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hopeebruce's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kristenremenar's review against another edition
4.0
Before Helen Keller, there was Laura Bridgman. I had no idea just how famous she was, and I was fascinated by this glimpse into a life without sight, sound, smell, or taste. Some sex, so I won't handsell it fifth graders who loved Sarah Miller's "Miss Spitfire", but great for older teens and up.
lckrgr's review against another edition
3.0
To start off, I should make it known I received this book from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. Now onto the review.
Before reading this book I had never heard of Laura Bridgeman. After reading this book I am fascinated by the fact that she has basically disappeared from the popular history. Elkins does an impressive job of telling Laura's story in that this book is rich in historical detail and descriptive imagery. The writing was smart and did a good job of encompassing a lifetime without dragging on. If you are a fan of historical fiction, especially historical fiction revolving around real people, you will probably enjoy this book.
For me this book was a challenging read, I think because I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable or relatable, which is a strange feeling to have about a book based on actual people. I appreciate that Elkins did not paint Laura, or for that matter any of the characters, as flawless, as she could have easily ignored her foibles to "create" a more likable character. That being said, the chapters from Laura's point of view were the high-point of this novel, in that they attempted to put the reader into Laura's shoes. It is difficult enough for me to imagine living life as a deaf-blind, but almost impossible for me to imagine how someone might have lived that life in the 1800s.
The other reason this book was a difficult read was watching so many characters interact with Laura with so little compassion, even those that she was closest too. My biggest issue with this book was everything was so bleak. There was so little happiness for Laura, or her caretakers, that it made it difficult to appreciate and celebrate the amazing strength she must have had.
All-in-all I would say this book was an impressive and rich literary achievement, but not really my cup of tea.
Before reading this book I had never heard of Laura Bridgeman. After reading this book I am fascinated by the fact that she has basically disappeared from the popular history. Elkins does an impressive job of telling Laura's story in that this book is rich in historical detail and descriptive imagery. The writing was smart and did a good job of encompassing a lifetime without dragging on. If you are a fan of historical fiction, especially historical fiction revolving around real people, you will probably enjoy this book.
For me this book was a challenging read, I think because I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable or relatable, which is a strange feeling to have about a book based on actual people. I appreciate that Elkins did not paint Laura, or for that matter any of the characters, as flawless, as she could have easily ignored her foibles to "create" a more likable character. That being said, the chapters from Laura's point of view were the high-point of this novel, in that they attempted to put the reader into Laura's shoes. It is difficult enough for me to imagine living life as a deaf-blind, but almost impossible for me to imagine how someone might have lived that life in the 1800s.
The other reason this book was a difficult read was watching so many characters interact with Laura with so little compassion, even those that she was closest too. My biggest issue with this book was everything was so bleak. There was so little happiness for Laura, or her caretakers, that it made it difficult to appreciate and celebrate the amazing strength she must have had.
All-in-all I would say this book was an impressive and rich literary achievement, but not really my cup of tea.
laurenca's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Sexual content
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting story about someone history kind of forgot. Interesting historical details. Good book group book.
tanulewicz's review against another edition
4.0
I first learned about Laura Bridgman when I was in first or second grade. I am pretty sure my copy of CHILD OF THE SILENT NIGHT, by Edith Fisher Hunter, came from the Scholastic book order, because I lived in rural Louisiana and I can't imagine that (a) the St Tammany Parish Bookmobile had a copy; or (b) my parents would have bought it for me at a bookstore, or that any bookstore would have had it in stock, since it was published in 1963 and I first read it in 1983 or so.
I was fascinated with Laura Bridgman from that point forward, and since COTSN was the only book I had access to on the subject, I read it over and over and over again. I am probably the only child ever to attend Theiss Elementary School who did her big fifth grade biography report on Laura Bridgman. As an adult, I was thrilled when THE IMPRISONED GUEST was published in 2001, and when I heard an interview with Kimberly Elkins on Weekend Edition this spring, I was delighted to learn that there was a work of fiction based on Laura's life.
TL;DR: for most of my life, I've been really, really into Laura Bridgman.
So, WHAT IS VISIBLE. I liked it. I did not know much about Julia Ward Howe prior to reading this book and I appreciate that Elkins included notes on what was based on fact (most everything regarding Julia is), and what was manufactured by Elkins, and why she chose to go that route. I enjoyed Elkins' exploration of Laura's relationships with the other women in the book, particularly Sarah Wight. The language is lovely, and Elkins paints a vivid inner life for Laura, who was resoundingly intelligent and vibrant despite her utter sensory isolation.
If you are inclined to read more about Laura, definitely take a look at THE IMPRISONED GUEST, and do not miss CHILD OF THE SILENT NIGHT. And after you read that book, go get yourself a dinner plate with raised letters around the rim and pretend to be blind. Your parents and siblings will appreciate it, I promise.
I was fascinated with Laura Bridgman from that point forward, and since COTSN was the only book I had access to on the subject, I read it over and over and over again. I am probably the only child ever to attend Theiss Elementary School who did her big fifth grade biography report on Laura Bridgman. As an adult, I was thrilled when THE IMPRISONED GUEST was published in 2001, and when I heard an interview with Kimberly Elkins on Weekend Edition this spring, I was delighted to learn that there was a work of fiction based on Laura's life.
TL;DR: for most of my life, I've been really, really into Laura Bridgman.
So, WHAT IS VISIBLE. I liked it. I did not know much about Julia Ward Howe prior to reading this book and I appreciate that Elkins included notes on what was based on fact (most everything regarding Julia is), and what was manufactured by Elkins, and why she chose to go that route. I enjoyed Elkins' exploration of Laura's relationships with the other women in the book, particularly Sarah Wight. The language is lovely, and Elkins paints a vivid inner life for Laura, who was resoundingly intelligent and vibrant despite her utter sensory isolation.
If you are inclined to read more about Laura, definitely take a look at THE IMPRISONED GUEST, and do not miss CHILD OF THE SILENT NIGHT. And after you read that book, go get yourself a dinner plate with raised letters around the rim and pretend to be blind. Your parents and siblings will appreciate it, I promise.
sephipiderwitch's review against another edition
5.0
All I can say about this book is Wow! Lyrical, haunting and pulls at every emotional string as it runs its course.
What is visible is the story of Laura Bridgman. A woman I had never heard of before reading this book. Laura was the first deaf-blind person to receive a significant education in America. Laura was stricken with scarlet fever when she was two, taking away 4 of her senses, sight, hearing, smell and taste. The only sense she was left with was touch. During her life, she was referred to as the second most important woman in the world. Though she seems to have been lost in history, replaced by her successor, Helen Keller with scarlet fever when she was two, taking away 4 of her senses, sight, hearing, smell and taste. The only sense she was left with was touch. She wore shades over her eyes and only a couple of people ever saw what was behind those shades. During her life, she was referred to as the second most important woman in the world. Though she seems to have been lost in history, replaced by her successor, Helen Keller.
What Is Visible is told in the form of diary entries from Laura as well as all the people she interacts with the exception of her childhood friend, Tenny. Ms. Elkins does an amazing job of giving a distinct voice to each of the characters in the book and weaving their voices in a way that brings you into the room with them and witness to their thoughts.
I think it would be very easy to find the need to portray someone as disabled as Laura in the light of a saint or martyr. But, Ms. Elkins did not fall prey to this either with Laura nor any of the other characters in the story. And that is what makes this such an incredible book. The characters are very human.
Laura moves between being this intelligent rational observer of her dark world to moments of vanity and arrogance. There are times when she shows petty jealousy, meanness and downright hatefulness. But, in the blink of an eye, you get another insight into her where you want to cry and forgive her any and all cruel thoughts she has.
She speaks of her impressions of the people around her, what she likes and dislikes. Her need to touch, her only sense, often overwhelms the people around her and she is often disciplined for crawling in bed with the other girls and fondling them. Her discipline for misbehaving is having gloves put on her hands for a unique version of time out.
Ms. Elkins creates a love affair for Laura, in the form of a servant named Kate. And she again shone her talent here as she described the intense relationship between the two women which often migrated into the realm of S&M. Her reasoning in the afterward was that she had to imagine that such an area would be explored as far as it could be taken with one whose only sense was that of touch. And also given that it was well documented that Laura did "hurt herself". And she executes it well, creating an intense and beautifully blossomed relationship between these women.
The other voices in Laura's life are given equal consideration. From the "doctor" and his wife, the servants, teachers, friends. The triumphs, frustrations, anger and disappointments, not only in Laura, but in every aspect of their lives. It is not just a picture of Laura's life, but equally a picture of the life of her universe, both when it is alongside her as well as when it has moved on.
I laughed, I cried, my heart sometimes sinking deep with the weight of the words. At times, my breath was taken for a moment at the sheer beauty and wisdom of the words in this book. Through it, I not only got a peek inside what it must be like to live your life in a form of solitude, with only one tiny gateway to the outside world, but what it was like to take the hand of that soul for just a while.
Most of the story is true and based on documented research, according to the author's afterward. She took some liberties, gave Laura some things she only guessed or hoped she would have experienced. I appreciated the fact that she laid all this out in the afterward. Because, you walk away knowing that almost all of it was real. And you are glad for the elaborations she made, and hope, that maybe even in those, Laura was granted those boons. They just weren't "known".
Sephi
http://sephipiderwitch.com/what-visible-kimberly-elkins/
What is visible is the story of Laura Bridgman. A woman I had never heard of before reading this book. Laura was the first deaf-blind person to receive a significant education in America. Laura was stricken with scarlet fever when she was two, taking away 4 of her senses, sight, hearing, smell and taste. The only sense she was left with was touch. During her life, she was referred to as the second most important woman in the world. Though she seems to have been lost in history, replaced by her successor, Helen Keller with scarlet fever when she was two, taking away 4 of her senses, sight, hearing, smell and taste. The only sense she was left with was touch. She wore shades over her eyes and only a couple of people ever saw what was behind those shades. During her life, she was referred to as the second most important woman in the world. Though she seems to have been lost in history, replaced by her successor, Helen Keller.
What Is Visible is told in the form of diary entries from Laura as well as all the people she interacts with the exception of her childhood friend, Tenny. Ms. Elkins does an amazing job of giving a distinct voice to each of the characters in the book and weaving their voices in a way that brings you into the room with them and witness to their thoughts.
I think it would be very easy to find the need to portray someone as disabled as Laura in the light of a saint or martyr. But, Ms. Elkins did not fall prey to this either with Laura nor any of the other characters in the story. And that is what makes this such an incredible book. The characters are very human.
Laura moves between being this intelligent rational observer of her dark world to moments of vanity and arrogance. There are times when she shows petty jealousy, meanness and downright hatefulness. But, in the blink of an eye, you get another insight into her where you want to cry and forgive her any and all cruel thoughts she has.
She speaks of her impressions of the people around her, what she likes and dislikes. Her need to touch, her only sense, often overwhelms the people around her and she is often disciplined for crawling in bed with the other girls and fondling them. Her discipline for misbehaving is having gloves put on her hands for a unique version of time out.
Ms. Elkins creates a love affair for Laura, in the form of a servant named Kate. And she again shone her talent here as she described the intense relationship between the two women which often migrated into the realm of S&M. Her reasoning in the afterward was that she had to imagine that such an area would be explored as far as it could be taken with one whose only sense was that of touch. And also given that it was well documented that Laura did "hurt herself". And she executes it well, creating an intense and beautifully blossomed relationship between these women.
The other voices in Laura's life are given equal consideration. From the "doctor" and his wife, the servants, teachers, friends. The triumphs, frustrations, anger and disappointments, not only in Laura, but in every aspect of their lives. It is not just a picture of Laura's life, but equally a picture of the life of her universe, both when it is alongside her as well as when it has moved on.
I laughed, I cried, my heart sometimes sinking deep with the weight of the words. At times, my breath was taken for a moment at the sheer beauty and wisdom of the words in this book. Through it, I not only got a peek inside what it must be like to live your life in a form of solitude, with only one tiny gateway to the outside world, but what it was like to take the hand of that soul for just a while.
Most of the story is true and based on documented research, according to the author's afterward. She took some liberties, gave Laura some things she only guessed or hoped she would have experienced. I appreciated the fact that she laid all this out in the afterward. Because, you walk away knowing that almost all of it was real. And you are glad for the elaborations she made, and hope, that maybe even in those, Laura was granted those boons. They just weren't "known".
Sephi
http://sephipiderwitch.com/what-visible-kimberly-elkins/
katykat3's review against another edition
5.0
What Is Visible drew me in quickly, and I found that I couldn't put the book down. Laura was a star of a character: automatically, she brought out sadness and pity in me, but she was not the best person, so I found myself really disliking her sometimes. But then I tried to imagine what her life was like; as stated in the book many times, her life was a vacuum. She had no stimulation except when someone decided to approach her and touch her, which is extremely difficult to understand. I also loved/hated the supporting cast of characters around her (with much hate going towards Dr. Howe). I wish that Laura had been given the love, respect, and help she deserved throughout her lifetime. I really liked this book and how much I learned about a person from history I never knew.
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
sofm's review against another edition
4.0
I can’t stop, won’t stop going back to the 1800s anytime soon and this historical fiction was so good. I love learning about less known trailblazers (especially women) and although I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose 4/5 senses, it was easy to relate to Laura. It’s clear that her circumstances and the sheer neglect from the people around her denied the unlocking of her true potential and perhaps a more fulfilling life. As Helen Keler wrote- “Had Laura Bridgman been blessed with a lifelong teacher and companion like Annie Sullivan, she would have outshone me.”
(Also this book mentions Emily Dickinson like are you kidding. Can’t stay away even when I try)
(Also this book mentions Emily Dickinson like are you kidding. Can’t stay away even when I try)
katiemulcahy122's review against another edition
4.0
How did I not know about Laura Bridgman before this book? I literally grew up down the street from Perkins and obsessed over historical figures from Massachusetts and didn't know so much about this time period. Obviously, some liberties were taken for this historical fiction, but it was very engrossing (for as much as I had to pause to look things up) and I am never going to think about the Sumner Tunnel the same way.