When I was 16 or so, my Sunday School teacher (Brother Hogan, for those wondering) brought this book to class and mentioned it as part of the lesson. I was very intrigued and talked with him about it after class. He let me borrow it for a while, but life was too crazy with homework and other commitments to read the entire thing. Soon several weeks had passed, and I felt like I should get it back to him. I returned it, having only read a few chapters. I have always wanted to finish the book, so this provides a great opportunity!
And There Was Light is the autobiography of Jacques Lusseyran, a central figure in the French Resistance during WWII. He was in an accident during his childhood that left him blind, but as he grew up he learned to deal with his disability in some interesting ways. From what I understand, he trained himself to actually see, inwardly, the light of others. His abilities were priceless during the war because he could sense whether those with whom he interacted were good or not. I don't know much else about the story, but I am excited to learn more about this inspiring hero.
I finally finished the book. It was quite intriguing. Much of what he describes is so different from anything I have experienced before that I am sure that often I didn't get the picture that I should have. I really liked his idea of inner light but his reason for it being there was very different than what I attribute it to. I am amazed at what he was able to accomplish with, (trying to use his perspective) the special gift he was given. Also his lack of anger and bitterness is more than admirable. I really like the idea of using inner light to understand people and things and although I am very glad that I am not blind, I can't discredit the fact that visual blindness would make a person depend on the inner light. Something that is far too often, in my case, pushed aside by what our eyes are telling us. All in all I am glad to have read this book and felt quite inspired by it.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how much farther I will get before the discussion moves on to other books, so I'll comment. I've only ready the first couple of chapters, but I really enjoy it. Like Mom said, it was so different from my experience, but I think that's what has been so intriguing for me. His descriptions of blindness, light, color, sound, pressure, etc. have given me a totally new view of things. The amazing part about it is that although the writing is not spectacular, the realities he describes are so riveting, that I find myself drawn into the book, despite the less-than-polished style. One of my favorite parts is his matter-of-fact, non-victim way of looking at things. I love that he says right in the beginning that he had a happy childhood, and I love how he adores his parents and the freedom that they gave him by allowing him to push himself. I'm excited to continue with the story.
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