The international phenomenon and winner of the German Book Prize. “A devastating novel about war, love, and the art of survival” (Marie Claire). Julia Franck’s unforgettable English-language debut, The Blindness of the Heart is a dark marvel of a novel by one of Europe’s freshest young voices—a family story spanning two world wars and several generations in a German family. In the devastating opening scene, a woman named Helene stands with her seven-year-old son in a provincial German railway station in 1945 amid the chaos of civilians fleeing west. Having survived with him through the horror and deprivation of the war years, she abandons him on the station platform and never returns. The story quickly circles back to Helene’s childhood with her sister Martha in rural Germany, which came to an abrupt end with the outbreak of the First World War. Their father is sent to the eastern front, and their Jewish mother withdraws from the hostility of her surroundings into a state of mental confusion. As we follow Helene into adulthood, we watch riveted as the costs of survival and ill-fated love turn her into a woman capable of the unforgiveable. “Enthralling, richly imagined and remorseless.” —The New York Times Book Review “Spellbinding . . . The young woman at the center of Julia Franck’s acclaimed novel The Blindness of the Heart ranks among the most haunting characters to be found in European fiction about twentieth-century horrors . . . At times, the novel feels more like an eyewitness account than historical fiction.” —Vogue “Disturbing, original, and brilliant.” —Guardian (Best Books of 2009)

Amid the chaos of civilians fleeing west in a provincial German railway station in 1945, Helene has brought her seven-year-old son. Having survived with him through the horrors and deprivations of the war years, she abandons him on the station platform and never returns. This is a tale of hope, loneliness and love; of a life lived in terrible times; the story of a family, an era, and a fascinating woman. 'This is a great big silence-breaker of a novel, a laser beam into the German darkness from a writer who, one feels, has a great deal more to say' Evening Standard 'Admirable...inspired and haunting' Times Literary Supplement 'Franck's command of the language of misery and loss is awesome, but so is her gift for describing the warmth of burgeoning life when things are going right' The Times 'A rich, moving and complex novel... Julia Franck may well have written a great novel' Scotsman 'The Blind Side of the Heartis a masterpiece, in an exquisite translation by Anthea Bell' Arts & Book Review

A stunningly powerful novel of humanity's will to survive against all odds during an epidemic by a winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. An International Bestseller • "This is a shattering work by a literary master.”—Boston Globe A city is hit by an epidemic of "white blindness" which spares no one. Authorities confine the blind to an empty mental hospital, but there the criminal element holds everyone captive, stealing food rations and raping women. There is one eyewitness to this nightmare who guides seven strangers—among them a boy with no mother, a girl with dark glasses, a dog of tears—through the barren streets, and the procession becomes as uncanny as the surroundings are harrowing. A magnificent parable of loss and disorientation, Blindness has swept the reading public with its powerful portrayal of our worst appetites and weaknesses—and humanity's ultimately exhilarating spirit. "This is a an important book, one that is unafraid to face all of the horror of the century."—Washington Post A New York Times Notable Book of the Year A Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year

Stories of blind people who use creativity and determination to live the life of their dreams. Also includes lists of resources for advocacy, rehabilitation, recreation, and support systems for the blind.

"Imagine you're fourteen. You're in a new country with your camera, your best friend and her dog. You uncover a secret, are instantly in danger and can't tell anyone. Join Baggy, Abigail and Curly Connor as they explore Elfin Pond, sneak around Bar Gundoom Castle and discover an underground lake. Corporate giants want the Heartstone of Arden-Goth and have placed a spy in their new school. Challenges sidetrack them as they struggle to reveal the truth, find the Heartstone and stop the bullying of their friend Christoper."--Page [4] of cover.

All too often our modern society lacks both sight and insight resulting from a refusal to see the reality of creation. Such lack of recognition and appreciation for the Creator is spiritual blindness. Yet, the fruits and evidence of His love and wisdom are clearly demonstrated everywhere we look. Author Dr. James Gills, a world-renowned ophthalmologist with a deep love of the Bible, writes about spiritual blindness with stunning clarity and relevance.