Update (April 22, 2019) Southern Comfort, my novel with a blind character, came out earlier this year. I happened to recall my old blog post and wanted to let all know about this wonderful, deep, thought-provoking love tale!
I haven’t read the first two books listed below, but I do plan on buying them and reading them sometime in the future and featuring them on my blog. The reason they interest me is because both books have a blind person as the main character. Also, I think it’s a strange coincidence that both books were released in June by two different publishers! Just odd, that’s all. I’m not saying it implies anything, but I have to wonder if more Christian publishers would be open to the idea of having a blind protagonist in the novel. I’m under the impression that I’m having a hard time finding an agent for my novel because of the blindness in the novel, but, it’s just purely speculation on my part.
I’m currently working on a contemporary fiction novel with a blind male character. I’ve recently had two agents to show interest from my sample chapters and proposal, one agent said that the way I wrote the story from Carl’s (my blind hero) POV was startlingly realistic since I used no visuals and she requested the full manuscript. However, she warned me that it might be a hard sell, and she was interested in me as a writer (like where did I see my career in the long run.) The other agent rejected it yesterday. She said she was impressed with my writing, but said she was having a lot of trouble selling literary fiction these days. I don’t really think of my novel as literary, but, go figure! She went on to say that she’d be happy to represent me for romances that I wrote in the future, though. I’ve been searching off and on for an agent over the last year or so for this project, and, so far, they have glowing things to say about the manuscript, but don’t offer representation. Sometimes, they’ll offer to look at another project, or, they’ll say they don’t see a place in the market for this novel. This book is my special baby, and I want to give birth to it! Since this novel is not contracted, I’m going to have to abandon working on it until August. I need to switch gears and work on the novel that Barbour has contracted from me that is due August 1. I’m hoping to have the full manuscript completed by the time of the conference. I would have completed this project sooner, however, when Barbour offered me contracts on three novels, I had to abandon my baby and only work on it as time allowed.
The reason why this book is special to me is because I’m using bits and pieces of my husband’s life interspersed within the story. I know a lot about blindness because my hubby is totally blind, and he works for the federal government as a computer programmer. So, I have knowledge about blind people in the working world, the special equipment they’d use, and the way their daily life may be. I believe that is why I was able to portray my hero so realistically.
I do recall reading a novel with a blind heroine in the Amish community a long time ago. It was a Beverly Lewis novel. I also have that novel listed below. Like the other ones listed, this character loses her sight later in life.
Have any of you read any other Christian fiction with blind protagonists? If so, what are the titles and who are the authors? I want to add them to my to-be-read pile.
This whole subject came to mind for my blog when Marlo Schalesky was a guest on one of my writers’ loops for a week. We read her bio and were invited to ask her questions. When I read about her books, I had lots of questions for her! I’m looking forward to reading her novels in the future. When I read that the character in her current book was going blind, I asked her how hard it was to write from that point of view.
Then, last Friday, I was going through the registration process for the ACFW conference in Minneapolis. As I was researching different publishers’ websites to help me decide which editors I should request an appointment with, I found the book entitled Together.
My novel differs from the ones listed below because my male protagonist was born blind, so I’m writing from the viewpoint from somebody who has never had any vision. It’s a bit of a challenge writing this way because I have to rely on all the other senses when I’m in his point of view.
Do any of you think you’d like to read a book written like this? I have another point of view from the heroine, who is sighted. I don’t think I could have written a full 400-page novel from one viewpoint! Although I’ve seen this done!
Also, if you’ve read any of the novels listed below, feel free to leave your comments about those, too. I will be posting the winners to my last drawing either tomorrow or later this week.
Together
A Novel of Shared Vision
Jacketed Hardcover
By Tom Sullivan
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595544569
ISBN-13: 978-1595544568
From Amazon.com
Sometimes you can’t see what matters most until it’s gone.
Brenden McCarthy feels like he’s lost everything. His fiancee. His
independence. And his passion for life. All due to one tragic misstep
while mountain climbing that cost him his sight.
But he’s about to gain the last thing he ever expected.
A big-hearted black Labrador named Nelson who’s given one last shot at
being a Seeing Eye dog.
Both are beyond hope and resigned to live alone. And both are about to
experience a bond of friendship that develops when they least expect
it.
Together is a heartwarming story for anyone who’s ever lost sight of
what matters most in life . . . but has hope that there’s more.
Beyond The Night
by Marlo Schalesky
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Books (June 17, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601420161
ISBN-13: 978-1601420169
From Amazon.com
Product Description
They say love is blind. This time they’re right…
As a woman lies unconscious in a hospital bed, her husband waits beside
her, urging her to wake up and come home. Between them lies an ocean of
fear and the tenuous grip of memories long past. Memories of wonder. Of
love. Memories of a girl named Madison and a boy named Paul…
Madison Foster knew she was going blind. But she didn’t want
pity–not from her mother, not from her roommate, and especially not
from her best friend Paul–the man she secretly loved.
Paul Tilden knew a good thing when he saw it. And a good thing was his
friendship with Maddie Foster. That is, until he started to fall in
love.
With the music of the seventies as their soundtrack and its groovy
fashions as their scenery, Maddie and Paul were drawn together and
driven apart. Then one night changed everything…forever.
And only now, when life tiptoes past the edge of yesterday, along the
rim of today, can they glimpse the beauty that awaits them…beyond the
night.
The Crossroad by Beverly Lewis
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Repack edition (January 1, 2007) THIS IS THE REPACK EDITION. I READ THIS NOVEL WAY BEFORE 2007, SO IT WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
Language: English
ISBN-10: 076420341X
ISBN-13: 978-0764203411
Book Description
After the dramatic conclusion to his discovery of a long-lost postcard, journalist Philip Bradley simply cannot forget the Amish people he met while on assignment in Pennsylvania–particularly Rachel Yoder and her young daughter, Annie. Rachel’s cheerful outlook, in spite of her blindness, and her appealing, uncomplicated lifestyle beckon Philip amid the high-paced existence of his New York career. Philip’s newfound knowledge of the true reason for Rachel’s loss of sight spurs him on to uncover what he can about the possibility for a cure. In Lancaster County, Rachel has her own ideas about the way her vision might be restored, and it doesn’t include the local healer and his black box. Now, Rachel firmly believes the God she serves is the only One who can grant her sight, but as the memories of the trauma she suffered begin to resurface, Rachel questions whether she can bear the agonizing road to recovery. Drawn back to Lancaster County over the Christmas holidays, Philip struggles with the vast gulf separating him from the beautiful Plain woman. Rachel has suffered unbearable heartache; will his growing affection for her only bring more of the same? Or must Philip and Rachel sacrifice a future together for the sake of all they know and love?
I have read the Beverly Lewis book, but not the other 2. I am trying to think of any other books I have read with blind characters in them, but none are coming to mind. I love books that are real to life and so having characters with any special needs or disabilities is a good thing to me. I am currently reading a mystery and one of the characters is mentally challenged. They call him slow in the book. We have a dear friend here and the book’s character talks and acts so much like him. I love it. It adds a richer dimension to the world the author has created. There is a series by Gary Smalley and Catherine Palmer (the Seasons of Marriage series) and one of the characters has a mental handicap. They do a great job of including him in their world without being patronizing or insulting.
I am looking forward to reading your future books. I know they will be great!
Barb C.
Hi, Cecelia. I pray that you’ll run into more positive responses for your “baby.” It’s great to hear the word, literary , attached to your work. In addition to Christian love stories, which I only started reading back in the 1990s, I love trying to read the works that are considered–deep–, too.
It’s interesting how in marriage, both husband and wife’s history and experiences can inspire the other’s imagination and work.
I’ve never read a Christian fiction novel (or any novel, not even the ones you listed) with a blind protagonist, but I’m sure I’d be able to follow the story with those other senses. That’s the thing I love about reading books. I get to use my imagination and feel what the characters feel.
To answer your last question, I’d love to read such a book. For me, it just depends on what the story is about.
I pray that all goes well for your Barbour titles, too, and that you’ll finally get the agent you need. God bless.
–Nedra
P.S. Honestly, once I’ve read one book that I like (like First Mates), I tend to like all the books the author writes. My husband and I both read so much that it’s hard to keep up with all our favorite authors’ new books. Be blessed.–NS
Hi Cecelia,
I say write the book of your heart and let the Lord make room for it. It sounds like a story we, “the seeing”, need to read. I love to learn new things and gain empathy for certain situations. I believe it brings us all a little closer to heaven. I’m praying that this story find a home, so please tell it.
I haven’t read any of the books you mentioned, nor can I think of others with a main character who was blind. But I will now be looking for these.
In answer to your question, I would definitely read your book – as long as it’s not sci-fi, fantasy or terror, that is! A literary or deeper book such as you described would be welcome.
I’m not a writer, but I understand how you feel about birthing this book, Cecelia. I pray that you will find time to finish it, and that God will connect you with the right agent.
Hello,
My name is Emmanuel Iduma. I am a Nigerian writer and I like to think I write literary works. Anyway, I am unpublished yet and the idea I have for my first novel has amnogst other things a blind major character.
Have you placed your work yet? I would be interested in seeing it or knowing how I can grab a copy. I would also be interested in sharing ideas on the subject.
My email address is emmaiduma@yahoo.com and I look foward to hearing from you.
Hi, Emmanuel. Thanks for commenting. This particular novel is not finished yet, so I have not found a home for it. However, it has been requested by 2 literary agents, so, after it’s completed, I’m hoping that one of the agents can find a home for my work. Also, my current release, John’s Quest, has a blind secondary character. You might want to read that novel if you want to see how I portray a blind person in a novel.
I would definitely be interested in reading the book when it is published. That’s awesome you are getting such great feedback. Someone will pick it up I’m sure.
Many blessings to you!
Try American Anthem by B.J. Hoff. It is a wonderful Christian book with a male protagonist who is adventitiously blind. I’ve read it several times through, I love it so much!
Meri
Thanks for the suggestion, Anonymous. I’ll keep American Anthem in mind!
Hi Cecelia,
I am to write an article on the topic of “visuality and literature” for a magazine, so I was thinking about how important visuality is for a work of fiction, and the idea of a novel with a blind protagonist came into my mind, as that kind of a work would definitely show how important visuality is and what a strange and exciting experience it would be to read such a novel, which does not depict objects and such visually.
So I wondered whether there was such a protagonist in any novel or story, and made a search on google, and found your blog. Unfortunately, I could not find much more. So I wondered if you’d like to help me with this. Maybe you can send me a chapter of your book or you can tell me about the way you depicted things?
I’d really love to buy your book, and I think I will. But I live in Turkey and do not have much time to order it and read it till the deadline for this article. So I’d be really grateful if you could help me. I’m leaving my email address here: cankatozkan@hotmail.fr
I’d be so happy if you contacted me.
Thanks.
Sorry didn’t answer your email/comment sooner, Cankat. I’d saved it to do later, but forgot about it. In my novel, Southern Comfort, for which I’m still searching for a home, I mostly depict things that the blind man sees, hears and smells. If he’s eating, I focus on taste, too. I just can’t describe visuals with him since he can’t see. Hope that helps.
My novel, John’s Quest, the first book in my Chesapeake Weddings collection, has a blind little boy. But, he doesn’t have a point of view since he’s a secondary character. However, I do delve a little bit into the challenges of this boy being blind.