Edward Bellamy 
With the Eyes Shut 

‘With the Eyes Shut’ (1898) is a short story by the American author, journalist and political activist, Edward Bellamy, most famous for his socialist, utopian novel ‘Looking Backward: 2000-1887’ (1888).This prophetic tale tells the story of a man who takes a long train ride to meet some friends. Unable to idle away the hours by reading, he is offered the chance to try out a futuristic phonograph to listen to a book instead, but this new technology has unexpected consequences.A fast read and an everlasting classic, ‘With the Eyes Shut’ is perfect for fans of Franz Kafka and Albert Camus. –