I remember when the movie Blindness came out a few years ago, I thought “what a fascinating idea – everyone in the world suddenly goes blind except for a single woman!”  Once I learned it was originally a book, I decided to forego watching the movie, and decided to just read the book it was based on.  It turns out I was right – it is a fascinating idea, if not repulsive.  Jose Saramago’s vision of a society stricken blind is quite disturbing.

Unfortunately, while Blindness is a well-written, fascinating, disturbing book, it’s simply annoying and unpleasant to read.  Saramago makes some stylistic choices (which I assume are meant to convey to the reader what it’s like to lose one of your senses) that create an obnoxious reading experience.  Combine that with the disturbing content and it’s officially not fun on all accounts.  With that said, however, if you love to see the depravity of the human spirit, and want a book structured so that it is purposefully difficult to read, Blindness is for you, and I recommend it with all confidence that you will “enjoy” it.  For the rest of us, don’t bother.

“This is the stuff we’re made of, half indifference and half malice” (32).

Full database entry on Blindness.  Beware spoilers.