Hypocrisy, hedonism, intolerance, bigotry, religious fanaticism surround an insecure 4 year old boy struggling to find his place and whether his conflicted caregiver/older brother really loves him. Today's lost ideals set 50 years ago in a "What if" premise.
"Fill My Eyes" is a precurer of today's headlines. It is a 'what if' scenario and one of many possible answers to the disintegration of traditional American family values. Never in the annals of our history have we heard about so much youth violence and mass murders. It is the erosion of society due to globalization and technology, that has corrupted the once strong family values. Traditionally many children do not go out and play, make friends, 'bop until they drop', then raise Cain when they have to come in at night. Today our youth is glued to a computer that contains too much information, unsupervised TV programs and violent video games that applaud death and destruction.
Two values that made this country great are strong family and the "true" Christian ethic. Neither exist in "Fill My Eyes". Therefore, this "what if" scenario, produces characters that are flawed and dysfunctional. This is a rather large topic set in an intimate setting about two brothers.
Told from three first person accounts, the book is set over a 24 hour period (after the prologue). The two brothers are nameless and the eldest is not given a point of view. The reader must decide through the various narratives and the interactions between the two, if the older brother is a solid caregiver.
This is a very condensed read filled with symbolism and is not for the casual reader-- otherwise, the book can be easily misconstrued. It is a story of today's headlines set a half century ago. "Fill My Eyes" has much to say on some very vital and overlooked aspects of our culture.
But don't let me throw you off. Everyone who has read the book could not put it down.
With all the problems we, as a society, face today, we need to stop and look in our own backyard first. And today's economic meltdown, now makes it "essential"!
This recent review comes from "FLIPKART" in India:
This is a short book, but filled with a big theme and succeeds on all levels. The author proposes a society without family and religious values and what do you get? Dysfunctional people all over the place. These values may seem in place, but they are ultimately false. The most interesting element of this book is the author's ability to write part of his story from a logical point of view of a four year old boy who is caught up in this messy adult society.
The book is filled the images and symbolism, particularly the surprise ending. This is not a fun nor an easy read. It must be read carefully, it's not difficult but requires your attention as the author will throw in another unanswered question in mid paragraph!
The structure of the book is very interesting. Three first person accounts, as well as the third person. There is a very strong mystery element I don't know if the author intended or not, but it keeps you reading from the explosive opening to the surprising climax.
Well done. Five Stars!
A very important review from THE UTAH NEWS SOURCE
FILL MY EYES has received tremendous reviews. “The author's love of his homeland is evident.” –Utah Book Review.
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Excerpt
“WHAT PART OF THE WORD NO don’t you understand? The ‘nuh’ or the ‘oh’?” The young man said pointedly, but devoid of emotion.
He’s mine!” She screamed hysterically, wavering from side to side. Then she held onto the mantel in mock composure.
“You have established that a hundred times this evening. Must we go over it again?” His face was still, a mask-like statue. “When you come here like this, you get filled with misguided sentimentality, trying to right a wrong over someone you committed too many years ago to correct—and it just isn’t going to work! Not now—it’s too late. Just look at what you’ve become? You are not even pitiful anymore—you’re pathetic!” He snarled at her. “And you don’t give a damn about anybody. You do what suits you and only yourself—period.”
He paced angrily around the room then stopped in front of her. “You come and go with precious little warning. These sloppy visits have taken me to the point where I just can’t think straight—and I am sick of it!” He ran his fingers through his hair, in what appeared a motion to enable to help him think clearly. Then he turned to her. “You know I can’t even trust myself.” He continued. “I—I have to back away from him. I don’t dare get too close when it’s like this because of what I might say or do.” He rubbed his forearm. “And whether you want to hear it not—you’re responsible! So why don’t you just leave the damn check on the coffee table—as you always do—and just leave!”
She hastily scribbled and wadded the check and then threw it at him. He did not flinch. He picked it up off the floor and sat.
He remained seated as the front door slammed behind her. “Bitch—you’re always under foot and I’m always under your thumb.” He muttered. “And it ends tomorrow night.”
After stubbing out his cigarette, he released a tensed hiss of air through his nostrils. He then looked to the stairway.
He rose suddenly and ran up them.
The little boy was huddled in a dark corner near the entrance, crying softly.
He grasped his hands tightly around the boy’s small shoulders, encircling them, and shook him. “What have I told you!” The boy flinched. “Do you listen? Do you ever listen?”
Professional Reviews
Two Great Reviews
THE UTAH NEWS MEDIA
"FILL MY EYES" has received tremendous reviews. The author's love of his native homeland is evident--The Utah Book Review
I finally finished reading "Fill My Eyes" and this book, did just that! What an unusual story of two boys, what they dealt with in a short period of time. It took me a little while to finish this book, as I would find myself turning back the pages so that I would truly "capture" what this author was conveying! Despite the serious subject matter, the novel contain dark humor. The wording was so descriptive that you felt like you were on steps of an old country store! This book takes you in so many directions, exciting, fear for the characters and a deep sense that you could feel like you were standing next to them them. The value of our children is really presented well by Terry Robertson. We have to give our children our time, not material things, because that's what they need to be balanced. "Fill My Eyes" is definitely what this author does and that's done very well, just by looking at the cover alone. Be prepared for the last chapter, it will really open your eyes! It was all I expected and more.
Captivating Read!--anonymous
Terrific Read
As we all know, our children of today have a lot to deal with! I'm in the process of reading a new book, called, "Fill My Eyes" by Terry Robertson. This is his second novel and it really says a lot about children and how they deal with things that control their life. I'm half way through it and it's written in such a way that you can visualize exactly what the author is saying. I've never read a book like this one before, that explains so well how growing up in a dysfunctional family can do so much harm to all that are involved. This book is written so vividly, that you feel like you are right there beside the characters in the story, which can at times, be very disturbing and uncomfortable. It's a deep read, but one that you will not want to put down. I can't wait to see how it ends and from what I've read so far, I feel that it's going to be very thought provoking, with a very STRIKING ending! Thought I would pass this on to those that are looking for something really different to read.--L.T. Singer
Excellent Mystery
Just finished reading, "Fill My Eyes" by Terry Robertson. It's written in the 50's and very well researched for the for accuracy. But what is so good about this book is, that it will hold your interest the whole time. The two boys in this mystery/social commentary novel, have a very complicated relationship and it takes a lot of twists and turns. You can sometimes feel their connection. So much much going in this novel and you really feel sorry and care about the young 4 year old character and his outcome. There are a lot of surprises in this book and the ending is definitely, suspenseful with a very unusual twist. I would highly recommend it and it's not a real long book, but it is a dense, yet easy read if you read it carefully. The author has managed to say much in a short pace. Intricately plotted and expertly executed.
Good Work, JAT, Doctor of Literature
'Fill My Eyes' subtly captures 50's America. It flows well and is an easy read, and not only because of its brevity. I thoroughly enjoyed the family scenes, so reminiscent of similar ones carried out the world over.
Terry Robertson cleverly uses several narrators to present the two boys to the reader and each with their own sense of mystery. With many intriguing avenues that the story could lead to, it wasn't until near the end that all was revealed, and, for me, it guaranteed a surprise - a true sign of a clever author.
I found I could empathise with the 4-year-old, with all his fears and apprehensions, whether natural or not.
I managed to read it on a weekend when I had many other things to set my mind to - I just had to finish it. Thank you, Terry, for giving this particular Brit a real taste of America in the 50s.
Martyn
Reviewed by John Torrence
11/5/2008
A very powerful and interesting, but different book! We need more books like this, as so many of them have no substance. This one has a lot of twist and turns, but I enjoyed the relationship between the two boys. I had no idea where it was going until the very end and I felt that the ending of the book was worth waiting for, as it wasn't what you were expecting. I wasn't aware that this was his first novel, so Terry I'm looking forward to reading your next one. By the way, the cover is excellent, simple but tells you what might be inside.
Good Work
John
I have just added the first page of the novel from the original manuscript, which is no different than the printed version of FILL MY EYES. Several new online sites have been added to purchase the book including "Books A Million", "Barnes & Noble" and "Borders.uk".
What causes America's mainstream media to fear and try to destroy a group of artists and their work? What happens when such a creative movement grows in strength and threatens media's bottom line? Why would extremists find it necessary to take acti
