Scan barcode
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
stephanieanneauthor'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Grief, Rape, Excrement, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual violence, Sexism, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Death, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Animal death, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Police brutality
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
diana311's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Excrement, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Blood, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
_ami_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Police brutality, Pandemic/Epidemic, Misogyny, Murder, Confinement, Death, Rape, Gore, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Grief and Infidelity
guinness74's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Rape, and Police brutality
Minor: Infidelity and Vomit
moscatel's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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
lucimolri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Ha sido durillo y tenso, no es para todo el mundo
Graphic: Misogyny, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Sexual harassment, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Violence, Medical content, Infidelity, Vomit, Gun violence, Confinement, Chronic illness, Animal death, Physical abuse, Murder, Sexual content, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Rape
christinahill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Death, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Violence, Infidelity, Police brutality, Murder, Vomit, and Sexual content
vibmesq'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Gun violence, Police brutality, Murder, Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, Misogyny, Gore, Death, Animal death, Physical abuse, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Rape, Grief, and Confinement