Very dark, disturbing, hard to face, brilliant

[Dan]

He asks what if a city-full of people lose their sight, and then explores the nightmare. It is hard to take. I had to put it down for a while. Worth the effort. Better than most novels.

[Eric]

I couldn't put it down for the same reason. Yes. Hard to take, but compelling.

Loved this book.

[Steve]

I agree totally. Was one of the most disturbing books I have ever read but that's what kept me reading.

[withdrawn]

But there is also an ironic humour that runs throughout the book, as in all of Saramago's books, that reveals the author's meaning. Miss that and you've missed his comment on humanity. We are both more and less than the horror depicted. Let his sense of humanity speak to you. Dig deeper.

[Gabriela]

I had a hard time reading it and then I could not get it out of my mind. What he did really well is this feeling you get that it could actually happen. The sign of a great storyteller. I wasn't aware he followed Blindness with another novel this time named "Seeing" - anyone read that one? How is it?

[withdrawn]

Seeing is again full of irony. The horror is missing though. Instead of the breakdown of a whole society into blindness, we have a government, indeed, all of those in power, struggling against public indifference to maintain that power. Several of the characters of Blindness reappear. A charming story of corruption and despair. Should be read. One of Saramago's favourite themes, desperation of those in control.

[Gabriela]

Thanks for the quick response RK-ique, on my list of things to read.