Blogcritics Comments on José Saramago's Blindness

Comment by ashley on José Saramago's Blindness

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 15:00:02 EDT

I really liked your review, and it now that i think of it, I can see the parallels between it and hurricane katrina. I was wondering, do you have any comments on the use of animals in a lot of Saramago's descriptions? ]]>

Comment by nathalie chabiland on José Saramago's Blindness

Sat, 3 Sep 2005 14:59:03 EDT

When i read what is happening to the 20 000 people trapped for 5 days in the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center, i thought right away about Blindness that i just read in the Spring. Since then, i regularly think about this book...But i always thought about it as a philosophical tale...And now that it is real... ]]>

Comment by Christopher Rollason on José Saramago's Blindness

Sat, 3 Sep 2005 08:51:55 EDT

The remarks about Saramago's BLINDNESS are right on target. The similitudes are horrifying, and Saramago as a great artist has indeed predicted with uncanny accuracy what happens to 'civilisation' as soon as the infrastructure breaks down. Martial law, governmental indifference, marauding gangs, all kinds of abuses and the near-disappeance of basic humanity. I will soon be publishing an article about this novel comparing it with Orwell's '1984'. If you come across any comments by Saramago on New Orleans, please let me know. ]]>

Comment by Joel Caris on José Saramago's Blindness

Fri, 2 Sep 2005 02:53:21 EDT

It would be interested to know what he thinks, Stephanie. I know the last few days I keep thinking about that book and marveling--in quite a bit of horror--that something almost exactly like that is happening here, in the United States. It's incredible, and absolutely horrifying. ]]>

Comment by Stephanie Blum on José Saramago's Blindness

Thu, 1 Sep 2005 18:53:35 EDT

Admist reports of rape and murder in New Orleans in the chaotic aftermath of the August 2005 hurricane, I wonder if Mr. Saramago had a comment regarding the accuracy of his predictions as depicted in "Blindness"? ]]>

Comment by Joel Caris on José Saramago's Blindness

Mon, 14 Feb 2005 07:20:54 EST

I would definitely recommend starting off with Blindness. It has to be one of his best books and you'll probably really like it. It will also give you a good introduction to the way he writes. I thought The Stand did a great job of dealing with the crumbling of society. I haven't read Lord of the Flies yet, but that's one of the books I keep meaning to pick up. In terms of end of the world type books, another good one is Swan Song by Robert McCammon. Personally, I put that right up there with The Stand. A truly great book. And thanks for selecting the review for Advance.net. ]]>

Comment by Eric Berlin on José Saramago's Blindness

Sun, 13 Feb 2005 20:33:31 EST

Great review, Joel. I too have been meaning to check out Saramago for years, though of course I've not yet done it. The Cave has tempted me several times in the book store, but now I'm tempted to put Blindness at the top of my list. I'm reminded here of two other novels, one literary and one "genre fiction": Lord of the Flies by William Golding and The Stand, by Stephen King. Both deal with a breakdown in society and with the humanity and evil that emerges in individuals when the chips are down and the rules have blown away like the wind. It looks as though Blindness captures a new and intriguing angle on this theme. This book review has been selected for Advance.net. You'll be able to find this and other Blog Critics reviews at such places at Cleveland.com's Book Reviews column. ]]>