Adventures in Darkness: The Summer of an Eleven-year-old Blind Boy

by Tom Sullivan

In Adventures in Darkness , Tom Sullivan takes readers through the adventures of his monumental eleventh year. Blind since birth, Tom lived in a challenging world of isolation and special treatment. But he was driven to break out and live as sighted people do. This book is a hair-raising, heart-warming experience that culminates in Tom's reliance upon God to realize his dreams of a "normal" life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Tom Sullivan is an American singer, actor, writer, and motivational speaker. Blind since infancy, he has been a public advocate for assistive services for the blind, and research into treatments for blindness.

Reviews

[Karen Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, memoirs! To read of someone's struggle and how they dealt/deal with it is always interesting. Eleven year old Tom is determined to be a regular kid. I'd forgotten how much freedom there was in the fifties to just be outside playing and roaming the neighborhood without grownups and that was one of his many goals. He was brave, he was determined, and he had a best friend. Great story. I'm going to read it to my grandchildren.

[Cheryl L.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing story of a young boy's adventurous summer--one where his only goal was to be "normal." I really liked this. Well written and engaging. Hard to believe at times but truly an amazing and inspiring story.

[Kendra Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a feel good story about a boy born without sight yet described his life and the summer he was 11 with such beauty! This book will pick you up and remind you that God made you just the way you are for a reason, and with faith, instills in us all the power to do and be anything we truly want to!

[Caleb Railsback · Rating 4 out of 5]

Citation [Chicago]:
Sullivan, Tom. Adventures in Darkness: Memoirs of an Eleven-Year-Old Blind Boy. Abridged. Narrated by the author. Thomas Nelson, 2008. Audible audio ed., 4 hr., 44 min.

Review:

“Where two men ought to be, boy, Fenway Park on Opening Day.” This line told to Sullivan by Porky (his father) gives the reader a concrete example of the perspective Sullivan’s father holds towards his son’s blindness. Adventures in Darkness is the story of Tom Sullivan from his perspective on his life as a ‘blind boy’ who wanted more than anything to live the life every young boy wants, a life of adventure. Throughout the book, Sullivan goes through life’s hills and valleys while each of his parents attempt to do what they think is best for Sullivan to live in a world made for the sighted.

Sullivan’s father encourages Sullivan to never let his blindness hold him back and live as any other boy would live. Sullivan’s mother takes a different approach to Sullivan’s blindness, and believes he must adapt and conform to how other blind people have already adapted to the sighted world. Neither viewpoint is necessarily the proper or wrong view, both parents want the best for Sullivan.

While at times the pace in this book can feel as if its barely moving; Sullivan uses the book as a time not to just tell a story but to allow the reader to enter his mind and “live his reality”. At the end of the day, the reader will likely ask themselves what they would have done in each character’s shoes.

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abridged book CD is a memoir about one special spring and summer in the life of the blind entertainer. Hard to know how much is real, how much is a wee bit of blarney (something he's genetically entitled to since his father was Irish) and how much is compacting a few years into one (a license many authors use). Nevertheless, his adventures of secretly going to sea with two other blind boys, leaping into the water from a rock from no one previously survived, pitching in a little league game and knocking out the neighborhood bully in a boxing match make for interesting reading, and he claims set him on a road in which he believed he could accomplish whatever he wanted. In this case, the abridged version was plenty.

[Katelyn Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, I’m totally obsessed with this book. I want the movie. Where’s the movie, Hollywood? Why are studios wasting our time with terrible remakes of great classics when they could be making new movies about stuff we know nothing about.

I learned so much about blind people in this book, you guys. Like seeing-eye dogs can find their master’s luggage in an airport using a smell tag. Like what? They do that? How cool!

Also, about 80% of parents of children with special needs split up. Which is another reason we need more movies to stop with the ‘blame game’ and give people encouragement as well as some good ol’ fashion info.

For my full review, go to https://krwardbookreviews.blogspot.com/

[Shanna Klutts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really inspirational. I think this would make a great read for a middle grade/jr high class, or at least excerpts since the banning of faith based books happens in classrooms all the time.

One of the passages that hit me:
“If God made us in his image and likeness, should we not, in faith, embrace those of us who have borne the burden of dis-ability? It comes down to one child being mentored, touched, and supported by the community at large. Don’t walk by what makes you uncomfortable. Reach out and touch those who are less fortunate because the gift of love will be returned tenfold.”

Don’t walk by what makes you uncomfortable. Challenge accepted.

[Jane Francisca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventure of a boy who wants to have a real life, treat like a normal kid, why? Because he is blind. This book just a part of Tom Sullivan life's but not less of meaning. You can learn few things from his mom and dad perspective which is interesting.

If you read this book you also know that God is always fair. He never wrong create His men. Everyone of us made with purpose and its not small things but BIG things. Now its only depends on our attitude. Keep positive and optimist or just keep whining and complaining.

Thank you for the inspiration!

[David Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of working with Tom Sullivan on this book in 2006-7 and loved every minute of it. He was such an inspiring person and helped me personally as I almost went blind in one eye that year. My wife and I thought after reading his story that one day we would read it with our children. Well, I recently reread it to my youngest daughter and she loved it. She learned about overcoming obstacles, how to be a faithful friend, and to trust God to be with her. Thank you Tom for continuing to inspire for generations. Perhaps she will do the same with her children one day.

[Hoang Tin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tưởng tượng với đôi mắt sáng của tôi hiện tại cũng khó mà tôi có thể làm mọi thứ mà Tom Sullivan đã làm được. Kết thúc quyển sách tôi thực sự khâm phục nghị lực, ý chí và khao khát của nhân vật (cũng chính là tác giả).
Một trải nghiệm tuyệt vời khi được quan sát cuộc sống của một người khiếm thị diễn ra như thế nào!!

[Marcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can open many eyes

Amazing story. It can give you not only a perception of the behavior back in 1959 but also enjoy a life changing experience of a blind child who tries to fit with the world.

You should totally read this if you want to take something meaningful about life.

[Kamila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of lifetime

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful story, and excellent book on tape, recorded by the author! I heard him live at a conference and definitely recommend this book!

[Amal Bastian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring!

[Ngoc Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly a life well-lived and an inspiring story. This is a book that I wish I had read when I was little, it surely would give me some encouragement during the hard time of my childhood.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good inspirational book

[Leni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kesalahan paling fatal saat memegang buku ini adalah : "..gila, petualangan orang buta! Pasti seru."
Setelah membaca, saya menyadari itu adalah persepsi paling salah. Tom Sullivan bisa membaca buku kok, kabur naik perahu lewatin sungai, main bola, baseball, main tinju, sarapan tiap pagi dengan mandiri, bahkan melompati pagar halaman belakang rumahnya. Jadi kenapa orang buta ga bisa nulis buku? Jelas bisa!
Tom telah banyak memperkenalkan kelebihannya, karena meski matanya tidak berfungsi, tapi pendengarannya super, ia bisa menang tinju saat kecil melawan teman yang biasa membully-nya ya berkat kelebihan pendengarannya itu. Jangan lupakan kemahiran Tom dalam bermusik, piano terutama. Lalu kepekaannya dalam mencium aroma, mulai dari rumput baru dipotong, kue, aroma laut, dan banyak hal yang jelas-jelas membuka mata saya yang justru selama ini telah lama "buta".
Lain waktu saya akan menulis review di tepat yang lebih "luas" tentang buku ini.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author , Tom Sullivan, is a famous actor,who also appeared on The Tonight Show and Good Morning America. He happens to be blind. This is his tale of adventures ou tinto the world as an 11 yr. old

With great wit Sullivan details his "escape" from Perkins School for the Blind out onto the Misssissippi River. Some of his other tales include becoming a star Little League pitcher, and winning a fight against a bully in a match orchestrated by his father.

The book is short,easy to read,fun, and informative about some of the issues surrounding being blind. I recommend it and hop Sullivan will write more.

[Suci Ramadhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiratif banget!

[Corinna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventures in Darkness: Memoirs of an Eleven-Year-Old Blind Boy
Buku yang sangat keren, sangat seru, dan sama sekali gak ngebosenin. Tom Sullivan benar-benar bisa membawa pembaca buku ini untuk masuk & merasakan petualangan di kegelapan yang tidak semua bisa merasakan.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from some website for free. I had no knowledge of what was to be expected. I couldn't put this book down. It was so sad, but yet hysterical. It has been the first book in a long time that was so vivid in reading that I could mentally picture everything going on. I literally couldnt put it down except for when I fell asleep reading it. I totally recommend this to everyone.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a blind boy in the summer of 1959. This was an era before IDEA and when doctors like Tom's told parents that children with disabilities should be institutionalized. All Tom wants is to be part of the world around him. His parents want this too, but have different means of seeing it happen. A remarkable friendship helps him join the world of 11 year old boys in his Massachusetts town.

[Swety Retna · Rating 5 out of 5]

buku based on true story lain yang aku suka selain saga no gabai bachan dan seri toto-chan :)
buku ini mengajarkan banyak hal tentang keberanian dan keingintahuan.. buku ini termasuk buku-buku yang awal-awal aku baca setelah aku menemukan nikmatnya membaca buku di saat senggang :D
buku ini cocok untukmu yang suka kisah-kisah nyata!

[Aisyahfadh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adventures in Darkness adalah buku yang berhasil ku baca dengan susah payah melepas gadget dan meluangkan waktuku diantara tugas-tugas akhir. Sebuah buku keren yang ditulis oleh Tom Sullivan, seorang aktor, penyanyi, entertainer, penulis, dan produser, yang 'kebetulan' buta.

"Kamu harus belajar menerima seperti halnya memberi, Nak" kata Da, ayah Tommy (Hal.150)

[Tracy Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might have had a crush on Tom Sullivan when I was young. I might still. I listened to this book in audio format and I'm glad I did. Tom reads the book and to hear his voice, the voices of his family and friends, and his heart as he told his story, was the best I could have hoped for. I can't say what I would have rated the book in paper form, but in audio it's five stars all day long!

[Ashley Fairleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard this author speak and his speech was so inspiring that I read his book. It really shows how parents will go to extreme measures to have the needs of their child served! He is such a successful man; great read!

[Karen Okamoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a child blind, but full of adventure and enthusiasm for life. A true story that should inspire all of us to seek the best that life has to offer. No one wants to lose their freedom, be confined, be not permitted to truly live. Here is a child that will not take no for an answer.

[Dottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mother that tried to sheild him
A father who exposed his son to anything and everything alowing Tom to grow and challenge himself
A friend who was shared many laughs with.

I laughed reading this book, the situations Tom got himself and his school chums in were hysterical.

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

True story of Tom Sullivan, age 11, who decides that he no longer wants to be considered blind. He wants to join the "normal" world of school, play and friends. He is lucky to find a very good lifelong friend who makes this year easier for him.

[Emily Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story told to make you think of what you have or have not been given in life and how that shaped who you are and the many people we come in contact each day. It was a very fast read with a lingering warm yet self-assessment left in its wake.