Molly Burke was just four years old when she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative eye disease that eventually leads to blindness. Growing up in Oakville, Molly didn’t let people’s narrow perceptions of being blind hold her back—she played sports, became a rock-climbing instructor, and even won a local beauty pageant.
Unseen: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice is the poignant and awe-inspiring memoir of Molly Burke, who suffered years of relentless bullying and toxic work environments yet rose above it all to become a mega social media star; a highly successful public speaker, change maker, content creator, model and author, with a global platform of over five million followers. Burke has spoken on some of the world’s most notable stages, from the United Nations to the World Economic Forum in Davos and earned an honorary Clio Health Award. She was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30, and as a passionate advocate of inclusion and authentic representations, she has partnered with some of the world’s most recognizable brands in the fashion, beauty and tech industry, including Dove, Estee Lauder, Tommy Hilfiger, Microsoft, Google, Samsung and others.
In her autobiography, Burke shares the highs and lows of her journey. She’s experienced more than her share of challenges and heartaches, including living as a blind person in a rodent-infested apartment to experiencing serious health issues from being overworked on a speaking tour. Then there’s the highs— flying first class to star-studded red-carpet events and photo shoots, along with her awe-inspiring personal and professional achievements.
Burke’s story is as heart-wrenching as it is inspiring. Her memoir is an honest and at times darkly humorous story of how Burke managed to navigate the challenges of being a blind woman in a modern world who never gave up on making her mark as an advocate for people living with disabilities. Burke hopes others can learn from her hardships as well as her successes as they find their own voice, inner strength and self-acceptance to live life to the fullest.
Unseen: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice by Molly Burke, copyright © 2025 Molly Burke. Jacket © 2025 Abrams. Cover photo by Samantha Tokita, published by Abrams Press, an imprint of ABRAMS.
Book Review by Laurie Wallace-Lynch
Other articles from totimes.ca – mtltimes.ca – otttimes.ca