Friday, February 3, 2012

Friday Flashback Review: Blindness by Jose Saramago ★★★★

Friday Flashback is hosted by Jen @ The Introverted Reader.

BlindnessThis was definitely a thought provoking book.

What would the world be like if we all suddenly lost our ability to see? Would we try to help and protect each other or would we adopt such a heightened sense of self-preservation that it would make every other living being an enemy? Would we lose our humanity along with our sense of identity...?

It took me a little while to get the feel for this book, literally. Dialogue was reduced to a disorienting jumble of voices, which was effective in making sure that I heard the story rather than seeing it in my mind.

In addition, the narrative was purposefully obscure, with an absolute minimum of visual descriptions. The only real descriptions we obtain through the doctor's wife are of the dirtiness and depravity that we do not wish to see.

There were sections of this story that I found atrocious and horrifying, but not unbelievable. But all the while, there is an underlying sense of hope that makes the story beautiful and unforgettable.

Originally reviewed: October 6, 2008.

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