Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Worthy Publishing (2014), Edition: Ex-Library, 304 pages
Description
"My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen and I'm about to die. I'm buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. ... Some will say that I m not really here. Some will say I'm delusional. Some will say that I don't even exist. But who are they? I'm the one buried in a grave. ... So who are you?"--P. [4] of cover. Christy and Austin, teenage friends with "forgotten" childhoods, get lost in a mental hospital in Boston. Hospital administration gives them new names and identities, as Scott and Alice. As their perceptions of reality shift and they search for the truth, they meet an enigmatic Outlaw who helps them see beyond the lies.
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
1617952737 / 9781617952739
User reviews
LibraryThing member lostinalibrary
Eyes Wide Open begins with two teens, Christy and Austin, whose friendship seems to stem from the fact that they are both orphans and neither seems to be able to remember anything before six months previous. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, they find themselves trapped in a
Eyes Wide Open is presented as four ‘episodes’ brought together in one book sort of like a TV series. Although they are all about Christy and Austin, they could be read separately or, as in my case, all together. And, like a TV series, I liked some episodes better than others. I especially liked Identity which explains how the friends became trapped in the hospital. On the other hand, although I found Mirrors unsettling, I also found it the least satisfying segment.
Author Ted Dekker can really create a fast pace and boat loads of tension through his use of short paragraphs and dialogue and this is very true of Eyes Wide Open. The story, at least for most of the novel, is a real page turner. Christy and Austin are likable and, although the doctor’s unconventional methods are a real stretch of the willing suspension of disbelief, it is hard not to get sucked into the story.
This is a Ted Dekker novel and therefore it shouldn’t come as a surprise to readers that there are Christian elements here. In fact, it would be fair to call it a Christian allegory. I did find that, at times, this slowed the story down and even, in one or two places, it halts the smooth flow of the book. Whether this was the author’s reason for designing the story as four separate parts, it does work better if one views the book as different episodes to a story rather than one continuous tale.
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psychiatric ward, mistaken accidentally (or not) for real patients. Efforts by the two to escape are thwarted at every turn and seem to put the pair in increasingly more precarious positions. The methods used by the doctors are unconventional and possibly dangerous and the doctors are determined to break the pair down by some very extreme measures. Eyes Wide Open is presented as four ‘episodes’ brought together in one book sort of like a TV series. Although they are all about Christy and Austin, they could be read separately or, as in my case, all together. And, like a TV series, I liked some episodes better than others. I especially liked Identity which explains how the friends became trapped in the hospital. On the other hand, although I found Mirrors unsettling, I also found it the least satisfying segment.
Author Ted Dekker can really create a fast pace and boat loads of tension through his use of short paragraphs and dialogue and this is very true of Eyes Wide Open. The story, at least for most of the novel, is a real page turner. Christy and Austin are likable and, although the doctor’s unconventional methods are a real stretch of the willing suspension of disbelief, it is hard not to get sucked into the story.
This is a Ted Dekker novel and therefore it shouldn’t come as a surprise to readers that there are Christian elements here. In fact, it would be fair to call it a Christian allegory. I did find that, at times, this slowed the story down and even, in one or two places, it halts the smooth flow of the book. Whether this was the author’s reason for designing the story as four separate parts, it does work better if one views the book as different episodes to a story rather than one continuous tale.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rhonda1111
4 STARS
This is the first book that I have read by Ted Dekker. It started right off into a story grabbing my attention. I thought the book was going to go a different way. I was wrong. You never know where it is going to go. It has some deep discussions about sane or in sane. Is someone delusional
Sometimes I was so mixed up and trying to understand where the story was going. Who was right or good guys or bad guys. This has many layers to the story. Their are a lot of twists and turns to the story.
The characters are interesting. Christy is 17 and alone in the world. She has no memory before the age of 13. Right away you feel for her. I would hate being so alone in the world.
Austin is a very smart guy. He is taking classes at Harvard. He too has no memory of his childhood. He suffers with major headaches.
He wants to help Christy when he gets her message that she was trapped. They were drawn to each other because they both had no memories about their younger years.
I think Eyes Wide Open was released first as 4 books. To me I only see one book. It would have really been confused reading each part of the book alone and waiting for the next part.
I would be interested in reading more from Ted Dekker in the future.
It definitely made me use my brain to read this book and understand where it was going.
I was given this book by Worthy Publishing and Netgalley ebook. In return I agreed to give honest review of book and be part of its blog tour.
1/21/2014 PUB Worth Publishing 277 pages ISBN: 9781617952739
This is the first book that I have read by Ted Dekker. It started right off into a story grabbing my attention. I thought the book was going to go a different way. I was wrong. You never know where it is going to go. It has some deep discussions about sane or in sane. Is someone delusional
Show More
or in reality.Sometimes I was so mixed up and trying to understand where the story was going. Who was right or good guys or bad guys. This has many layers to the story. Their are a lot of twists and turns to the story.
The characters are interesting. Christy is 17 and alone in the world. She has no memory before the age of 13. Right away you feel for her. I would hate being so alone in the world.
Austin is a very smart guy. He is taking classes at Harvard. He too has no memory of his childhood. He suffers with major headaches.
He wants to help Christy when he gets her message that she was trapped. They were drawn to each other because they both had no memories about their younger years.
I think Eyes Wide Open was released first as 4 books. To me I only see one book. It would have really been confused reading each part of the book alone and waiting for the next part.
I would be interested in reading more from Ted Dekker in the future.
It definitely made me use my brain to read this book and understand where it was going.
I was given this book by Worthy Publishing and Netgalley ebook. In return I agreed to give honest review of book and be part of its blog tour.
1/21/2014 PUB Worth Publishing 277 pages ISBN: 9781617952739
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LibraryThing member RayleighAnn
The Synopsis:
“I’m buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I’m lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won’t stop
Some will say that I’m not really here. Some will say I’m delusional. Some say that I don’t even exist. But who are they? I’m the one buried in a grave.
My name is Christy Snow. I’m seventeen. I’m about to die.”
My Review:
I know that this does not sound like a book that I would normally read, and normally, I would have never given it a second glance given the synopsis above. But, I read something that was about the book that made me want to read it, I never read the synopsis until I got the book in the mail.
Eyes Wide Open is a pretty interesting book. You definitely have to be focused when you are reading it, otherwise you will miss something. The storyline was mind-boggling, in a good way. I would think I knew what was going on, but Dekker always made sure you were just a clueless of what was happening as the characters were.
The characters were so realistic. They had their weaknesses, but yet had their strengths. They lost hope, then found it. They were hostage, then found freedom. It was an amazing roller coaster of adrenaline and wonder as the scenes unfolded and Christy and Austin found out who they really were.
There were also good virtues in Eyes Wide Open, like not being obsessed with outer beauty, not relying on your own understanding instead of believing what God tells you (whether you understand it or not), and to have faith and hope in times of trial.
Eyes Wide Open was a fantastic read and I encourage you to read it as well.
“I received this book from Worthy Publishing for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are my own.”
“I’m buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I’m lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won’t stop
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shaking.Some will say that I’m not really here. Some will say I’m delusional. Some say that I don’t even exist. But who are they? I’m the one buried in a grave.
My name is Christy Snow. I’m seventeen. I’m about to die.”
My Review:
I know that this does not sound like a book that I would normally read, and normally, I would have never given it a second glance given the synopsis above. But, I read something that was about the book that made me want to read it, I never read the synopsis until I got the book in the mail.
Eyes Wide Open is a pretty interesting book. You definitely have to be focused when you are reading it, otherwise you will miss something. The storyline was mind-boggling, in a good way. I would think I knew what was going on, but Dekker always made sure you were just a clueless of what was happening as the characters were.
The characters were so realistic. They had their weaknesses, but yet had their strengths. They lost hope, then found it. They were hostage, then found freedom. It was an amazing roller coaster of adrenaline and wonder as the scenes unfolded and Christy and Austin found out who they really were.
There were also good virtues in Eyes Wide Open, like not being obsessed with outer beauty, not relying on your own understanding instead of believing what God tells you (whether you understand it or not), and to have faith and hope in times of trial.
Eyes Wide Open was a fantastic read and I encourage you to read it as well.
“I received this book from Worthy Publishing for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are my own.”
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LibraryThing member blog_gal
Rating: 4 stars
This book was a wild rollar coaster ride. I loved parts of it and I was really bored in other parts. I usually do not read thriller books, but I have been wanting to read some of Ted Dekker's adult thriller books. Ted Dekker is overtly Christian and his believes are often seen in his
The first half of the book was really slow paced and not much action occurred. The thing that got me to continue reading was some advice that I have seen recently in a Booktube video (book review and discussion on Youtube). This video suggested that when you are not really enjoying a book but really want to finish it to go look up 5 star reviews about the book. I did this and saw that there was a Christian message at the end of the book. This encouraged me to stick with it and I am so glad that I did.
As a thriller book, half the ride is reading the book for yourself and finding out what happens. As such, I cannot tell you too much about this book. It is better to go into it blind. I really enjoyed the Christian message behind the book. It was really inspirational. If you have read this book, I would love to talk about that with you!
Although it was quite frustrating at times, I also really enjoyed the suspense of finding out what in the world was going on in the book. It was really confusing at times, but once you read the ending you begin to appreciate the suspense.
I would suggest this to anyone who loves Christian thrillers and who love suspense. Some scenes in the book were a little gory, so I do not recommend this book to anyone who has a weak stomach.
This book was a wild rollar coaster ride. I loved parts of it and I was really bored in other parts. I usually do not read thriller books, but I have been wanting to read some of Ted Dekker's adult thriller books. Ted Dekker is overtly Christian and his believes are often seen in his
Show More
books. I was not sure how this would come out in a thriller, but I am so glad that I read this book.The first half of the book was really slow paced and not much action occurred. The thing that got me to continue reading was some advice that I have seen recently in a Booktube video (book review and discussion on Youtube). This video suggested that when you are not really enjoying a book but really want to finish it to go look up 5 star reviews about the book. I did this and saw that there was a Christian message at the end of the book. This encouraged me to stick with it and I am so glad that I did.
As a thriller book, half the ride is reading the book for yourself and finding out what happens. As such, I cannot tell you too much about this book. It is better to go into it blind. I really enjoyed the Christian message behind the book. It was really inspirational. If you have read this book, I would love to talk about that with you!
Although it was quite frustrating at times, I also really enjoyed the suspense of finding out what in the world was going on in the book. It was really confusing at times, but once you read the ending you begin to appreciate the suspense.
I would suggest this to anyone who loves Christian thrillers and who love suspense. Some scenes in the book were a little gory, so I do not recommend this book to anyone who has a weak stomach.
Show Less
LibraryThing member blog_gal
Rating: 4 stars
This book was a wild rollar coaster ride. I loved parts of it and I was really bored in other parts. I usually do not read thriller books, but I have been wanting to read some of Ted Dekker's adult thriller books. Ted Dekker is overtly Christian and his believes are often seen in his
The first half of the book was really slow paced and not much action occurred. The thing that got me to continue reading was some advice that I have seen recently in a Booktube video (book review and discussion on Youtube). This video suggested that when you are not really enjoying a book but really want to finish it to go look up 5 star reviews about the book. I did this and saw that there was a Christian message at the end of the book. This encouraged me to stick with it and I am so glad that I did.
As a thriller book, half the ride is reading the book for yourself and finding out what happens. As such, I cannot tell you too much about this book. It is better to go into it blind. I really enjoyed the Christian message behind the book. It was really inspirational. If you have read this book, I would love to talk about that with you!
Although it was quite frustrating at times, I also really enjoyed the suspense of finding out what in the world was going on in the book. It was really confusing at times, but once you read the ending you begin to appreciate the suspense.
I would suggest this to anyone who loves Christian thrillers and who love suspense. Some scenes in the book were a little gory, so I do not recommend this book to anyone who has a weak stomach.
This book was a wild rollar coaster ride. I loved parts of it and I was really bored in other parts. I usually do not read thriller books, but I have been wanting to read some of Ted Dekker's adult thriller books. Ted Dekker is overtly Christian and his believes are often seen in his
Show More
books. I was not sure how this would come out in a thriller, but I am so glad that I read this book.The first half of the book was really slow paced and not much action occurred. The thing that got me to continue reading was some advice that I have seen recently in a Booktube video (book review and discussion on Youtube). This video suggested that when you are not really enjoying a book but really want to finish it to go look up 5 star reviews about the book. I did this and saw that there was a Christian message at the end of the book. This encouraged me to stick with it and I am so glad that I did.
As a thriller book, half the ride is reading the book for yourself and finding out what happens. As such, I cannot tell you too much about this book. It is better to go into it blind. I really enjoyed the Christian message behind the book. It was really inspirational. If you have read this book, I would love to talk about that with you!
Although it was quite frustrating at times, I also really enjoyed the suspense of finding out what in the world was going on in the book. It was really confusing at times, but once you read the ending you begin to appreciate the suspense.
I would suggest this to anyone who loves Christian thrillers and who love suspense. Some scenes in the book were a little gory, so I do not recommend this book to anyone who has a weak stomach.
Show Less
LibraryThing member SheTreadsSoftly
Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker is a compilation of what was originally a 4 part novel now joined together. The original four parts include: I. Identity; II. Mirrors; III. Seer; and IV. Unseen. In this novel two teens Christy Snow and Austin Hartt are mistakenly/maliciously imprisoned in a psychiatric
This is a fast paced, tension filled novel that is a quick and easy read. Since it is by Ted Dekker there are also Christian elements embedded in the story and especially in the climax. I have enjoyed immensely several novels by Dekker in the past and had high hopes for this novel.
Unfortunately, while I did enjoy the novel, I'm going to have to admit that I simply couldn't suspend disbelief and overlook several facts presented right at the start. Both Christy and Austin are 17 year old orphans. They can't remember their lives before age 13 when they entered the orphanage. Both have a trust fund that gives them $2,000 a month, starting when they turned 17. Gulp. Perhaps it is because I am an adult with adult children, but I simply can't accept these facts about these characters, and make the novel work for me.
I have a suspicion that Eyes Wide Open would work much more successfully as a YA novel with its worthwhile message concerning self-esteem. Even with the message, the characters weren't hitting the mark for me which lessened my enjoyment of the novel. A So-so novel. I've enjoyed many of Dekker's other books much more.
Eyes Wide Open is the start of a new series of novels by Ted Dekker called the Outlaw Chronicles.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Worthy Publishing via Netgalley for review purposes.
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ward. The procedures for admitting patients to this psych ward are unconventional, as are the treatments that patients must undergo. Both Christy and Austin are in danger of losing track of who they really are.This is a fast paced, tension filled novel that is a quick and easy read. Since it is by Ted Dekker there are also Christian elements embedded in the story and especially in the climax. I have enjoyed immensely several novels by Dekker in the past and had high hopes for this novel.
Unfortunately, while I did enjoy the novel, I'm going to have to admit that I simply couldn't suspend disbelief and overlook several facts presented right at the start. Both Christy and Austin are 17 year old orphans. They can't remember their lives before age 13 when they entered the orphanage. Both have a trust fund that gives them $2,000 a month, starting when they turned 17. Gulp. Perhaps it is because I am an adult with adult children, but I simply can't accept these facts about these characters, and make the novel work for me.
I have a suspicion that Eyes Wide Open would work much more successfully as a YA novel with its worthwhile message concerning self-esteem. Even with the message, the characters weren't hitting the mark for me which lessened my enjoyment of the novel. A So-so novel. I've enjoyed many of Dekker's other books much more.
Eyes Wide Open is the start of a new series of novels by Ted Dekker called the Outlaw Chronicles.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Worthy Publishing via Netgalley for review purposes.
Show Less