with Charlie, one who'd vowed to kill him. Charlie lives in a dingy apartment with his wife and is a derelict. If you read nothing else, DO NOT MISS CHAPTER 8! In this chapter, Isaac explains that “Going blind opened wide my heart.” He now experienced and felt kindness all around him—had had gotten “heart sight.” The author’s vulnerability actually opened him up to new possibilities. He could apprehend things and people he had taken for granted before: “I felt it in random strangers who helped me. I felt it in friends who labored to understand. I felt it in my sisters who sought to protect me. . . They taught me to see with my heart, and I feel in love with the view. Joy, grace, beauty, and beneficence are everywhere if you choose to see them.” Gross, in this Chef d'oeuvre of his, lays out the suspense magnificently. It starts with a simple act of deliberation (a suicide) which later, throws the reader imperceptibly into a lot of unravelling. If you are looking for details about his time on Saved by the Bell: The New Class you will not get it. He does talk about the audition process but that's it. It's his claim to fame for many book buyers and they will be disappointed.

Polisiye kitaplarda her zaman dedektif karakteri ön planda olmalı bana göre. Ama bir ya da birden fazla cinayeti araştıracak olan dedektif olmalıyken, bazılarında diğer karakter dedektifin önüne geçince o kitap benim gözümde polisiye olmaktan çıkıyor. Dedektif salak da sen mi çözüyorsun bu olayı demek istiyorum. Kupa Valesi de böyle bir kitap. Ölen çocuğun amcası olan Doktor, olayları çözmeye çalışıyor ve dedektife akıl veren de, kanıt bulan da, olayları birleştiren de neredeyse çoğunluk o. Böyle durumlarda da okurken soğumaya başlıyorum kitaptan. Yazarın sadece Kafes kitabını okuyup çok beğenmememe rağmen ikinci bir şans vermek istedim. Ama yine aynı gereksiz uzatmalar da eklenince üzerine maalesef bir daha okumayacağım bu yazarı. Çünkü çok daha iyi yazarlara haksızlık etmiş olacağım. In the seeing with the heart chapter he covered many topics and examples on what that means, but this quote stood out to me. Throughout his entire life, Isaac has proven time and time again that anything is possible, no matter the circumstance. His story is one of true strength, perseverance, and hope—one that we can all learn something from. Isaac’s journey will encourage many to think with limitless boundaries and go after their dreams, no matter how big.” In Eyes Wide Open, Isaac captures the essence of exceptional living and leadership through the lenses of inner vision and aspiration. True perspective is an active pursuit. I learned much from this book and will approach my life and my work with my eyes wider open!” The author recounts his many struggles with RP and his plan to just solve the problem logically—just like it were some math problem. Of course, that didn’t work, and Isaac was forced to face circumstances that weren’t as simple as solving a geometry problem. The author began to see how to better use his other senses. He makes it clear that his hearing is not actually more acute than sighted people—it’s just he uses it more effectively: “I gained heightened abilities of perception employing my other senses.” As a result, “Eyes wide open became my powerful philosophy and active daily strategy.”One of the most annoying parts of the novel is Jay's numerous phone calls to his over-reacting wife. He's only gone for a week, and she's already freaking out. Gosh, woman! Calm down! It's ONLY been a week. I thought at any point she would be filing for divorce. His I'm-not-going-to-tell-my-wife-anything-because-she-won't-understand attitude doesn't help matters either. What kind of marriage is this? I'm supposed to like this guy? Really? As an insight into the working methods of one of the great artists of the twentieth century, and for anyone with an interest in cinema, this is a riveting read.

So all in all, I found EYES WIDE OPEN to be an interesting read—especially the inspiring Chapter 8, “Heart Wide Open.” Keep in mind this really isn’t a “How to” book for blind people. It’s really more a philosophy of life, related by someone who has faced a massive challenge, and learned to make the best of it. The sections appear to be independently written essays. This makes the read seem a little disconnected, and hurts continuity somewhat. Nevertheless, the author's encouraging words and especially his worldview come though loud and clear. The author closes the book with this admonition: “Count your blessings, not your burdens. Live with grace, not greed.” All in all, it is a twisty tale. Astonishingly, it is based on the true story of Gross' own nephew and his suspicious suicide. But, unfortunately it lags a lot and many threads of evidence were too thin to hold my attention. In our personal and professional lives, we can all benefit greatly from Isaac Lidsky’s clarity of vision. Eyes Wide Open is a joy to read and to learn from. It is rich with valuable lessons to improve ourselves, our relationships, and our businesses.” The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing is to be taken too seriously.” “You can think best when you're happiest.” Samuel Butler

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Fear has a tendency to give us tunnel vision—we fill the unknown with our worst imaginings and cling to what’s familiar. But when confronted with new challenges, we need to think more broadly and adapt. When Isaac Lidsky learned that he was beginning to go blind at age thirteen, eventually losing his sight entirely by the time he was twenty-five, he initially thought that blindness would mean an end to his early success and his hopes for the future. Paradoxically, losing his sight gave him the vision to take responsibility for his reality and thrive. Lidsky graduated from Harvard College at age nineteen, served as a Supreme Court law clerk, fathered four children, and turned a failing construction subcontractor into a highly profitable business. Much of that process, he says, comes with the realization that we don't see with our eyes, but rather with our brains. "Living with your eyes open and living eyes wide open are very different," he posits - and outlines how readers can follow his example. The most meaningful take-away for me, I think, is that, "You will never control tomorrow, but you can always choose whether to act today, and how." Jay Erlich's nephew has been found at the bottom of a cliff at Morrow Bay. It's all just a tragic suicide, until secrets from the past begin to rear up again. Did a notorious killer, jailed for many decades, have his hand in this? Gross mixes many more significant characters, like the abettors of the Cult formed by its leader: Russel Houvnanian. Dr. Jay Erlich's life is perfect: a wife and children he loves; a successful career. But a call comes that changes everything. His troubled nephew, Evan, has killed himself and Jay′s brother is in despair.