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watermelleon's review against another edition
- 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
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!
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
rubyics's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Gore, Gun violence, Confinement, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Vomit
minna_s's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Sexual violence, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, Rape, Physical abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Confinement, Vomit, Excrement, and Forced institutionalization
eelitorr's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Murder, Vomit, Excrement, Gore, Violence, Sexual violence, and Pandemic/Epidemic
laurenbowes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Murder, Vomit, and Sexual violence
ahzarkie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, Gun violence, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Death, Confinement, and Blood
tmbrundage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Grief, Torture, Gore, Confinement, Bullying, Sexual violence, Vomit, Rape, Murder, Infidelity, Gun violence, Death, and Violence
teawiththefates's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Ableism, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Excrement, Sexual assault, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Violence
moonymars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In Saramago's "Ensaio sobre a Cegueira" (Blindness) an epidemic of blindness takes over the world. We follow characters that were looked up a mental hospital so their blindness doesn't spread. However, one of the characters never blinds, she never loses her vision and ends up being a witness to the horror that came over the country.
I hate writing big reviews, so overall, this is a great book with good social critiques and a good analysis of the human condition.
book tw: violence, rape (heavy on this one), dead, murder
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Murder, Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Violence
f_zanini's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Death, Death of parent, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Vomit, Bullying, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Gore, and Sexism