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jjb21'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
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: Body shaming, Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Car accident
diana311's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
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: Confinement, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Car accident, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia and Suicidal thoughts
madalenainwonderland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
annihilatrix'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? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Cannibalism, and Medical trauma
thegingerbreadhag's review against another edition
2.0
Now for what pissed me off and why I dont rate the book higher.
I'm still not on board with the comments that are like "it's a dystopia, bad shit happens". It reminds me of how the game of thrones show uses rape for their women characters' development, and it being justified by "well it's fantasy, medieval inspired, so of course it would happen". (Btw : YEAH. AND ? THERE ARE ALSO FUCKING DRAGONS IN THE SHOW. ARE WE BLAMING THAT ON HISTORICAL ACCURACY TOO, JOSH). Same here : yes it's a dystopia, yes it can be, as most dystopias are, a critic of modern society, and yes, rape is not exclusive to reality. But seriously ? You're telling me you asked yourself "what would happen if we all went blind" and one of the answer you come up with is gang rape ? Really ? I'm not asking for a lovey dovey scenario, or exclusively "solidarity, community, mutual aid and love conquers all" kind of stories. But I'll just say this. To have come up with gang rape as one of the answer AND one you chose to put exactly at the core of your book, just shows a deep lack of imagination, even if it's used as a comment on human morality.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Grief, and Murder