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watermelleon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
it is so hard to write a review for this one!!
the good bits:
the good bits:
- the writing style is completely unique. I have read nothing like this ever, and it has been a fully original experience.
- The characters were incredibly complex, despite not knowing their names or what they look like past a quirky defining feature used to establish who is in the room or speaking.
- In a book where almost no-one can see, this book has some of the most vivid and detailed descriptions I have ever read. I could map out a floor plan of a whole building, which absolutely added to the impact of what was happening within the novel.
- so many well thought out moments and quotes, the messaging behind this book was incredible. it feels like a very good time to be reading a book like this, as many instances early on felt very reminiscent of the current situation in Palestine (and other political situations), something saramago has spoken out about for many years.
- I really enjoyed reading this on holiday in portugal! although purposefully not set in a specific country or town, I felt very connected to the work this way - I also caught a glimpse at the saramago foundation community space in obidos :)
the challenges;
- the book is incredibly dark, and a difficult read. by far this book has some of the most uncomfortable scenes I have ever come across, with a lot of potentially triggering detail. However, it doesn't feel gratuitous, or there for the sake of it being there. It has a purpose, and I think any other author (my mind gravitates to stephen king) would have done a terrible job. What was unique for me was that saramago managed to centre these events through the eyes of the victims and not the perpetrators, something I have very rarely (if ever) seen in any other book.
- The writing style I imagine is not for everyone. It does take some getting used to, and I think this plus the traumatic contents do slow down the reading experience. I would not change this though!
- I wish I could have read this in portuguese. I think the translator did an excellent job, however it does (as it always will) feel like it is likely that the original flowery prose is lost to me!
- having known people on a personal basis that have lost their vision overnight, it was a concern to me going in how this concept would come across, and whether it would be too abelist for my tastes. I felt personally that this was avoided, however cannot speak on this opinion from the perspective of a visually impaired person. What made this book feel okay to myself personally was that: it was made very clear that it was a "medically impossible" blindness and not a known medical condition, as well as the one character that could see showing her own type of blindness, assuming that her blind friends needed her help when they were sufficient. what is referred to as "blindness" in this novel is perhaps more a state of mind, over level of vision.
I went into this book wondering if it would be a bit too close to the bone to those who in some way have lost their vision, but have left wondering perhaps the opposite. with something this descriptive and visual I feel like it could be an absolutely incredible audiobook journey!
I would recommend this book on everyone's bucket list, providing the topics covered aren't too difficult for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Pandemic/Epidemic, Body shaming, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Murder, Misogyny, Excrement, Confinement, Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Sexual content, Sexism, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Genocide, Toxic relationship, Torture, Mass/school shootings, and Blood
Minor: Car accident
isaospina's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Leí esté libro por primera vez en el 2011, como tarea del colegio. En ese entonces yo tenía 15, tal vez 16 años, era lectora por hobby, una diversión. Mis lecturas tenían poco análisis y apenas estaba incursionando en el mundo de los clásicos.
Poco o nada recordaba de este libro, pero por doce años una cosa era clara: la Isa adolescente disfrutó, devoró, la marcó algo de este libro. ¿Qué? No sé porque no recordaba nada, pero siempre que lo veía en una librería pensaba "lo mucho que me gustó este libro cuando lo leí para esa tarea de español".
Doce años después por fin me decidí a leerlo de nuevo. Reticente, sí, tenía miedo de no disfrutarlo nada porque siendo sinceros, muchas de las cosas que disfrutaba cuando era adolescente ahora las aborrezco.
Afortunadamente no había necesidad de preocuparme. Este libro es uno en el mundo, es una obra maestra de Saramago. Es terrorífico, es filosófico, es una distopía de esas que hacen que se te erice la piel porque todo es demasiado real, todo es demasiado cercano a algo que ya hemos vivido.
Leer Ensayo sobre la ceguera después del a pandemia fue una gran decisión (no creo que mi estado mental en la cuarentena hubiera mejorado un ápice si lo hubiese leído en ese momento), si Saramago hubiera estado vivo en medio de la pandemia del covid-19 seguro hubiera escrito algo más, o se hubiera ido de para atrás al ver qué tan realista Ensayo de la ceguera parece cuando se copara con lo que se hizo y cómo se manejó la pandemia de la vida real.
Es claro que no es un libro para los débiles de mente o corazón, los sensibles a salvajismos y muchos, muchos relatos escatológicos. Todos estos relatos de lo horrible que puede volverse la humanidad son lo que hace que uno se haga mil y un cuestionamientos sobre la identidad personal, sobre qué nos hace humanos, la belleza, los sentimientos, el poder, las dinámicas sociales, las posesiones, la resiliencia y muchísimo más.
El ritmo es tan rápido que uno tiene que parar la lectura para recuperar el aliento, para hacerse preguntas y tratar de responderlas (fallando, claro). El estilo de lectura no es fácil, con capítulos extensos y sin cortes o guiones para definir los diálogos, pero poco o nada resta a la calidad del libro.
Poco o nada recordaba de este libro, pero por doce años una cosa era clara: la Isa adolescente disfrutó, devoró, la marcó algo de este libro. ¿Qué? No sé porque no recordaba nada, pero siempre que lo veía en una librería pensaba "lo mucho que me gustó este libro cuando lo leí para esa tarea de español".
Doce años después por fin me decidí a leerlo de nuevo. Reticente, sí, tenía miedo de no disfrutarlo nada porque siendo sinceros, muchas de las cosas que disfrutaba cuando era adolescente ahora las aborrezco.
Afortunadamente no había necesidad de preocuparme. Este libro es uno en el mundo, es una obra maestra de Saramago. Es terrorífico, es filosófico, es una distopía de esas que hacen que se te erice la piel porque todo es demasiado real, todo es demasiado cercano a algo que ya hemos vivido.
Leer Ensayo sobre la ceguera después del a pandemia fue una gran decisión (no creo que mi estado mental en la cuarentena hubiera mejorado un ápice si lo hubiese leído en ese momento), si Saramago hubiera estado vivo en medio de la pandemia del covid-19 seguro hubiera escrito algo más, o se hubiera ido de para atrás al ver qué tan realista Ensayo de la ceguera parece cuando se copara con lo que se hizo y cómo se manejó la pandemia de la vida real.
Es claro que no es un libro para los débiles de mente o corazón, los sensibles a salvajismos y muchos, muchos relatos escatológicos. Todos estos relatos de lo horrible que puede volverse la humanidad son lo que hace que uno se haga mil y un cuestionamientos sobre la identidad personal, sobre qué nos hace humanos, la belleza, los sentimientos, el poder, las dinámicas sociales, las posesiones, la resiliencia y muchísimo más.
El ritmo es tan rápido que uno tiene que parar la lectura para recuperar el aliento, para hacerse preguntas y tratar de responderlas (fallando, claro). El estilo de lectura no es fácil, con capítulos extensos y sin cortes o guiones para definir los diálogos, pero poco o nada resta a la calidad del libro.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Gun violence, Vomit, Physical abuse, Blood, Excrement, Pandemic/Epidemic, Homophobia, Violence, Animal death, Car accident, and Confinement
moscatel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Continuo a amar o estilo do Saramago, é tão único e cheio de personalidade. Entendo que não seja para todos, por causa dos devaneios e juízos de moral constantes, mas eu acho que tem o seu charme.
Estive o livro todo a tentar formular para que defeito humano é que a cegueira era uma analogia (ou metáfora, não sei bem a diferença) e porque é que só uma personagem não cegou, mas não consegui chegar a nenhuma conclusão.
Estive o livro todo a tentar formular para que defeito humano é que a cegueira era uma analogia (ou metáfora, não sei bem a diferença) e porque é que só uma personagem não cegou, mas não consegui chegar a nenhuma conclusão.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, Confinement, Excrement, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Physical abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Animal death, Body horror, Car accident, Grief, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Homophobia and Suicidal thoughts
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