In 'Blindness' by José Saramago, an inexplicable epidemic of sudden blindness sweeps through a city, plunging society into chaos. As the afflicted are quarantined, the veneer of civilization quickly deteriorates, revealing humanity's darker instincts. A small group of individuals struggles to survive and maintain their humanity amid brutality and despair. Through poignant observations, Saramago explores themes of societal collapse, moral ambiguity, and the fragility of sight—both literal and metaphorical. This hauntingly profound narrative leaves readers questioning what it truly means to see.
By José Saramago
Published: 1999
"The blindness of the world is not just a physical condition, but the refusal to see the other, to understand the depths of human suffering and the bonds that connect us."
A city is hit by an epidemic of "white blindness" whose victims are confined to a vacant mental hospital, while a single eyewitness to the nightmare guides seven oddly assorted strangers through the barren urban landscape
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“The blindness of the world is not just a physical condition, but the refusal to see the other, to understand the depths of human suffering and the bonds that connect us.”
Blindness
By José Saramago
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José Saramago (1922-2010) was a Portuguese writer and Nobel Prize laureate in Literature, recognized for his unique narrative style and profound philosophical explorations. His notable works include 'Blindness', 'The Gospel According to Jesus Christ', and 'Baltasar and Blimunda'. Saramago's writing is characterized by long, flowing sentences, unconventional punctuation, and a blending of reality with allegory, often reflecting on themes of human existence, societal issues, and morality.
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