Overview

How Did the Books Come to Life? The origin of these books lies in a simple desire: I wanted to bring joy to my ophthalmologist. I wished to thank him for his outstanding care, but he proved to be far more than an excellent eye doctor, he revealed himself to be a kind, compassionate, and deeply supportive human being. The idea came to me while I was walking along the shoreline in the small village where I live. As I walked by the sea, a thought formed: I would give him a reflection presented in the form of an eye test. No one had examined my vision as often as he had. And so, in 2017, he received the very first ""vision test."" The message of that first test was simple: he had 100% vision when it came to human understanding and compassion. He was the ophthalmologist who cared for me most during the difficult time when I suddenly began losing my sight in the autumn of 2014. That loss ultimately left me legally blind, which is defined as vision of less than 10%. The books therefore grew from this original gesture of gratitude toward him.The format used in the books is based on the Snellen eye chart, a visual test that has been used since the mid-19th century. Each ""vision test"" in the books contains original reflections and words of wisdom embedded within the eye-chart format. These vision tests spark curiosity, laughter, and a playful challenge to read them. They break the rhythm of everyday life and invite people to engage with words in an unexpected way. People of all ages enjoy them. The books are written for readers from eight to one hundred and eight years old. In this way, they connect generations and create moments of shared enjoyment within families. In Iceland, the books have been used in many different settings: in elementary schools, in team-building activities for companies and sports clubs, and in occupational therapy programs in nursing homes for the elderly, among many other places. Educational authorities in Iceland even purchased the books and developed teaching guides to accompany them. As a result, the books are now used across several subjects, including Icelandic language studies, life skills education, and the arts. What makes the concept truly unique is the use of the eye-test format as a literary form-books where reflections and insights about life are presented in the authentic structure of a vision test. This makes the idea both unusual and highly engaging from a literary and marketing perspective. The proof lies in how well the books have sold in Iceland. In a way, they are a Vision Test for the Soul.

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9789935985309

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Reviews

Svavar Guðmundsson's books See have proven exceptionally valuable to me as a teacher. I use them to strengthen my students' reading skills, expand their vocabulary, and deepen their understanding of text. I also incorporate the passages into writing exercises, where students work with breaking sentences apart and learning to write clearly with spaces between words. Kolbrún Ósk, Vice Principal, Víkurskóli Elementary School The message of the books is so deep and mysterious that at times I wondered whether it might have come from Lao Tzu, the Dalai Lama, or from the deepest chambers of your own mind-perhaps a blend of them all, which certainly does not diminish the value of the message. Sóley Ragnarsdóttir, Reykjavík (Senior Citizen) The books are wonderful-both enjoyable to read and thought-provoking as readers reflect on what the letters represent. I use them with the elderly residents in our care. We sit together in a circle and read the vision tests aloud, and afterward we discuss the reflection we have just read and consider what it might mean for each of us. These conversations often become lively and meaningful, creating moments that are both rewarding and joyful. Inga Sigurðardóttir, Head of Occupational Therapy, Nursing Home The book is extremely engaging and educational, just like the previous one, which has been a great source of enjoyment with my students at the lower secondary level. Kristrún, Homeroom Teacher, Secondary Level, Kópavogur

Author Information

The author was born in Reykjavík in 1968. At the age of twelve, he began working in the fish industry, and by sixteen he had gone to sea, where he worked for several years while attending upper secondary school. In 1999 he completed a B.Sc. degree in Fisheries Science from the University of Akureyri. Later, he furthered his education with studies in auditing and related fields. Over the years he has held a variety of positions, including serving as CEO of several companies in different industries, all of which were successfully managed under his leadership.In the autumn of 2014, his life changed suddenly when he lost sight in both eyes within just a few days due to a mutation affecting the optic nerve. The condition is a rare eye disease known as Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), and only five individuals inIceland are known to have it. As a result, he had to step away from his work in auditing and the preparation of financial statements, as his vision no longer allowed him to continue in that field. Yet from this unexpected turning point, a new path emerged. Among other things, it led to thepublication of his books Vision, Thought, Understanding, which have now taken on wings of their own and begun their journey around the world to meet new readers.In many ways, these books may be seen as a Vision Test for the Soul.

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