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Seeing (Blindness, #2)
by José Saramago, Margaret Jull Costa
by José Saramago, Margaret Jull Costa
I read this book shortly after having completed 'Blindness'. 'Seeing' is a sequel to 'Blindness'.
At first there appears to be little to explicitly link the two books. This book's premise is a subconscious revolution whereby the inhabitants of a city start to behave in a curiously collective manner - 83% of them cast a blank ballot at a general election. This inevitably creates confusion and panic within the government.
Like 'Blindness', part of my pleasure in this book was due to Saramago's unusual and distinctive narrative style. Again, there are no quotation marks for dialogue, and many long sentences which frequently have a "stream of consciousness" quality. Characters are never identified by their proper names. Despite this the book is easy to follow.
It took me about 100 pages to really get into this book. It's at around the 100 page mark that the book shifts from being focussed on the government's reaction to the blank votes, to a story involving the main characters from 'Blindness' and some undercover policemen. The book became more absorbing and compelling from this moment.
Saramago poses profound questions whilst providing plenty of his deadpan, wry humour mainly at the expense of hierarchy and bureaucracy. The book holds up a mirror to the modern democratic process; the farcical nature of hierarchy; political "spin"; and the corruption that inevitably accompanies power. The book becomes more unsettling and disturbing as it reaches its conclusion. That said, there is also a positive message around personal choice and redemption. By the end there is much to ponder, and I think the book would make an excellent choice for a book group to discuss. This is a challenging and original political and sociological satire. Well worth reading.
At first there appears to be little to explicitly link the two books. This book's premise is a subconscious revolution whereby the inhabitants of a city start to behave in a curiously collective manner - 83% of them cast a blank ballot at a general election. This inevitably creates confusion and panic within the government.
Like 'Blindness', part of my pleasure in this book was due to Saramago's unusual and distinctive narrative style. Again, there are no quotation marks for dialogue, and many long sentences which frequently have a "stream of consciousness" quality. Characters are never identified by their proper names. Despite this the book is easy to follow.
It took me about 100 pages to really get into this book. It's at around the 100 page mark that the book shifts from being focussed on the government's reaction to the blank votes, to a story involving the main characters from 'Blindness' and some undercover policemen. The book became more absorbing and compelling from this moment.
Saramago poses profound questions whilst providing plenty of his deadpan, wry humour mainly at the expense of hierarchy and bureaucracy. The book holds up a mirror to the modern democratic process; the farcical nature of hierarchy; political "spin"; and the corruption that inevitably accompanies power. The book becomes more unsettling and disturbing as it reaches its conclusion. That said, there is also a positive message around personal choice and redemption. By the end there is much to ponder, and I think the book would make an excellent choice for a book group to discuss. This is a challenging and original political and sociological satire. Well worth reading.
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Reading Progress
| 07/10/2012 | page 70 |
|
23.0% | "Like Blindness, this is taking a while to get into. I am hopeful though that persistence will reward me. I've also not had much time for reading which has meant that I haven't been able to settle down to a good 50 page plus session." |
| 07/12/2012 | page 168 |
|
55.0% | "My persistance has been rewarded. The book's idea and sly humour are becoming more apparent. And, at around the halfway mark there's been the first explicit mention of what happened in 'Blindness'. 'Seeing' is a sequel to 'Blindness'. I'm gradually getting more and more drawn into this original, clever (and maybe even *whisper it* profound) book." |
| 07/15/2012 | page 220 |
|
72.0% | "I am now actively enjoying this book. The characters from 'Blindness' have re-emerged and Saramogo is starting to ask some quite profound questions whilst also adding plenty of his deadpan, wry humour and the expense of hierarchy and bureaucracy. Great stuff. The pay off has been worth the early uncertainty." |
