The Mind’s Eye

by Oliver Sacks, MD

Although they aren’t reviewed here, I have read, I believe, at least half of Dr Sack’s works. As you would surmise, I am a big fan of his.

I watched the two hour special that ran on PBS detailing his life and his pending death due to melanoma that had metastasized. This book touches on this as he is the last patient discussed in his book as he was diagnosed with ocular melanoma.

The Mind’s Eye is about the sense of sight, specifically, what happens when their eyesight fails them. Not that they become blind, but they are no longer to use their vision the way they were used to. If the book demonstrates over and over again, it our ability to adapt to the situation and thrive. This isn’t to say that this is easy but with perseverance, we can overcome.

My only qualm with the book is knowing that as I was reading Dr Sacks’ experience with his ocular melanoma and having one eye not quite in sync with the other, knowing that he would succumb to his cancer. His chapter was a melancholy read.

As with his other books, I cannot recommend this book any higher. For anyone interested in patient experiences and the ability to overcome, this is a book for you. You will not be disappointed.

Rating: 5/5

[posted 05/19/2021]