From Darkness to Sight
Summary
From Darkness to Sight is renown laser eye surgeon Dr. Ming Wang’s autobiography. In it, he covers his life from his tumultuous childhood in the Cultural Revolution-stricken China to his philanthropic endeavors in the United States to restore sight to the blind.
Assessment
From Darkness to Sight is the aptly-named autobiography of Dr. Ming Wang, detailing his life from surviving the traumatic Cultural Revolution in China to finding both freedom and faith in the United States. The theme of metaphorical darkness to light mirrored with literal blindness to sight for Dr. Wang’s patients stretches across the whole of the book in a cohesive thread. It binds together all the misfortunes in both his life and the lives of those around him in a powerful testament of God’s healing and good will.
Dr. Wang’s somewhat cyclical writing style and very topical organization lead to a story that feels like he’s sat the reader down and is speaking to them directly. The writing is approachable, even on the rare occasion Dr. Wang delves into the more scientific ins and outs of his life and career. It is easy to tell he has an extraordinary depth of knowledge on the subject of eyes, but he never gets too technical for the autobiography.
Light-o-Meter
Writing Style: 4 out of 7 Little Lights
Organization/Formatting: 4 out of 7 Little Lights
Pictures: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Fulfillment of Purpose: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Theological Message: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Overall: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Talk
I have yet to read many biographies or autobiographies, but I think this will remain one of my favorites for quite a while. Dr. Wang’s story from destitution and oppression to bounty and freedom; from survival to overflowing gratitude, is a marvelous testimony to how God’s will works even in the darkest of places. It is filled with a profound message of God’s divine providence over all peoples of all nations, showing God’s love for His children, even before they even know who He is. That is an amazing testimony and I am exceedingly glad to have read it.
While this review is focused mostly on the book itself, I do need to make a comment about Angel Studio’s 2024 movie adaptation of Dr. Wang’s story, Sight. I mentioned in that specific review that the faith element felt watered down and, comparing it to Dr. Wang’s actual faith journey, this is an understatement. Dr. Wang faced overwhelming desperation and trauma as a child, but even through that it is easy to see God’s work in his life, protecting him and then blessing him immeasurably. Almost none of that is portrayed in the movie, to the detriment of the faithful in the audience and God’s testimony.
Wrap-up
From Darkness to Sight is an extraordinary journey with a fitting name. Dr Wang’s approach to life and faith is perfectly balanced between science and poetry, and his humility to God is on full display without feeling like he is secretly bragging. The story is rich with God’s protection and diligence as He guided Dr. Wang through life, navigating trauma, destitution, ethical dilemmas, prejudices, and failures.
Where to Enjoy
This review is for this specific product and this product alone. In no way, shape, or form is this review meant to be an endorsement of the private lives, individual choices, lifestyles, or behaviors of those company(ies), publisher(s), creator(s), producer(s), author(s), artist(s), etc. associated with this product. It is God's sole providence alone to judge, and we make no claim to this right. With our reviews, we're simply looking at the value and merits of this specific product alone through the content and perspective of a Christian worldview. We pray you find it helpful and useful.
