In spite of everything, it is a bit of a page turner. It’s not a readability issue, as the language used is actually quite readable. I can honestly say I’ve never read a book like this, though whether that is original authorship or translator, I am not qualified to say. There is nothing new or innovative about any of it.Įxcept maybe in the writing. Naturally, our heroes also adopt a dog along the way. Women are sexually abused and treated as objects by all but our heroes.

The afflicted are put in hospitals that are more like prisons. Think of a post-apocalyptic trope and you’ll probably find it here. I’m sure this is an attempt to show how universal the human condition is, but it comes across as frustratingly bland. It turns out that some tropes transcend cultures, because there’s little in the narrative itself that is any different to what an English writer may come up with. But fair is fair, and I picked it up, approaching with an open mind to see what this famous Portuguese writer came up with. After all, dystopias and apocalyptic tales rarely thrill me. As I said at the time, this is outside my usual wheelhouse. So while I suggested another member read Ben Bova’s Mars, it was suggested that I read Jose Saramago’s Blindness. Over the New Year, the server hosted a Secret Santa event, where everyone recommended a book to another member, and was in turn recommended a book. One of the few online communities I am a part of is Media Death Cult, which has an active Discord server primarily dedicated to science fiction (though, as always, fantasy and horror muscle their way in too).

There’s a little story to why I read this book. In this new world, what will become of those who cannot see the way forward. But when this blindness spreads through the population, it threatens everything civilisation stands for. When a man suddenly loses his vision, it causes an accident.

Blindness book jose saramago