Blindness
by José Saramago
352 pages, Paperback
Publisher: HarperVia (on October 4, 1999)
Release Date: January 1, 1995
My Rating: ★★★★★
Book Summary
From Nobel Prize–winning author José Saramago, a magnificent, mesmerizing parable of loss
A city is hit by an epidemic of “white blindness” that spares no one. Authorities confine the blind to an empty mental hospital, but there the criminal element holds everyone captive, stealing food rations, and assaulting women. There is one eyewitness to this nightmare who guides her charges—among them a boy with no mother, a girl with dark glasses, a dog of tears—through the barren streets, and their procession becomes as uncanny as the surroundings are harrowing. As Blindness reclaims the age-old story of a plague, it evokes the vivid and trembling horrors of the twentieth century, leaving readers with a powerful vision of the human spirit that’s bound both by weakness and exhilarating strength.
— from Goodreads
Book Review
“Blindness” by José Saramago is a haunting and profoundly impactful novel that explores the depths of human nature and the fragility of societal order. With its powerful allegorical narrative, lyrical prose, and thought-provoking themes, this book stands as a masterpiece of contemporary literature.
The story unfolds in a nameless city where an epidemic of sudden blindness begins to spread. As more and more people succumb to this “white blindness,” society begins to crumble, and the characters are forced to confront their deepest fears and basest instincts. Through their journey, Saramago crafts a chilling allegory that examines the dark underbelly of humanity and poses existential questions about the nature of morality, power, and empathy.
Saramago offers profound insights into the consequences of losing sight and how it impacts individual autonomy and the dynamics of relationships. His exploration of the human condition is unflinching, exposing the darkness that can lie dormant within us and challenging readers to confront their own capacity for good and evil.
“Blindness” is a thought-provoking and allegorical masterpiece that raises profound questions about society and the human experience. José Saramago’s exquisite prose, complex characters, and allegorical narrative combine to create a deeply resonant and thought-provoking experience. While it may require patience and openness to its unconventional style, the novel’s exploration of human nature and the indomitable spirit in the face of adversity make it an essential read for those seeking profound insights into the human condition. The novel’s impact extends beyond its pages, leaving readers with a deep sense of introspection and a renewed appreciation for the light that exists even in the darkest of times.