A beautifully-expressed portrayal of how a blind person learns to see for the first time, surprising in its ability to convey something quite unknowable to the reader. I enjoyed the unfolding of the relationship of the two central characters and how their experiences overlapped. I was, however, less impressed with what felt like a clumsy handling of the psychopathic husband, where I perceived plot holes (how did he track a car that was borrowed from his wife's friend on a whim?) That said, it was fun to hate him! I read this on my Kindle and when I do that, I'm often unaware of the author's name as I don't see it frequently on the cover as I would a paper book, so at the end I was shocked to realise this was written by a man. Very rarely do I feel so comfortable with the depiction of women's voices by a male writer, especially when there is a same sex romance involved. It all felt very natural and intuitive, so good job, Joe Heap!

It’s the mark of a great book when you’re still thinking about the characters several days after you’ve finished it.
I loved this book; Nova, a woman who has recently had an operation to enable her to see, and Kate a woman in an abusive and unfulfilling relationship form a friendship after meeting in a hospital. In an unhurried (and realistic) way their lives begin to intertwine and they start to realise how important they are to each other.
The real highlight of this book is the exploration of Nova’s rehabilitation into being a ‘sighted’ person having spent most of her life blind. I found myself looking at familiar things in an entirety new way. It was a joy.

Beautifully written, if a touch overlong. Wonderful and insightful descriptions of being able to see after years of darkness and how overwhelming it would be. In my opinion, the violence near the end was unnecessary to the intelligent writing.

Absolutely loved this book!
The characters were interesting and flawed - but the most fascinating part of this for me was the explored concept of how it would be to gain sight as an adult, with all the things we learn before we even know (colours, depth perception, reading faces) now coming from practice and effort.

Very thought provoking in numerous ways: blindness to sight and how difficult this is, an abusive relationship and a gay relationship.
I can't say it was a pleasant read but it is a book that I wouldn't like to have missed and feel richer for having read it.

This is a good read for a first novel. Novas journey of learning to see is fascinating. Every detail is really well described and well thought out. I feel that the rest of the book is not as well written. It is slow in places and jumps about a bit. This book is worth reading as the parts about Nova are really good. I probably would read another book by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A beautiful book, scary in places, had me gasping and then crying. It also made me think how I take seeing for granted. But for me, the beauty of the writing shines out beyond everything else.

Not the best book I’ve read, not the worst. It was a little slow in places for me. But, it’s well written and the writing style is easy reading.

A really thought provoking novel - how would a blind person adjust to sight restoration surgery. ? -not sure this type of surgery is possible, but I did not realise how difficult the adjustment would be, we all take sight for granted, even young babies recognise their mother and favourite toys. I really enjoyed reading it and the rules of seeing were very well written.

I didn't know what to expect with this read, but ended up absolutely loving it! The charaters are so likable; I compeltely fell in love with both main characters Nova and Kate, but particularly Nova - I mean, who wouldn't?

The main themes in this novel felt so different and fresh, yet somehow the story felt so relatable despite not being exeperiences that I've necessarily had myself. I loved reading about Nova's journey from being blind (from birth, so she's never known anything else) to being able to see again. It was so interesting reading about how she dealt with learning to see again, with all these hurdles that I'd never thought about. I also thought Kate's experience, with her husband (I don't want to give too much detail away) was so gripping and emotional to read about. The characters all felt like real people, with some really surprising me with their actions, and I loved reading about them. 

The main theme of this novel - learning to see, not just literally for Nova but also metaphorically for other people - is so wonderful to read about and, although the story certainly isn't all sunshine and rainbows, I felt incredibly uplifted at the end. Brilliant reading!

Interesting book,quite different to anything I have read.I really liked the main character Nova,and thought her blindness was very well described.My mother has been blind for over 40 years and I did think the description of what a blind or partially sighted person deals with and their perceptions was true to life.I found the book to be a little slow in places, but it was that sort of book it weaved a story rather than throwing it at you, and the pace suited the book.I really enjoyed this book, and think it is one that will stay with me long after the last page.Thanks to the publishers and netgalley for an ARC.

I liked this book but I didn’t love it. I loved the narration around Nova' coming to terms with regaining her sight, it was very well researched and incredibly moving but the rest of the book just didn’t deliver for me.

This book is about Nova and Kate. It's a well written first novel by Joe Heap and I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline.
Follow the lives of Nova who is learning how to see and Kate who is learning how to live as a lesbian and escape from a violent marriage
It's is full of twists and tensions as they both go on there journeys both together and apart..
Thoroughly recommend

Wonderful book that everyone should read. Nova and Kate show you how to see and indeed how not to see - its moving, uplifting, inspiring and altogether a must read, There is an underlying intensity to the experiences that leave you wondering just how it is that the author researched it !

If you read one book this autumn - read this

This is a book that is hard to slot into one genre. In its own way it is unique. It is however a very enjoyable read and I found myself returning to it frequently.
The main characters were different in looks and personality and you wanted to keep reading to find out how their lives progressed. I was surprised to find that the author was a man as there was such an understanding of the females in the book.
This book is different, engaging and thankfully not predictable, I would happily read another book by this author.
This is my unbiased review of a copy I received #RulesofSeeing #NetGalley

This was a very thought provoking book. I liked the character of Nova and wanted her to not have the operation and found it heartbreaking to read her struggles. When it came to Kate though she seemed quite down trodden and the friendship they forged from the outset was quite sweet. I’m not sure whether the book was a bit long for me but it certainly made you think and feel

A Spectacular Debut:
How often have you read the synopsis of a novel only to be sadly disappointed?
Well this novel is definitely not one of them - it was an absolute pleasure to read and so very, very intelligent. Heap has woven so many issues and themes into this thoroughly engrossing debut.
Cementing together the themes of blindness, medical capability to cure some forms of blindness and the psychological problems associated with blindness, is a story of love and a psychological thriller to match the best.
Simply a stunning debut.

A very unusual book. The idea that someone blind from birth may not want to see takes some understanding. But the author gently guides us along this , and other complex issues. Very thought provoking and heartfelt. Well worth reading.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

I found The Rules of Seeing to be something of a hybrid. One the one hand we have the story of Nova and her wonderful, miraculous, terrifying experience as she learns to see. I really empathised with Nova, at times I found myself rebuking her for starting this awful adventure. What on earth was she thinking?! Nova's story would have stood up on its own.
On the other hand we have Kate's dark/bleak life married to the despicable Tony. Kate's story is not one i would usually choose to read. I literally lost sleep over her. But somehow I felt hers was the weaker character in terms of the plot. She seemed two-dimensional somehow. And yet I felt somehow we should have had MORE of her story. Or, rather, more of Tony's story. I have too many unanswered questions about Tony. Whether that suggests great writing, making me want more, or an incomplete plot... I can't decide. Certainly I would be pleased to read more from Joe Heap.

Nova is blind, all she can see is a blur of colours & shapes.She can speak five languages, is an interpreter for the police. She enjoys her life. When she is given the chance to have a miracle operation to give her sight she is unsure if she wants it but goes ahead with it & finds whole new confusing world.

Kate is an architect. She is married to Tony- a policeman, They have been married for two years but Kate is beginning to wonder if she knows im at all. She is starting to be afraid of his temper.

When Kate injures her head she meets Nova when they are both recovering. They start an unlikely friendship which soon develops into something more.

I loved this book. Nova's observations made me realise how much we take our sight for granted. How strange it must be to try & interpret the world anew. I loved seeing how these two characters came to depend on each other. I was not prepared for how the pace changed towards the end making it a thriller. This is an amazing debut & look forward to reading more from Joe Heap.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this great book.