Blindness essay

The calligraphy on the cover is by the musician and writer Chico Buarque

A man goes blind, inexplicably, when he finds himself in his car in traffic. Blindness spreads like 'a wildfire'. A collective blindness. Hard-hitting romance. Saramago to see further. Nameless characters. A world with the contradictions of the human species. It is not located in any specific time. It's a time that could be yesterday, today or tomorrow. The ideas to come to the top, always in the writing of Saramago. The allegory. The power of the word to open your eyes, given the risk of a generalized terminal situation. The art of writing at the service of civic concern.

«Blindness essay It's a kind of imago mundi, an image of the world we live in: a world of intolerance, exploitation, cruelty, indifference, and cynicism. But some will say, "There are people like that too." Yes, there are, but the world isn't going in that direction. There are people capable of becoming human, people who are becoming more human through an effort to suppress selfishness. But the world as a whole isn't going in that direction.“
Foundation

A unique and limited edition.

Preface by Vasco Graça Moura

The end of his fiction, the end of all fiction, is to fly, to rise up, soaring above, not nonexistent skies nor magical realities, but to detach oneself from one's own human reality—heavy, obscure, opaque—to see better, or in a different way, the light it conceals, the original clarity of each human being obscured by the weight of the world, which may only be that of our own darkness. — Eduardo Lourenço, The Song of the Sign

Let the reader also note how this epidemic blindness corresponds to a sea of luminous whiteness and not to the traditional darkness of sight deprivation… — Maria Alzira Seixo, Jornal de Letras

This is a frankly terrible book, one that I want the reader to suffer as much as I suffered while writing it… It's 300 pages of constant anguish. Through writing, I tried to say that we are not good and that we need the courage to recognize it. — José Saramago

«"A man inexplicably goes blind while in his car in the middle of traffic. The blindness spreads like wildfire. A collective blindness. A powerful novel. Saramago seeing further. Nameless characters. A world with the contradictions of the human species. It is not set in any specific time. It is a time that could be yesterday, today, or tomorrow. Ideas surfacing, always in Saramago's writing. Allegory. The power of words to open eyes, in the face of the risk of a widespread terminal situation. The art of writing at the service of civic concern." (Diário de Notícias, October 9, 1998)

«"A man inexplicably goes blind while in his car in the middle of traffic. The blindness spreads like wildfire. A collective blindness. A powerful novel. Saramago seeing further. Nameless characters. A world with the contradictions of the human species. It is not set in any specific time. It is a time that could be yesterday, today, or tomorrow. Ideas surfacing, always in Saramago's writing. Allegory. The power of words to open eyes, in the face of the risk of a widespread terminal situation. The art of writing at the service of civic concern." (Diário de Notícias, October 9, 1998)

«"A man inexplicably goes blind while in his car in the middle of traffic. The blindness spreads like wildfire. A collective blindness. A powerful novel. Saramago seeing further. Nameless characters. A world with the contradictions of the human species. It is not set in any specific time. It is a time that could be yesterday, today, or tomorrow. Ideas surfacing, always in Saramago's writing. Allegory. The power of words to open eyes, in the face of the risk of a widespread terminal situation. The art of writing at the service of civic concern." (Diário de Notícias, October 9, 1998)

With a preface by Zeferino Coelho

Blindness is a unique book in our literary history and, it must be said, one of the great novels written in the 20th century. And this, in my opinion, is a necessary and sufficient reason to place it at the beginning of this "Essential Collection," which RTP has wisely decided to promote.

Zeferino Coelho

Circle of Readers

1996

Circle of Readers

1996

Shkrimtari english Jose Saramago, më 1998 fitoi çmimin “Nobel”.”Shpesh njerëzit tregohen të verbër, apo bëjnë sikur. dhatë çmim. noblelistit të shquar.

In einer namenlosen Stadt erblinden aus unerfindlichen Gründen immer mehr Menschen. Schon nach kurzer Zeit nimmt dieses Phänomen die Ausmaße einer Epidemie an. Panik macht sich breit, und der Staat greift zu drastischen Mitteln. Er interniert die Erblindeten und überlässt sie sich selbst – mit fatalen Folgen.
Der portugiesische Nobelpreisträger stellt in seinem Roman die Frage nach Gut und Böse und was sich hinter der kultivierten Fassade der westlichen Gesellschaft verbirgt.

Das Buch zum Film

Ein Mann steht an einer roten Ampel und wartet auf Grün, doch plötzlich ist er blind.Sein Augenarzt steht vor einem Rätsel. Noch am gleichen Abend erblindet auch er. Wie eine gefährliche Seuche greift die Blindheit um sich. Der Staat reagiert hilflos und sperrt die Blinden in eine leerstehende Irrenanstalt. Schon bald sind die Zustände in dem Haus katastrophal. Zunehmend sind die Insassen dem Terror ihrer Bewacher ausgesetzt. Unter ihnen ist auch der Arzt mit seiner Frau. Sie ist die einzige Sehende …Prominent verfilmt mit Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo und Gael García Bernal war „Blindness“ 2008 der Eröffnungsfilm bei den Festspielen von Cannes. Das Buch zum Film enthält zahlreiche Fotos.„Ich bin über den Film genauso glücklich wie damals beim Schreiben des Buches.“ (José Saramago) IM MAGAZINEine Ampel in einer namenlosen Stadt springt auf Grün. Ein Auto bleibt dennoch stehen. Der Fahrer ist urplötzlich erblindet. Den freundlichen Helfer, der den Erblindeten nach Hause bringt und sich anschließend dessen Autos bemächtigt, ereilt das gleiche Schicksal. Wie eine Epidemie greift die Blindheit um sich. Der Staat reacts brutally. Die Erblindeten werden in einem leerstehenden Irrenhaus interniert, wo sie sich selbst überlassen werden. Doch es gibt eine Sehende unter ihnen, die die Krankheit nur vorgetäuscht hat, um bei ihrem Mann zu bleiben. Mit ihrer Hilfe könnte der Ausbruch gelingen…

«Ein brillanter Roman» («Neue Zürcher Zeitung») des Literatur-Nobelpreisträgers 1998.

Das Buch zum Film

Ein Mann steht an einer roten Ampel und wartet auf Grün, doch plötzlich ist er blind.Sein Augenarzt steht vor einem Rätsel. Noch am gleichen Abend erblindet auch er. Wie eine gefährliche Seuche greift die Blindheit um sich. Der Staat reagiert hilflos und sperrt die Blinden in eine leerstehende Irrenanstalt. Schon bald sind die Zustände in dem Haus katastrophal. Zunehmend sind die Insassen dem Terror ihrer Bewacher ausgesetzt. Unter ihnen ist auch der Arzt mit seiner Frau. Sie ist die einzige Sehende …Prominent verfilmt mit Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo und Gael García Bernal war „Blindness“ 2008 der Eröffnungsfilm bei den Festspielen von Cannes. Das Buch zum Film enthält zahlreiche Fotos.„Ich bin über den Film genauso glücklich wie damals beim Schreiben des Buches.“ (José Saramago) IM MAGAZINEine Ampel in einer namenlosen Stadt springt auf Grün. Ein Auto bleibt dennoch stehen. Der Fahrer ist urplötzlich erblindet. Den freundlichen Helfer, der den Erblindeten nach Hause bringt und sich anschließend dessen Autos bemächtigt, ereilt das gleiche Schicksal. Wie eine Epidemie greift die Blindheit um sich. Der Staat reacts brutally. Die Erblindeten werden in einem leerstehenden Irrenhaus interniert, wo sie sich selbst überlassen werden. Doch es gibt eine Sehende unter ihnen, die die Krankheit nur vorgetäuscht hat, um bei ihrem Mann zu bleiben. Mit ihrer Hilfe könnte der Ausbruch gelingen…

«Ein brillanter Roman» («Neue Zürcher Zeitung») des Literatur-Nobelpreisträgers 1998.

Das Buch zum Film

Ein Mann steht an einer roten Ampel und wartet auf Grün, doch plötzlich ist er blind.Sein Augenarzt steht vor einem Rätsel. Noch am gleichen Abend erblindet auch er. Wie eine gefährliche Seuche greift die Blindheit um sich. Der Staat reagiert hilflos und sperrt die Blinden in eine leerstehende Irrenanstalt. Schon bald sind die Zustände in dem Haus katastrophal. Zunehmend sind die Insassen dem Terror ihrer Bewacher ausgesetzt. Unter ihnen ist auch der Arzt mit seiner Frau. Sie ist die einzige Sehende …Prominent verfilmt mit Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo und Gael García Bernal war „Blindness“ 2008 der Eröffnungsfilm bei den Festspielen von Cannes. Das Buch zum Film enthält zahlreiche Fotos.„Ich bin über den Film genauso glücklich wie damals beim Schreiben des Buches.“ (José Saramago) IM MAGAZINEine Ampel in einer namenlosen Stadt springt auf Grün. Ein Auto bleibt dennoch stehen. Der Fahrer ist urplötzlich erblindet. Den freundlichen Helfer, der den Erblindeten nach Hause bringt und sich anschließend dessen Autos bemächtigt, ereilt das gleiche Schicksal. Wie eine Epidemie greift die Blindheit um sich. Der Staat reacts brutally. Die Erblindeten werden in einem leerstehenden Irrenhaus interniert, wo sie sich selbst überlassen werden. Doch es gibt eine Sehende unter ihnen, die die Krankheit nur vorgetäuscht hat, um bei ihrem Mann zu bleiben. Mit ihrer Hilfe könnte der Ausbruch gelingen…

«Ein brillanter Roman» («Neue Zürcher Zeitung») des Literatur-Nobelpreisträgers 1998.

Das Buch zum Film

Ein Mann steht an einer roten Ampel und wartet auf Grün, doch plötzlich ist er blind.Sein Augenarzt steht vor einem Rätsel. Noch am gleichen Abend erblindet auch er. Wie eine gefährliche Seuche greift die Blindheit um sich. Der Staat reagiert hilflos und sperrt die Blinden in eine leerstehende Irrenanstalt. Schon bald sind die Zustände in dem Haus katastrophal. Zunehmend sind die Insassen dem Terror ihrer Bewacher ausgesetzt. Unter ihnen ist auch der Arzt mit seiner Frau. Sie ist die einzige Sehende …Prominent verfilmt mit Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo und Gael García Bernal war „Blindness“ 2008 der Eröffnungsfilm bei den Festspielen von Cannes. Das Buch zum Film enthält zahlreiche Fotos.„Ich bin über den Film genauso glücklich wie damals beim Schreiben des Buches.“ (José Saramago) IM MAGAZINEine Ampel in einer namenlosen Stadt springt auf Grün. Ein Auto bleibt dennoch stehen. Der Fahrer ist urplötzlich erblindet. Den freundlichen Helfer, der den Erblindeten nach Hause bringt und sich anschließend dessen Autos bemächtigt, ereilt das gleiche Schicksal. Wie eine Epidemie greift die Blindheit um sich. Der Staat reacts brutally. Die Erblindeten werden in einem leerstehenden Irrenhaus interniert, wo sie sich selbst überlassen werden. Doch es gibt eine Sehende unter ihnen, die die Krankheit nur vorgetäuscht hat, um bei ihrem Mann zu bleiben. Mit ihrer Hilfe könnte der Ausbruch gelingen…

«Ein brillanter Roman» («Neue Zürcher Zeitung») des Literatur-Nobelpreisträgers 1998.

Saramagos Reply to Die Pest by Albert Camus.

Ein Mann steht an einer Ampel. Von einer Sekunde auf die nächste, ohne erklärbaren Grund, erblindet er. Wie ihm ergeht es immer mehr Menschen in seiner Heimatstadt. Wie eine Seuche greift die Blindheit um sich. Die Regierenden wissen sich nicht anders zu helfen, als die Betroffenen in einer verlassenen Irrenanstalt einzuquartieren – unter der Bewachung von Soldaten, die auf jeden schießen, der fliehen will. Je mehr Blinde dort zusammengepfercht werden, desto schlimmer, desto unmenschlicher wird die Situation. Inmitten dieses uvamen Chaos befindet sich ein Augenarzt mit seiner Frau – die als Einzige noch sehen kann …

Büchergilde Gutenberg

1997 (Trans.: Ray-Güde Mertin)

Büchergilde Gutenberg

1997 (Trans.: Ray-Güde Mertin)

Jahrhundert Edition

1997 (Trans.: Ray-Güde Mertin)

Hörbuch

1998 (Audiobook)

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first step towards a “white blindness” that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the ciegos will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price. Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about the “responsibility of having eyes when others lose them”. José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the dark times we are living and wonders about the possibility of sustaining hope. The reader will know a unique imaginative experience. In a world where literature and wisdom intersect, this novel forces us to stop, close our eyes and “see”. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental purposes of this work, which is also a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity. “There is something in us that doesn’t have a name, that thing is what we are”, declares one of the characters. Perhaps the deepest desire of human beings could be to give themselves, one day, their true name.

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first step towards a “white blindness” that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the ciegos will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price. Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about the “responsibility of having eyes when others lose them”. José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the dark times we are living and wonders about the possibility of sustaining hope. The reader will know a unique imaginative experience. In a world where literature and wisdom intersect, this novel forces us to stop, close our eyes and “see”. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental purposes of this work, which is also a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity. “There is something in us that doesn’t have a name, that thing is what we are”, declares one of the characters. Perhaps the deepest desire of human beings could be to give themselves, one day, their true name.

Nəşr edildikdən sonra Avropada böyük ajiotaj yaradan əsərin arxa fonunda çox böyük ictimai-siyasi-mədəni tənqid dayanır. Təkcə ədəbi yaradıcılığı ilə deyil, siyasi fəaliyyəti ilə də seçilən, həyatının sonuna qədər kommunizmə, sol ideyalara sadiq qalan portuqal yazıçının bu romanı yeni dövrə, kapitalizmə və onun gətirdiyi naqisliklərə qarşı yazılmış ən möhtəşəm əsərlərdən biri sayılır. Amma ədəbi əsəri təkcə hansısa ideologiyanın çərçivələrində şərh eləmək də düzgün olmazdı.

Dahiyanə «Korluq» romanını oxuyan istənilən dünyagörüşə sahib oxucu orada özü üçün faydalı, öz dünyasının qaranlıq bucaqlarına işıq salan fikirlərlə qarşılaşacaq. Bu roman müasir ədəbiyyatın şedevrlərindən biri sayılır.

Sandesh

(Translated by Saokot Hossain)

The calligraphy on the cover is by the musician and writer Chico Buarque.

A terrifying "white darkness" is blinding the inhabitants of a city, one by one. With this terrifying fantasy, Saramago forces us to close our eyes and see. To regain lucidity, to rescue affection: these are the tasks of the writer and of each reader, in the face of the pressure of the times and what has been lost.

A driver stopped at a traffic light suddenly finds himself blind. It is the first case of a "white blindness" that soon spreads uncontrollably. Confined in quarantine, the blind will find themselves reduced to their human essence, in a true journey into darkness.

Blindness is the fantasy of an author who reminds us of "the responsibility of having eyes when others have lost them." José Saramago gives us here a terrifying and moving image of dark times, on the brink of a new millennium, placing himself alongside the greatest modern visionaries, such as Franz Kafka and Elias Canetti. Each reader will live a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom intersect, José Saramago compels us to stop, close our eyes, and see. To recover lucidity, to rescue affection: these are the tasks of the writer and of each reader, in the face of the pressure of the times and what has been lost: "something that has no name, that thing is what we are.".

“Yes, Blindness is a book to read during this time of seclusion and confinement due to the coronavirus. But not to think about how a disease that spreads uncontrollably can change our lives, but rather how our lives may have been completely misguided before this disease arrived.” — Renato Rovai, Fórum Magazine

Special edition of José Saramago's masterpiece, with a preface by Julián Fuks and critical commentary including texts by Maria Alzira Seixo, Marco Lucchesi, and Leyla Perrone-Moisés, as well as a selection of excerpts from... Lanzarote notebooks.

A driver stopped at a traffic light suddenly discovers he is blind. It is the first case of a "white blindness" that soon spreads uncontrollably. Confined to quarantine, the blind will find themselves reduced to their human essence, in a true journey into darkness. *Blindness* is the fantasy of an author who reminds us of "the responsibility of having eyes when others have lost them." José Saramago gives us here a terrifying and moving image of dark times, on the brink of a new millennium, placing himself alongside the greatest modern visionaries, such as Franz Kafka and Elias Canetti. Each reader will live a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom intersect, José Saramago compels us to stop, close our eyes, and see. To recover lucidity, to rescue affection: these are the tasks of the writer and of each reader, in the face of the pressure of the times and what has been lost: "something that has no name, that thing is what we are.".

A driver stopped at a traffic light suddenly discovers he is blind. It is the first case of a "white blindness" that soon spreads uncontrollably. Confined to quarantine, the blind will find themselves reduced to their human essence, in a true journey into darkness. *Blindness* is the fantasy of an author who reminds us of "the responsibility of having eyes when others have lost them." José Saramago gives us here a terrifying and moving image of dark times, on the brink of a new millennium, placing himself alongside the greatest modern visionaries, such as Franz Kafka and Elias Canetti. Each reader will live a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom intersect, José Saramago compels us to stop, close our eyes, and see. To recover lucidity, to rescue affection: these are the tasks of the writer and of each reader, in the face of the pressure of the times and what has been lost: "something that has no name, that thing is what we are.".

A driver stopped at a traffic light suddenly discovers he is blind. It is the first case of a "white blindness" that soon spreads uncontrollably. Confined to quarantine, the blind will find themselves reduced to their human essence, in a true journey into darkness. *Blindness* is the fantasy of an author who reminds us of "the responsibility of having eyes when others have lost them." José Saramago gives us here a terrifying and moving image of dark times, on the brink of a new millennium, placing himself alongside the greatest modern visionaries, such as Franz Kafka and Elias Canetti. Each reader will live a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom intersect, José Saramago compels us to stop, close our eyes, and see. To recover lucidity, to rescue affection: these are the tasks of the writer and of each reader, in the face of the pressure of the times and what has been lost: "something that has no name, that thing is what we are.".

A driver stopped at a traffic light suddenly finds himself blind. It is the first case of a "white blindness" that soon spreads uncontrollably. Confined in quarantine, the blind will find themselves reduced to their human essence, in a true journey into darkness.

Blindness is the fantasy of an author who reminds us of "the responsibility of having eyes when others have lost them." José Saramago gives us here a terrifying and moving image of dark times, on the brink of a new millennium, placing himself alongside the greatest modern visionaries, such as Franz Kafka and Elias Canetti. Each reader will live a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom intersect, José Saramago compels us to stop, close our eyes, and see. To recover lucidity, to rescue affection: these are the tasks of the writer and of each reader, in the face of the pressure of the times and what has been lost: "something that has no name, that thing is what we are.".

„Слепота“ (1995) and може би най-известният роман in който фантазия и реалност се преплитат и ни позволяват да видим много по-ясно вътрешния си свят. В една неназована държава, в един неназован град, докато чака на светофара зад волана на клата си, eдин мъж внезапно ослепява. It's началото на епидемия, която се разпространява светкавично в цялата страна. Затворени в болница или оставени сами на себе си, лишени от всякакъв ориентир, ордите слепци са изправени пред най-примитивното у човека – волята за оцеляване на всяка цена. Предвожда ги една жена – единственото същество, което не е поразено от „сияйната белота“. Героите на този великолепен и необикновен роман преминават през хиляди перипетии. Любовта, омразата, жестокостта, безразличието, страхът – все страсти, които ни заслепяват и чрез които Жозе Сарамаго изгражда потресаваща алегория на времето, в което живеем.По романа е заснет нашумелият филм на Фернандо Мейрелес „Blindness“ (2008).

Reading Life

2014, 2018, 2019 (Trans.: Fan Weixin)

hainaim

1998, 2008

hainaim

1998, 2008

«Poslijepodne je pristiglo još troje slijepaca, protjeranih iz drugog krila. Jedna od njih bila je službenica iz ordinacije, koju je liječnivoka žena odmah prepoznala, a ostala dvojica, tako je htjela sudbina, muškarac koji je bio u hotelu s djevojkom s tamnim naočalama i onaj neotesani policajac koji ju je otpratio kući. Tek su se domogli kreveta i posjedali na njih, nasumce, službenica iz ordinacije neutješno je plakala, dvojica muškaraca su šutjeli, kao da još uvijek ne shvaćaju što im se dogada. Iznenada se izvana začu neka galama, krikovi, izvikivanje zapovjedi, razularena dernjava. Slijepci u spavaonici okrenuše svi glave prema vratima, u iščekivanju. Nisu mogli vidjeti, ali su znali što će dogoditi u sljedećim trenucima. Liječnikova žena, sjedeći na krevetu pored muža, reče tiho, To se kad-tad moralo dogoditi, obećani pakao je pred nama.»

Art and Literature Editorial

2003 (Translated by Basilio Losada)

En bilist standser for rødt. Og da lyset skifter, rører han sig ikke. Han er pludselig blevet blind.

Et venligt medmenneske hjælper bilisten med at komme hjem. It doesn't give you a chance to blevet blind.

Det er begyndelsen på en uforklarlig epedemi, som snart fører til kaos, rædsel og brutalitet. Det ukendte og skræmmende sætter mekanismer i gang, som fjerner dannelsens tynde fernis. Men til trods for blindheden er der dog stadig nogen, der 'ser' og forsøger at samle de gode kræfter.

José Saramagos roman kan læses som en fabel, en realistisk fantasy med stærke politiske undertoner. Men heller ikke i denne sammenhæng mangler livet de bizarre sider, humoren og de overraskende vendinger, der er typiske for Saramagos fortællemåde.

Modtager af Nobelprisen i litteratur i 1998.

Press Script:

»Romanen hører til det absolute bedste fra den gamle mesters hånd.«

– Thomas Thurah, Information

»Måske Saramagos vigtigste og mest interesting bog. Hans sprog er det rigeste, mest indfaldsrige og fantasyfulde, der skrives inden for det portugisiske område.«

– Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

En bilist standser for rødt. Og da lyset skifter, rører han sig ikke. Han er pludselig blevet blind.

Et venligt medmenneske hjælper bilisten med at komme hjem. It doesn't give you a chance to blevet blind.

Det er begyndelsen på en uforklarlig epedemi, som snart fører til kaos, rædsel og brutalitet. Det ukendte og skræmmende sætter mekanismer i gang, som fjerner dannelsens tynde fernis. Men til trods for blindheden er der dog stadig nogen, der 'ser' og forsøger at samle de gode kræfter.

José Saramagos roman kan læses som en fabel, en realistisk fantasy med stærke politiske undertoner. Men heller ikke i denne sammenhæng mangler livet de bizarre sider, humoren og de overraskende vendinger, der er typiske for Saramagos fortællemåde.

Modtager af Nobelprisen i litteratur i 1998.

Press Script:

»Romanen hører til det absolute bedste fra den gamle mesters hånd.«

– Thomas Thurah, Information

»Måske Saramagos vigtigste og mest interesting bog. Hans sprog er det rigeste, mest indfaldsrige og fantasyfulde, der skrives inden for det portugisiske område.«

– Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

En bilist standser for rødt. Og da lyset skifter, rører han sig ikke. Han er pludselig blevet blind.

Et venligt medmenneske hjælper bilisten med at komme hjem. It doesn't give you a chance to blevet blind.

Det er begyndelsen på en uforklarlig epedemi, som snart fører til kaos, rædsel og brutalitet. Det ukendte og skræmmende sætter mekanismer i gang, som fjerner dannelsens tynde fernis. Men til trods for blindheden er der dog stadig nogen, der 'ser' og forsøger at samle de gode kræfter.

José Saramagos roman kan læses som en fabel, en realistisk fantasy med stærke politiske undertoner. Men heller ikke i denne sammenhæng mangler livet de bizarre sider, humoren og de overraskende vendinger, der er typiske for Saramagos fortællemåde.

Modtager af Nobelprisen i litteratur i 1998.

Press Script:

»Romanen hører til det absolute bedste fra den gamle mesters hånd.«

– Thomas Thurah, Information

»Måske Saramagos vigtigste og mest interesting bog. Hans sprog er det rigeste, mest indfaldsrige og fantasyfulde, der skrives inden for det portugisiske område.«

– Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Tajuplný román Mesto slepých, ktorý vyšiel roku 1995, naznačuje istý odklon autor od predchádzajúcej tematickej línie, inšpirovanej históriau a historickými udalosťami. Tentoraz sa obracia smerom k budúcnosti a uplatňuje svoju nezvyčajnú predstavivosť pri konštruovaní katastrofickej vízie sveta, ktorý sa vťaka obrovskej technickej vyspelosti stava zraniteľnejším, ako kedykoľvek predtým. Autentickosť rozprávania Saramago už tradične dosahuje svojimi spisovateľskými attribútmi: vynechávaním interpunkcie, orálnosťou a ironickým podtónom. Knihu preložila Miroslava Petrovská.

Založba

1998 (Trans.: Barbara Juršič)

Vrhunci Stoletja

1998 (Trans.: Barbara Juršič)

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them».

«Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are.»

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first case of a «white blindness» that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the elderly will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them». José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the times we are living. In a world like this, will there be any hope?

The reader will experience a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom meet, José Saramago forces us to stop, close our eyes and see. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental proposals of a novel that is, also, a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them».

«Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are.»

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first case of a «white blindness» that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the elderly will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them». José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the times we are living. In a world like this, will there be any hope?

The reader will experience a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom meet, José Saramago forces us to stop, close our eyes and see. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental proposals of a novel that is, also, a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them».

«Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are.»

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first case of a «white blindness» that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the elderly will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them». José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the times we are living. In a world like this, will there be any hope?

The reader will experience a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom meet, José Saramago forces us to stop, close our eyes and see. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental proposals of a novel that is, also, a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them».

«Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are.»

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first case of a «white blindness» that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the elderly will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them». José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the times we are living. In a world like this, will there be any hope?

The reader will experience a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom meet, José Saramago forces us to stop, close our eyes and see. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental proposals of a novel that is, also, a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them».

«Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are.»

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first case of a «white blindness» that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the elderly will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them». José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the times we are living. In a world like this, will there be any hope?

The reader will experience a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom meet, José Saramago forces us to stop, close our eyes and see. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental proposals of a novel that is, also, a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them».

«Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are.»

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first case of a «white blindness» that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the elderly will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them». José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the times we are living. In a world like this, will there be any hope?

The reader will experience a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom meet, José Saramago forces us to stop, close our eyes and see. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental proposals of a novel that is, also, a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them».

«Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are.»

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first case of a «white blindness» that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the elderly will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them». José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the times we are living. In a world like this, will there be any hope?

The reader will experience a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom meet, José Saramago forces us to stop, close our eyes and see. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental proposals of a novel that is, also, a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them».

«Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are.»

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first case of a «white blindness» that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the elderly will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them». José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the times we are living. In a world like this, will there be any hope?

The reader will experience a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom meet, José Saramago forces us to stop, close our eyes and see. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental proposals of a novel that is, also, a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them».

«Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are.»

A man stopped at a red traffic light suddenly falls into the dark. This is the first case of a «white blindness» that is expanding in a devastating way. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the elderly will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive at any price.

Essay on blindness is the fiction of an author who warns us about «the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them». José Saramago brings in this book a terrifying and moving image of the times we are living. In a world like this, will there be any hope?

The reader will experience a unique imaginative experience. At a point where literature and wisdom meet, José Saramago forces us to stop, close our eyes and see. Recovering lucidity and rescuing affection are the fundamental proposals of a novel that is, also, a reflection on the ethics of love and solidarity.

«A man stopped with his car before a red traffic light suddenly becomes blind. She is the first victim of an epidemic of “white blindness” that is expanding rapidly. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the blind will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive. What would life be like if one day we were all blind? In a world like this, is there any hope? José Saramago brings in this novel a terrifying – and moving – parable of the dark times that we are living at the doors of a new millennium, and warns us about “the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them”. expressive, Essay on blindness constitutes one of Saramago's best pages. In this book of great wisdom it is perpetuated in an unforgettable way that, since antiquity, has worried the religions and philosophers.»«A man stopped with his car before a red traffic light becomes suddenly blind. She is the first victim of an epidemic of “white blindness” that is expanding rapidly. Interned in quarantine or lost in the city, the blind will have to face what is most primitive in human nature: the will to survive. What would life be like if one day we were all blind? In a world like this, is there any hope? José Saramago brings in this novel a terrifying – and moving – parable of the dark times that we are living at the doors of a new millennium, and warns us about “the responsibility of having eyes when others lose them”. expressive, Essay on blindness constitutes one of Saramago's best pages. In this book of great wisdom it is perpetuated in an unforgettable way that, since ancient times, has concerned religions and philosophers.»

Readers' Circle

2001 (Translated by Basilio Losada)

Suddenly, a driver is completely falling down while standing at a red traffic light. Aviat, so much of the mother with him that he goes to visit, and some of his patients, losing sight of the cause of an epidemic that is expanding in a fulminant way. The owner of the metge is not blind, but she loves her intention to accompany her husband to the center that prepares the authorities to help her cecs. The epidemic is not s'atura i els ulls de la dona veuran horroritzats un hellon centenars de cecs hauran de lluitar per viure a qualsevol preu. José Saramago, Nobel Prize winner for Literature 1998, traces to Assaig about blindness a terrifying image of the sad times that are alive and described a great sense of piety in which it governs chaos and disconcert.”It is so well plotted that it is impossible to stop realizing it.” La Vanguardia

Suddenly, a driver is completely falling down while standing at a red traffic light. Aviat, so much of the mother with him that he goes to visit, and some of his patients, losing sight of the cause of an epidemic that is expanding in a fulminant way. The owner of the metge is not blind, but she loves her intention to accompany her husband to the center that prepares the authorities to help her cecs. The epidemic does not stop and the last of the woman's mother is horrified by a hell on hundreds of cecs that have died after surviving a previous death.José Saramago, Nobel Prize winner for Literature 1998, traces to Assaig about blindness a terrifying image of the sad times that are alive He described a great sense of piety in which he governs chaos and confusion. “It’s so well planned that it’s impossible to stop bringing it to fruition.” La Vanguardia

Portugali kirjaniku, Nobeli preemia laureaadi (1998) José Saramago (s 1922) allegoorilis-sümbolistlik romaan kirjeldab seletamatu “valge pimeduse” ehk sotsiaalse nägemisvõimetuse käes vaevlevat ühiskonda, mille liikmed peavad toime tulema üha suureneva füüsilise ja moraalse kaose tingimustes, kus inimloomus ilmutab oma kõige tumedamaid tahke. Author annab heaoluühiskonnale raske, kuid kiiret lahendust nõudva ülesande: saada lahti “pimestavast” apaatiast ning kasvatada ligimesearmastusevõimet.

A city is hit by an epidemic of “white blindness” which spares no one. Authorities confine the blind to an empty mental hospital, but there the criminal element holds everyone captive, stealing food rations and raping women. There is one eyewitness to this nightmare who guides seven strangers-among them a boy with no mother, a girl with dark glasses, a dog of tears-through the barren streets, and the procession becomes as uncanny as the surroundings are harrowing. A magnificent parable of loss and disorientation and a vivid evocation of the horrors of the twentieth century, Blindness has swept the reading public with its powerful portrayal of man's worst appetites and weaknesses-and man's ultimately exhilarating spirit. The stunningly powerful novel of man's will to survive against all odds, by the winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize for Literature.”This is an important book, one that is unafraid to face all of the horrors of the century”The Washington PostA New York Times notable book of the yearA Los Angeles Times best book of the year

A city is hit by an epidemic of “white blindness” which spares no one. Authorities confine the blind to an empty mental hospital, but there the criminal element holds everyone captive, stealing food rations and raping women. There is one eyewitness to this nightmare who guides seven strangers-among them a boy with no mother, a girl with dark glasses, a dog of tears-through the barren streets, and the procession becomes as uncanny as the surroundings are harrowing. A magnificent parable of loss and disorientation and a vivid evocation of the horrors of the twentieth century, Blindness has swept the reading public with its powerful portrayal of man's worst appetites and weaknesses-and man's ultimately exhilarating spirit. The stunningly powerful novel of man's will to survive against all odds, by the winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize for Literature.”This is an important book, one that is unafraid to face all of the horrors of the century”The Washington PostA New York Times notable book of the yearA Los Angeles Times best book of the year

A city is hit by an epidemic of “white blindness” which spares no one. Authorities confine the blind to an empty mental hospital, but there the criminal element holds everyone captive, stealing food rations and raping women. There is one eyewitness to this nightmare who guides seven strangers-among them a boy with no mother, a girl with dark glasses, a dog of tears-through the barren streets, and the procession becomes as uncanny as the surroundings are harrowing. A magnificent parable of loss and disorientation and a vivid evocation of the horrors of the twentieth century, Blindness has swept the reading public with its powerful portrayal of man's worst appetites and weaknesses-and man's ultimately exhilarating spirit. The stunningly powerful novel of man's will to survive against all odds, by the winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize for Literature.”This is an important book, one that is unafraid to face all of the horrors of the century”The Washington PostA New York Times notable book of the yearA Los Angeles Times best book of the year

This collection, available exclusively in e-book form, brings together the twelve novels (and one novella) of the great Portuguese writer José Saramago, with an introductory essay by Ursula Le Guin. From Saramago's early work, like the enchanting Baltasar & Blimunda and the controversial Gospel According to Jesus Christ, through his masterpiece Blindness and its sequel Seeing, to his later fables of politics, chance, history, and love, like All the Names and Death with Interruptions, this volume showcases the range and depth of Saramago's career, his inimitable narrative voice, and his vast reserves of invention, humor, and understanding.

“Kertomus sokeudesta vakuutti minut lopullisesti Saramagon neroudesta. Jos ylipäätään lukee kirjoja, on rikos jättää tämä kirja lukematta. yhtä fyysistä, pelottavaa ja paikka paikoin kuvottavaa teosta en muista.”
– Juha Itkonen, Image 2007/8

Kaupungissa riehuu outo epidemic. Ihmiset alkavat nähdä pelkkää valkoista. Jotta sarauden leviäminen voitaisiin estää, sokeille perustetaan reservaatteja. Näkevien pelko sokeutumisesta ajaa inhimillisyyden ohi. Reservaateissa syntyy eloonjäämistaistelu. Tilannetta seurataan silmälääkärin vaimon kautta, joka on näkevänä seurannut sokeutunutta miestään eristykseen. Pariskunnan ympärille muodostuu pieni ystävien piiri, joka yrittää säilytttää ihmisyytensä kaaoksen keskellä. Vaimo on ainoa joka näkee reservationatin alennustilan. Ennen pitkää hän alkaa toivoa olevansa itsekin sokea, much halu auttaa lot of pitää hänet vahvana.

Lukija on samassa asemassa kuin ainoa näkevä, todistamassa tapahtumia joihin ei voi vaikuttaa. Pessimistisestä pohjasävystään huolimatta tarina ei lietso toivottomuutta: ystävyys, solidaarisuus ja epäitsekkyys synnyttävät pieniä onnenhetkiä.

“Kertomus sokeudesta vakuutti minut lopullisesti Saramagon neroudesta. Jos ylipäätään lukee kirjoja, on rikos jättää tämä kirja lukematta. yhtä fyysistä, pelottavaa ja paikka paikoin kuvottavaa teosta en muista.”
– Juha Itkonen, Image 2007/8

Kaupungissa riehuu outo epidemic. Ihmiset alkavat nähdä pelkkää valkoista. Jotta sarauden leviäminen voitaisiin estää, sokeille perustetaan reservaatteja. Näkevien pelko sokeutumisesta ajaa inhimillisyyden ohi. Reservaateissa syntyy eloonjäämistaistelu. Tilannetta seurataan silmälääkärin vaimon kautta, joka on näkevänä seurannut sokeutunutta miestään eristykseen. Pariskunnan ympärille muodostuu pieni ystävien piiri, joka yrittää säilytttää ihmisyytensä kaaoksen keskellä. Vaimo on ainoa joka näkee reservationatin alennustilan. Ennen pitkää hän alkaa toivoa olevansa itsekin sokea, much halu auttaa lot of pitää hänet vahvana.

Lukija on samassa asemassa kuin ainoa näkevä, todistamassa tapahtumia joihin ei voi vaikuttaa. Pessimistisestä pohjasävystään huolimatta tarina ei lietso toivottomuutta: ystävyys, solidaarisuus ja epäitsekkyys synnyttävät pieniä onnenhetkiä.

Un homme devient soudainement aveugle. This is the début of an epidemic that spreads to a fulgurant speed across all pays. Mis en quarantaine, privés de tout repère, les hordes d'aveugles tentent de survivre à n'importe quel prix. Seule une femme n'a pas été frappée par la « blancheur lumineuse ». Saura-t-elle les guider hors de ces ténèbres désertées par l'humanité ?

Un homme devient soudainement aveugle. This is the début of an epidemic that spreads to a fulgurant speed across all pays. Mis en quarantaine, privés de tout repère, les hordes d'aveugles tentent de survivre à n'importe quel prix. Seule une femme n'a pas été frappée par la « blancheur lumineuse ». Saura-t-elle les guider hors de ces ténèbres désertées par l'humanité ?

Un homme devient soudainement aveugle. This is the début of an epidemic that spreads to a fulgurant speed across all pays. Mis en quarantaine, privés de tout repère, les hordes d'aveugles tentent de survivre à n'importe quel prix. Seule une femme n'a pas été frappée par la « blancheur lumineuse ». Saura-t-elle les guider hors de ces ténèbres désertées par l'humanité ?

Ένας άνθρωπος χάνει ξαφνικά το φως του. Τα περιστατικά αιφνίδιας τύφλωσης κλιμακώνονται και η κυβέρνηση αποφασίζει να βάλει σε καραντίνα τους τυφλούς. Με γραφειοκρατική ακρίβεια, ο Zοζέ Σαραμάγκου έχει υπολογίσει όλα όσα θα μπορούσαν να συμβούν σ’ έναν κόσμο που χάνει την όρασή του. Για πόσο καιρό η κίνηση στους δρόμους θα είναι ομαλή; Για πόσο καιρό θα επαρκούν τα τρόφιμα για τις πεινασμένες ορδές; Πόσος χρόνος χρειάζεται για να καταρρεύσει η παροχή ηλεκτρικού ρεύματος, αερίου και νερού; Τι θ’ απογίνουν τα κατοικίδια; Oι σεξουαλικοί φραγμοί; Πόσοι τυφλοί φτιάχνουν μια τυφλότητα;Kαι τέλος: Σε έναν κόσμο τυφλών, τι θα έκανες αν έβλεπες;

Ένας άνθρωπος χάνει ξαφνικά το φως του. Τα περιστατικά αιφνίδιας τύφλωσης κλιμακώνονται και η κυβέρνηση αποφασίζει να βάλει σε καραντίνα τους τυφλούς. Με γραφειοκρατική ακρίβεια, ο Zοζέ Σαραμάγκου έχει υπολογίσει όλα όσα θα μπορούσαν να συμβούν σ’ έναν κόσμο που χάνει την όρασή του. Για πόσο καιρό η κίνηση στους δρόμους θα είναι ομαλή; Για πόσο καιρό θα επαρκούν τα τρόφιμα για τις πεινασμένες ορδές; Πόσος χρόνος χρειάζεται για να καταρρεύσει η παροχή ηλεκτρικού ρεύματος, αερίου και νερού; Τι θ’ απογίνουν τα κατοικίδια; Oι σεξουαλικοί φραγμοί; Πόσοι τυφλοί φτιάχνουν μια τυφλότητα;Kαι τέλος: Σε έναν κόσμο τυφλών, τι θα έκανες αν έβλεπες;

Ένας άνθρωπος χάνει ξαφνικά το φως του. Τα περιστατικά αιφνίδιας τύφλωσης κλιμακώνονται και η κυβέρνηση αποφασίζει να βάλει σε καραντίνα τους τυφλούς. Με γραφειοκρατική ακρίβεια, ο Zοζέ Σαραμάγκου έχει υπολογίσει όλα όσα θα μπορούσαν να συμβούν σ’ έναν κόσμο που χάνει την όρασή του. Για πόσο καιρό η κίνηση στους δρόμους θα είναι ομαλή; Για πόσο καιρό θα επαρκούν τα τρόφιμα για τις πεινασμένες ορδές; Πόσος χρόνος χρειάζεται για να καταρρεύσει η παροχή ηλεκτρικού ρεύματος, αερίου και νερού; Τι θ’ απογίνουν τα κατοικίδια; Oι σεξουαλικοί φραγμοί; Πόσοι τυφλοί φτιάχνουν μια τυφλότητα;Kαι τέλος: Σε έναν κόσμο τυφλών, τι θα έκανες αν έβλεπες;

Ένας άνθρωπος χάνει ξαφνικά το φως του. Τα περιστατικά αιφνίδιας τύφλωσης κλιμακώνονται και η κυβέρνηση αποφασίζει να βάλει σε καραντίνα τους τυφλούς. Με γραφειοκρατική ακρίβεια, ο Zοζέ Σαραμάγκου έχει υπολογίσει όλα όσα θα μπορούσαν να συμβούν σ’ έναν κόσμο που χάνει την όρασή του. Για πόσο καιρό η κίνηση στους δρόμους θα είναι ομαλή; Για πόσο καιρό θα επαρκούν τα τρόφιμα για τις πεινασμένες ορδές; Πόσος χρόνος χρειάζεται για να καταρρεύσει η παροχή ηλεκτρικού ρεύματος, αερίου και νερού; Τι θ’ απογίνουν τα κατοικίδια; Oι σεξουαλικοί φραγμοί; Πόσοι τυφλοί φτιάχνουν μια τυφλότητα;Kαι τέλος: Σε έναν κόσμο τυφλών, τι θα έκανες αν έβλεπες;

Een rij auto’s staat te wachten voor een rood stoplicht. Als het licht eindelijkop groen springt, trekt de eerste auto niet op, tot groeiend ongenoegen vande automobilisten erachter. Als ze het portier opentrekken, treffen ze eenwanhopige bestuurder aan, die alleen maar kan uitbrengen dat hij van hetene op het andere moment blind is geworden.

Deze openingsscène is de katalysator van een reeks verbijsterendegebeurtenissen, die algauw apocalyptische vormen aanneemt. Deblindheid blijkt besmettelijk: al snel ziet een groot gedeelte van de bevolkingvan Lissabon niets meer. Alle slachtoffers worden in een ziekenhuisgeïsoleerd. Binnen korte tijd spelen zich daar verschrikkelijke taferelen af,die de vraag naar goed en kwaad haast ondraaglijk actueel maken.

Een rij auto’s staat te wachten voor een rood stoplicht. Als het licht eindelijkop groen springt, trekt de eerste auto niet op, tot groeiend ongenoegen vande automobilisten erachter. Als ze het portier opentrekken, treffen ze eenwanhopige bestuurder aan, die alleen maar kan uitbrengen dat hij van hetene op het andere moment blind is geworden.

Deze openingsscène is de katalysator van een reeks verbijsterendegebeurtenissen, die algauw apocalyptische vormen aanneemt. Deblindheid blijkt besmettelijk: al snel ziet een groot gedeelte van de bevolkingvan Lissabon niets meer. Alle slachtoffers worden in een ziekenhuisgeïsoleerd. Binnen korte tijd spelen zich daar verschrikkelijke taferelen af,die de vraag naar goed en kwaad haast ondraaglijk actueel maken.

Een rij auto’s staat te wachten voor een rood stoplicht. Als het licht eindelijkop groen springt, trekt de eerste auto niet op, tot groeiend ongenoegen vande automobilisten erachter. Als ze het portier opentrekken, treffen ze eenwanhopige bestuurder aan, die alleen maar kan uitbrengen dat hij van hetene op het andere moment blind is geworden.

Deze openingsscène is de katalysator van een reeks verbijsterendegebeurtenissen, die algauw apocalyptische vormen aanneemt. Deblindheid blijkt besmettelijk: al snel ziet een groot gedeelte van de bevolkingvan Lissabon niets meer. Alle slachtoffers worden in een ziekenhuisgeïsoleerd. Binnen korte tijd spelen zich daar verschrikkelijke taferelen af,die de vraag naar goed en kwaad haast ondraaglijk actueel maken.

Een rij auto’s staat te wachten voor een rood stoplicht. Als het licht eindelijkop groen springt, trekt de eerste auto niet op, tot groeiend ongenoegen vande automobilisten erachter. Als ze het portier opentrekken, treffen ze eenwanhopige bestuurder aan, die alleen maar kan uitbrengen dat hij van hetene op het andere moment blind is geworden.

Deze openingsscène is de katalysator van een reeks verbijsterendegebeurtenissen, die algauw apocalyptische vormen aanneemt. Deblindheid blijkt besmettelijk: al snel ziet een groot gedeelte van de bevolkingvan Lissabon niets meer. Alle slachtoffers worden in een ziekenhuisgeïsoleerd. Binnen korte tijd spelen zich daar verschrikkelijke taferelen af,die de vraag naar goed en kwaad haast ondraaglijk actueel maken.

Een rij auto’s staat te wachten voor een rood stoplicht. Als het licht eindelijkop groen springt, trekt de eerste auto niet op, tot groeiend ongenoegen vande automobilisten erachter. Als ze het portier opentrekken, treffen ze eenwanhopige bestuurder aan, die alleen maar kan uitbrengen dat hij van hetene op het andere moment blind is geworden.

Deze openingsscène is de katalysator van een reeks verbijsterendegebeurtenissen, die algauw apocalyptische vormen aanneemt. Deblindheid blijkt besmettelijk: al snel ziet een groot gedeelte van de bevolkingvan Lissabon niets meer. Alle slachtoffers worden in een ziekenhuisgeïsoleerd. Binnen korte tijd spelen zich daar verschrikkelijke taferelen af,die de vraag naar goed en kwaad haast ondraaglijk actueel maken.

Een rij auto’s staat te wachten voor een rood stoplicht. Als het licht eindelijkop groen springt, trekt de eerste auto niet op, tot groeiend ongenoegen vande automobilisten erachter. Als ze het portier opentrekken, treffen ze eenwanhopige bestuurder aan, die alleen maar kan uitbrengen dat hij van hetene op het andere moment blind is geworden.

Deze openingsscène is de katalysator van een reeks verbijsterendegebeurtenissen, die algauw apocalyptische vormen aanneemt. Deblindheid blijkt besmettelijk: al snel ziet een groot gedeelte van de bevolkingvan Lissabon niets meer. Alle slachtoffers worden in een ziekenhuisgeïsoleerd. Binnen korte tijd spelen zich daar verschrikkelijke taferelen af,die de vraag naar goed en kwaad haast ondraaglijk actueel maken.

Een rij auto’s staat te wachten voor een rood stoplicht. Als het licht eindelijkop groen springt, trekt de eerste auto niet op, tot groeiend ongenoegen vande automobilisten erachter. Als ze het portier opentrekken, treffen ze eenwanhopige bestuurder aan, die alleen maar kan uitbrengen dat hij van hetene op het andere moment blind is geworden.

Deze openingsscène is de katalysator van een reeks verbijsterendegebeurtenissen, die algauw apocalyptische vormen aanneemt. Deblindheid blijkt besmettelijk: al snel ziet een groot gedeelte van de bevolkingvan Lissabon niets meer. Alle slachtoffers worden in een ziekenhuisgeïsoleerd. Binnen korte tijd spelen zich daar verschrikkelijke taferelen af,die de vraag naar goed en kwaad haast ondraaglijk actueel maken.

Een rij auto’s staat te wachten voor een rood stoplicht. Als het licht eindelijkop groen springt, trekt de eerste auto niet op, tot groeiend ongenoegen vande automobilisten erachter. Als ze het portier opentrekken, treffen ze eenwanhopige bestuurder aan, die alleen maar kan uitbrengen dat hij van hetene op het andere moment blind is geworden.

Deze openingsscène is de katalysator van een reeks verbijsterendegebeurtenissen, die algauw apocalyptische vormen aanneemt. Deblindheid blijkt besmettelijk: al snel ziet een groot gedeelte van de bevolkingvan Lissabon niets meer. Alle slachtoffers worden in een ziekenhuisgeïsoleerd. Binnen korte tijd spelen zich daar verschrikkelijke taferelen af,die de vraag naar goed en kwaad haast ondraaglijk actueel maken.

Een rij auto’s staat te wachten voor een rood stoplicht. Als het licht eindelijkop groen springt, trekt de eerste auto niet op, tot groeiend ongenoegen vande automobilisten erachter. Als ze het portier opentrekken, treffen ze eenwanhopige bestuurder aan, die alleen maar kan uitbrengen dat hij van hetene op het andere moment blind is geworden.

Deze openingsscène is de katalysator van een reeks verbijsterendegebeurtenissen, die algauw apocalyptische vormen aanneemt. Deblindheid blijkt besmettelijk: al snel ziet een groot gedeelte van de bevolkingvan Lissabon niets meer. Alle slachtoffers worden in een ziekenhuisgeïsoleerd. Binnen korte tijd spelen zich daar verschrikkelijke taferelen af,die de vraag naar goed en kwaad haast ondraaglijk actueel maken.

Een rij auto’s staat te wachten voor een rood stoplicht. Als het licht eindelijkop groen springt, trekt de eerste auto niet op, tot groeiend ongenoegen vande automobilisten erachter. Als ze het portier opentrekken, treffen ze eenwanhopige bestuurder aan, die alleen maar kan uitbrengen dat hij van hetene op het andere moment blind is geworden.

Deze openingsscène is de katalysator van een reeks verbijsterendegebeurtenissen, die algauw apocalyptische vormen aanneemt. Deblindheid blijkt besmettelijk: al snel ziet een groot gedeelte van de bevolkingvan Lissabon niets meer. Alle slachtoffers worden in een ziekenhuisgeïsoleerd. Binnen korte tijd spelen zich daar verschrikkelijke taferelen af,die de vraag naar goed en kwaad haast ondraaglijk actueel maken.

Stichting Uitgeverij XL

1999 (Trad.: Harrie Lemmens)

Különös kór terjed a városban: elõször egy autóját vezetõ férfi veszti el látását, majd sorban mindenki, aki csak kapcsolatba kerül vele; az autótolvaj, aki hazaviszi, a szemorvos, aki megvizsgálja, a prostituált, aki véletlenül mellette ül a rendelõben… Az elharapódzó járványt, úgy látszik, nem lehet megállítani, hiába zárják szigorú katonai õrizet mellett egy ódon elmegyógyintézetbe az elsõ vakokat, a rejtélyes „fehér kór” tovább szedi áldozatait.A vesztegzár embertelen körülményei közé kényszerített férfiak és nõk saját vakságuknak, az ismeretlen környezetnek, a hatóságok kapkodásának, de még inkább az egyre jobban elszabaduló indulatoknak, az éhségnek, a mocsoknak és a szexuális megaláztatásnak kiszolgáltatva lassan kivetkõznek emberi mivoltukból…Az 1995-ben megjelent Vakság José Saramago egyik legmegrázóbb regénye: varázslatos erejû vízió arról, milyen mélyre süllyedhet az ember, ha egyszer csak szétfoszlik körülötte a civilizáció, s nyers ösztönök veszik át az uralmat az életben.Saramago 1998-ban, hetvenhat évesen életmûvéért – s jelentõs részben az egész világon óriási sikert arató Vakság-nak köszönhetõen – elnyerte a Nobel-díjat. Azóta is töretlen alkotókedvvel dolgozik, aminek bizonysága, hogy szinte évente jelentkezik új regénnyel (2004-ben jelentette meg a Vakság folytatását Megvilágosodás címmel), s minden könyve újabb meglepetés: újabb meghökkentõ, bizarr ötlet, valamilyen szélsõséges léthelyzet szuggesztív ábrázolása, s ugyanakkor: valami örök, eredendõ vakság lenyomata – avagy a látásért való állandó küszködésé.

Különös kór terjed a városban: elõször egy autóját vezetõ férfi veszti el látását, majd sorban mindenki, aki csak kapcsolatba kerül vele; az autótolvaj, aki hazaviszi, a szemorvos, aki megvizsgálja, a prostituált, aki véletlenül mellette ül a rendelõben… Az elharapódzó járványt, úgy látszik, nem lehet megállítani, hiába zárják szigorú katonai õrizet mellett egy ódon elmegyógyintézetbe az elsõ vakokat, a rejtélyes „fehér kór” tovább szedi áldozatait.A vesztegzár embertelen körülményei közé kényszerített férfiak és nõk saját vakságuknak, az ismeretlen környezetnek, a hatóságok kapkodásának, de még inkább az egyre jobban elszabaduló indulatoknak, az éhségnek, a mocsoknak és a szexuális megaláztatásnak kiszolgáltatva lassan kivetkõznek emberi mivoltukból…Az 1995-ben megjelent Vakság José Saramago egyik legmegrázóbb regénye: varázslatos erejû vízió arról, milyen mélyre süllyedhet az ember, ha egyszer csak szétfoszlik körülötte a civilizáció, s nyers ösztönök veszik át az uralmat az életben.Saramago 1998-ban, hetvenhat évesen életmûvéért – s jelentõs részben az egész világon óriási sikert arató Vakság-nak köszönhetõen – elnyerte a Nobel-díjat. Azóta is töretlen alkotókedvvel dolgozik, aminek bizonysága, hogy szinte évente jelentkezik új regénnyel (2004-ben jelentette meg a Vakság folytatását Megvilágosodás címmel), s minden könyve újabb meglepetés: újabb meghökkentõ, bizarr ötlet, valamilyen szélsõséges léthelyzet szuggesztív ábrázolása, s ugyanakkor: valami örök, eredendõ vakság lenyomata – avagy a látásért való állandó küszködésé.

D. C. Books

2000 (Trad. Vaikom Murali)

Saket Prakashan

2009 (Trad.: Bhaskar Laxman Bholay)

isbn: 964-405-069-X

Vaka-Helgafell

2000 (Trad.: Sigrún Ástríour Eiríksdóttir)

(מרים טבעון)]שהתעוור פתאום: הוא רואה הכל לבן, כאילו נפל לתוך ים של חלב. מישהו מתנדב להסיעו הביתה וכששבה אשתו היא ממהרת לקחת אותו לרופא-עיניים. אך בזה אחר זה נדבקים בחושך הלבן כל האנשים שנפגשו עם העיוור הראשון, ומדביקים אנשים אחרים. המגפה הלבנה מתפשטת. כל מי שעיוור נעץ בו את “מבטו” הופך לנשא, שמתעוור עד מהרה. השלטונות כולאים את העיוורים והנשאים באגפים נפרדים של בית-משוגעים ישן, מבודדים לחלוטין. רק אדם אחד רואה שם – מחוסן באופן מוזר מפני המחלה: אשתו של רופא-העיניים, שהעמידה פנים שהיא עיוורת, כדי שתוכל להצטרף אל בעלה. כשגם החיילים השומרים על בית-המשוגעים מתעוורים, פורצת החוצה קבוצה של שישה עיוורים, כמו בציורו המפורסם של ברויגל. מוליכה אותם הפיקחת היחידה, אשת הרופא. ‘על העיוורון’ הוא העלילתי והמותח בספריו של סאראמאגו, חתן פרס נובל לספרות וגדול סופרי אירופה היום. ההומור המפורסם של סאראמאגו, והחריפות השנונה, אינם נוטשים אותו כאן, בלב הזוועה והאכזריות, והם הופכים להומור שחור, ושמא לבן. זהו ספר על האחווה האנושית, שיש ללמוד אותה בזהירות מחדש, בהדרכת אשה אחת שרואה, כי אולי האנושיות תלויה לא רק במבט, אלא גם במבט נשי. אם יש ספרים שהקורא יוצא מהם אדם אחר ממה שהיה בתחילת הקריאה – ‘על העיוורון’ הוא אחד מהם. הספר אינו משל או אליגוריה, אבל הוא עשוי להאיר מצבי חיים רבים כל-כך. כי אולי אנחנו עיוורים שרואים, עיוורים שגם כשהם רואים הם לא רואים, כי שכחו לראות, להתבונן.

In un tempo e un luogo non precisati, all’improvviso l’intera popolazione diventa cieca per un’inspiegabile epidemia. Chi è colpito da questo male si trova come avvolto in una nube lattiginosa e non ci vede più. Le reazioni psicologiche degli anonimi protagonisti sono devastanti, con un’esplosione di terrore e violenza, e gli effetti di questa misteriosa patologia sulla convivenza sociale risulteranno drammatici. I primi colpiti dal male vengono infatti rinchiusi in un ex manicomio per la paura del contagio e l’insensibilità altrui, e qui si manifesta tutto l’orrore di cui l’uomo sa essere capace. Nel suo racconto fantastico, Saramago disegna la grande metafora di un’umanità bestiale e feroce, incapace di vedere e distinguere le cose su una base di razionalità, artefice di abbrutimento, violenza, degradazione. Ne deriva un romanzo di valenza universale sull’indifferenza e l’egoismo, sul potere e la sopraffazione, sulla guerra di tutti contro tutti, una dura denuncia del buio della ragione, con un catartico spiraglio di luce e salvezza.

In un tempo e un luogo non precisati, all’improvviso l’intera popolazione perde la vista per un’inspiegabile epidemia. Chi è colpito dal male è come avvolto in una nube lattiginosa… Un romanzo fantastico giocato sulla metafora della cecità dove gli istinti bestiali, la ferocia irrazionale, la sopraffazione gratuita si rivelano i tratti tipici della natura umana.

«Saramago guarda, osserva, descrive, narra senza bisogno, mai, di cadere nel particolare. I soli particolari che indaga e porta alla luce sono quelli dell’anima».«L’Indice»In una città qualunque, di un paese qualunque, un guidatore sta fermo al semaforo in attesa del verde quando si accorge di perdere la vista. All’inizio pensa si tratti di un disturbo passeggero, ma non è così. Gli viene diagnosticata una cecità dovuta a una malattia sconosciuta: un «mal bianco» che avvolge la sua vittima in un candore luminoso, simile a un mare di latte. Non si tratta di un caso isolato: è l’inizio di un’epidemia che colpisce progressivamente tutta la città, e l’intero paese. I ciechi, rinchiusi in un ex manicomio e costretti a vivere nel più totale abbruttimento da chi non è stato ancora contagiato, «scoprono – come ha scritto Cesare Segre – su se stessi e in se stessi, la repressione sanguinosa e l’ipocrisia del potere, la sopraffazione, il ricatto, e peggio di tutto, l’indifferenza». Saramago denuncia con intensità di immagini e durezza di accenti la notte dell’etica in cui siamo sprofondati. E, paradossalmente, è proprio il mondo delle ombre a rivelare molte cose sul mondo che credevamo di vedere.

NHK

2008 (edição de bolso)

NHK

2001

Romano veiksmas plėtojamas neįvardytoje vietovėje, mieste, tikriausiai Lisabonoje. Miestą apninka aklumo epidemija – žmonės apanka staiga, liga plinta žaibiškai, neaplenkdama nė vieno, sukeldama šoką bei visuotinę paniką. Visoje šalyje steigiamos prieglaudos tokiems nelaimėliams, bet skaitytojai stebi vieną apytuštę ligoninę, kuri per keletą dienų pripildoma aklųjų. Netrukus šioje mažytėje bendruomenėje susiformuoja struktūra, kurią sudaro budeliai ir aukos. Groteskiškas bejėgių lyg vaikai ir išmestų iš įprasto gyvenimo žmonių vaizdavimas tampa pažeminimo istorija. Paminama visa, kas žmogiška, visos įprastos visuomenės gyvenimo normos ir ribos, tarsi apakęs pasaulis būtų netekęs pamatų, suformuotų religijos, tradicijų ir kultūros. Aklumas – ne tik fizinė negalia, bet ir įspūdinga žmogiškumo degradavimo metafora. Paprasčiau nieko nematyti, kad nebūtų dėl ko jaudintis? Lengviau gyventi nematant to, ko nesinori matyti? Ar tokiame pasaulyje pavyks išsaugoti žmogiškumo likučius? Kokios yra pažeminimo ribos? Atsakymų į šiuos ir daugelį kitų klausimų ieškoma romane „Aklumas“.

Un hombre parado ante un semáforo en rojo se queda ciego súbitamente. Es el primer caso de una ceguera que se expande de manera fulminante. Internados en cuarentena o perdidos en la ciudad, los ciegos tendrán que enfrentarse con la voluntad de sobrevivir a cualquier precio.

U neimenovanom gradu, na raskrsnici, automobil i dalje stoji iako se upalilo zeleno svjetlo. Uznemireni vozač je iznenada izgubio vid. Njegovo sljepilo je bijelo, kao da je uronio u mlijeko ili u gustu, neprozirnu maglu. Ubrzo i mnogi drugi stanovnici bivaju zahvaćeni neobičnim bijelim sljepilom. U pitanju je epidemija. Vlasti slijepe smiještaju u poseban azil koji postaje poprište okrutne i bespoštedne borbe, u duhu najmračnijih Hobsovih ili Makjavelijevih spekulacija o ljudskoj prirodi. U ovom uzbudljivom romanu Saramago nam nudi i briljantnu antropološku studiju na tragu Kamija i Kafke. „Paradoksalno, sljepilo u Saramagovom romanu je alegorija nesposobnosti da se vidi. Šta tačno treba da vidimo, šta Saramago, kao čovjek i pisac koji je prošao kroz diktaturu i revoluciju, strahuje da zapravo gledamo a ne vidimo – nalazi se na svakoj stranici ove knjige i ne može se prepričati“, zapisao je Endrju Miler o ovom kultnom djelu portugalskog nobelovca.

En bilist stanser ved rødt lys. Da lyset skifter, rikker han seg ikke. Han er blitt blind. Rammet av et hvitt lys. Det første tilfellet av en ubegripelig epidemi som snart fører til kaos, redsel og uoverveid brutalitet.

Nobelprisvinneren Josè Saramago “skrev denne boken for å minne leserne om at vi forvrenger fornuften når vi ydmyker livet, at menneskets verdighet hver eneste dag fornærmes av verdens mektige, at den universelle løgnen har erstattet de pluralistiske sannheter, at mennesket sluttet å respektere seg selv da det mistet respekten for sine medskapninger”.

Fra prismottakerens nobelforedrag i Stockholm, desember 1998

En bilist stanser ved rødt lys. Da lyset skifter, rikker han seg ikke. Han er blitt blind. Rammet av et hvitt lys. Det første tilfellet av en ubegripelig epidemi som snart fører til kaos, redsel og uoverveid brutalitet.

Nobelprisvinneren Josè Saramago “skrev denne boken for å minne leserne om at vi forvrenger fornuften når vi ydmyker livet, at menneskets verdighet hver eneste dag fornærmes av verdens mektige, at den universelle løgnen har erstattet de pluralistiske sannheter, at mennesket sluttet å respektere seg selv da det mistet respekten for sine medskapninger”.

Fra prismottakerens nobelforedrag i Stockholm, desember 1998

En bilist stanser ved rødt lys. Da lyset skifter, rikker han seg ikke. Han er blitt blind. Rammet av et hvitt lys. Det første tilfellet av en ubegripelig epidemi som snart fører til kaos, redsel og uoverveid brutalitet.

Nobelprisvinneren Josè Saramago “skrev denne boken for å minne leserne om at vi forvrenger fornuften når vi ydmyker livet, at menneskets verdighet hver eneste dag fornærmes av verdens mektige, at den universelle løgnen har erstattet de pluralistiske sannheter, at mennesket sluttet å respektere seg selv da det mistet respekten for sine medskapninger”.

Fra prismottakerens nobelforedrag i Stockholm, desember 1998

Bestsellerowa powieść zekranizowana przez Fernando Meirellesa z Julianne Moore w roli głównej

Jose Saramago, laureat literackiej Nagrody Nobla z 1998 r. i najpopularniejszy na świecie prozaik portugalski, sławę zdobył dopiero w sześćdziesiątym roku życia swoją trzecią powieścią Baltazar i Blimunda, nagrodzoną prestiżową nagrodą portugalskiego PEN Clubu oraz Nagrodą Literacką Miasta Lizbona.

Nakładem Domu Wydawniczego REBIS ukazały się dotychczas: Baltazar i Blimunda, Wszystkie imiona, Rok śmierci Ricarda Reisa, Kamienna tratwa oraz Historia oblężenia Lizbony.

Pewnego dnia na nienazwane miasto w nienazwanym kraju spada epidemia białej ślepoty. Bez ostrzeżenia dotyka ludzi zajętych zwykłymi, codziennymi sprawami, nie oszczędzając nikogo – starców, dzieci, kobiet, mężczyzn, osób prawych i z prawością mających niewiele wspólnego, słabych i silnych.

Władze w pośpiechu zamykają pierwszą grupę w nieczynnym szpitalu psychiatrycznym. Z dnia na dzień ta zamknięta społeczność zaczyna się rządzić własnymi, twardymi prawami, które szybko wyznaczają role ofiar i oprawców, poddanych i panów. I tylko jedna osoba wie, że nie wszyscy są ślepi.

Ta powieść jest wstrząsającym i głęboko przenikającym czytelnika studium kondycji ludzkiej.

Fernando Meirelles przemienia powieść Jos é Saramago w trzymający w napięciu thriller, który nie tylko powoduje dreszcze, ale skłania nas do myślenia.

“Variety”

Ekranizacja powieści otworzyła Festiwal Filmowy w Cannes w 2008 roku. W rolach głównych reżyser Wiernego ogrodnika obsadził plejadę gwiazd, m.in. Julianne Moore i Gaela Garcię Bernala.

Świat Książki

2000 (Trad.: Zofia Stanisławska)

«Akcja Miasta ślepców rozgrywa się w bliżej nieokreślonym mieście. Niespodziewanie wybucha tam epidemia ślepoty. Już samo zestawienie obu słów wydaje się być paradoksem. Kolejni mieszkańcy nagle tracą wzrok, pogrążając się w mlecznej otchłani. W całym kraju powstają miejsca zesłania ociemniałych nieszczęśników, ale my obserwujemy tylco jeden opustoszały szpital, który w ciągu kilku dni zapełnia się dwustoma ślepcami. Wkrótce szpitalną społecznością zaczynają rządzić mechanizmy odtwarzające prastare, odwieczne schematy: walka o przetrwanie, walka o władzę, podział ról na oprawców i ofiary. Groteskowy obraz wytrąconych z normalnego życia ludzi staje się historią upokorzenia. Przekroczone są wszelkie granice upodlenia, jakby ociemniały świat pozbył się nagle hamulców ukształtowanych przez tradycję, wiarę, kulturę.»

«Akcja Miasta ślepców rozgrywa się w bliżej nieokreślonym mieście. Niespodziewanie wybucha tam epidemia ślepoty. Już samo zestawienie obu słów wydaje się być paradoksem. Kolejni mieszkańcy nagle tracą wzrok, pogrążając się w mlecznej otchłani. W całym kraju powstają miejsca zesłania ociemniałych nieszczęśników, ale my obserwujemy tylco jeden opustoszały szpital, który w ciągu kilku dni zapełnia się dwustoma ślepcami. Wkrótce szpitalną społecznością zaczynają rządzić mechanizmy odtwarzające prastare, odwieczne schematy: walka o przetrwanie, walka o władzę, podział ról na oprawców i ofiary. Groteskowy obraz wytrąconych z normalnego życia ludzi staje się historią upokorzenia. Przekroczone są wszelkie granice upodlenia, jakby ociemniały świat pozbył się nagle hamulców ukształtowanych przez tradycję, wiarę, kulturę.»

A driver waiting at the traffic lights goes blind. An opthamologist tries to diagnose his distinctive white blindness, but is affected before he can read the textbooks. It becomes a contagion, spreading throughout the city. Trying to stem the epidemic, the authorities herd the afflicted into a mental asylum where the wards are terrorised by blind thugs. And when fire destroys the asylum, the inmates burst forth and the last links with a supposedly civilised society are snapped.

No food, no water, no government, no obligation, no order. This is not anarchy, this is blindness.

Extraordinary Observer

He writes a prose of particularly luminous intensity, brilliantly rendered into English by his regular translator Giovanni Pontiero…Sweepingly ambitious

The Times

Saramago repeatedly undertakes to unite the pressing demands of the present with an unfolding vision of the future. This is his most apocalyptic, and most optimistic, version of that project yet.

Independent

Saramago’s exuberant imagination, capriciousness and clear-sightedness find full expression in this engaging work Nobel Prize Swedish Academy

This is a shattering work by a literary master…a book of real stature

Boston Globe

A driver waiting at the traffic lights goes blind. An opthamologist tries to diagnose his distinctive white blindness, but is affected before he can read the textbooks. It becomes a contagion, spreading throughout the city. Trying to stem the epidemic, the authorities herd the afflicted into a mental asylum where the wards are terrorised by blind thugs. And when fire destroys the asylum, the inmates burst forth and the last links with a supposedly civilised society are snapped.

No food, no water, no government, no obligation, no order. This is not anarchy, this is blindness.

Extraordinary Observer

He writes a prose of particularly luminous intensity, brilliantly rendered into English by his regular translator Giovanni Pontiero…Sweepingly ambitious

The Times

Saramago repeatedly undertakes to unite the pressing demands of the present with an unfolding vision of the future. This is his most apocalyptic, and most optimistic, version of that project yet.

Independent

Saramago’s exuberant imagination, capriciousness and clear-sightedness find full expression in this engaging work Nobel Prize Swedish Academy

This is a shattering work by a literary master…a book of real stature

Boston Globe

A driver waiting at the traffic lights goes blind. An opthamologist tries to diagnose his distinctive white blindness, but is affected before he can read the textbooks. It becomes a contagion, spreading throughout the city. Trying to stem the epidemic, the authorities herd the afflicted into a mental asylum where the wards are terrorised by blind thugs. And when fire destroys the asylum, the inmates burst forth and the last links with a supposedly civilised society are snapped.

No food, no water, no government, no obligation, no order. This is not anarchy, this is blindness.

Extraordinary Observer

He writes a prose of particularly luminous intensity, brilliantly rendered into English by his regular translator Giovanni Pontiero…Sweepingly ambitious

The Times

Saramago repeatedly undertakes to unite the pressing demands of the present with an unfolding vision of the future. This is his most apocalyptic, and most optimistic, version of that project yet.

Independent

Saramago’s exuberant imagination, capriciousness and clear-sightedness find full expression in this engaging work Nobel Prize Swedish Academy

This is a shattering work by a literary master…a book of real stature

Boston Globe

A driver waiting at the traffic lights goes blind. An opthamologist tries to diagnose his distinctive white blindness, but is affected before he can read the textbooks. It becomes a contagion, spreading throughout the city. Trying to stem the epidemic, the authorities herd the afflicted into a mental asylum where the wards are terrorised by blind thugs. And when fire destroys the asylum, the inmates burst forth and the last links with a supposedly civilised society are snapped.

No food, no water, no government, no obligation, no order. This is not anarchy, this is blindness.

Extraordinary Observer

He writes a prose of particularly luminous intensity, brilliantly rendered into English by his regular translator Giovanni Pontiero…Sweepingly ambitious

The Times

Saramago repeatedly undertakes to unite the pressing demands of the present with an unfolding vision of the future. This is his most apocalyptic, and most optimistic, version of that project yet.

Independent

Saramago’s exuberant imagination, capriciousness and clear-sightedness find full expression in this engaging work Nobel Prize Swedish Academy

This is a shattering work by a literary master…a book of real stature

Boston Globe

A driver waiting at the traffic lights goes blind. An opthamologist tries to diagnose his distinctive white blindness, but is affected before he can read the textbooks. It becomes a contagion, spreading throughout the city. Trying to stem the epidemic, the authorities herd the afflicted into a mental asylum where the wards are terrorised by blind thugs. And when fire destroys the asylum, the inmates burst forth and the last links with a supposedly civilised society are snapped.

No food, no water, no government, no obligation, no order. This is not anarchy, this is blindness.

Extraordinary Observer

He writes a prose of particularly luminous intensity, brilliantly rendered into English by his regular translator Giovanni Pontiero…Sweepingly ambitious

The Times

Saramago repeatedly undertakes to unite the pressing demands of the present with an unfolding vision of the future. This is his most apocalyptic, and most optimistic, version of that project yet.

Independent

Saramago’s exuberant imagination, capriciousness and clear-sightedness find full expression in this engaging work Nobel Prize Swedish Academy

This is a shattering work by a literary master…a book of real stature

Boston Globe

Plus

2010 (Trad. Lada Weissová)

Eseu despre orbire este un roman cutremurator, o marturie a neincrederii autorului in societatea contemporana, incapabila sa-si gestioneze si sa-si rezolve crizele. Intr-un oras anonim, populat de personaje fara nume, izbucneste o epidemie de orbire. Fara o cauza aparenta, in afara de cea morala, oamenii isi pierd rind pe rind vederea si barbaria se instaleaza. Structurile politice nu pot reactiona decit prin represiune si curind apar lagarele. Din motive necunoscute, o singura persoana scapa de flagel – sotia medicului, cum va fi ea numita de-a lungul romanului, cea care ii va conduce pe oameni spre lumina.

„Eseu despre orbire este o imago mundi: viziunea inspaimintatoare a unei lumi tragice. De asta data, expresia pesimismului unui scriitor al Portugaliei nu se manifesta prin obisnuitul lirism melancolic ce ne caracterizeaza. Va fi cruda, descarnata, nici macar stilul nu-i va imblinzi duritatea. Romanul nu va varsa lacrimi pentru suferintele personajelor inventate, ci va tipa in fata acestei interminabile si absurde dureri a lumii.” (Jose Saramago)

„O carte remarcabila, care nu se sfieste sa priveasca in fata toate ororile secolului XX.” (The Washington Post)

„Eseu despre orbire este un roman revolutionar, asa cum au fost, la vremea lor, Procesul sau Ciuma. Inca o capodopera a lui Saramago.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Publicat in 1995, Eseu despre orbire este cel mai cutremurator roman al lui Jose Saramago, marturie a neincrederii autorului in societatea contemporana, incapabila sa-si gestioneze si sa-si rezolve crizele. Intr-un oras anonim, populat de personaje fara nume, izbucneste o epidemie de orbire. Fara o cauza aparenta, in afara de cea morala, oamenii isi pierd, rind pe rind, vederea si barbaria se instaleaza. Structurile politice nu pot reactiona decit prin represiune si curind apar lagarele. Din motive necunoscute, o singura persoana scapa de flagel. Sotia medicului, cum va fi ea numita de-a lungul romanului, aduna in jurul ei mai multe personaje neajutorate si, prin iubire, devotament si statornicie, le conduce pas cu pas spre lumina, demonstrind din nou ideea draga autorului ca societatea, in ceea ce are ea mai definitoriu – solidaritatea si compasiunea umana – trebuie reconstruita mereu de fiecare dintre noi.

Eseu despre orbire este un roman cutremurator, o marturie a neincrederii autorului in societatea contemporana, incapabila sa-si gestioneze si sa-si rezolve crizele. Intr-un oras anonim, populat de personaje fara nume, izbucneste o epidemie de orbire. Fara o cauza aparenta, in afara de cea morala, oamenii isi pierd rind pe rind vederea si barbaria se instaleaza. Structurile politice nu pot reactiona decit prin represiune si curind apar lagarele. Din motive necunoscute, o singura persoana scapa de flagel – sotia medicului, cum va fi ea numita de-a lungul romanului, cea care ii va conduce pe oameni spre lumina.

„Eseu despre orbire este o imago mundi: viziunea inspaimintatoare a unei lumi tragice. De asta data, expresia pesimismului unui scriitor al Portugaliei nu se manifesta prin obisnuitul lirism melancolic ce ne caracterizeaza. Va fi cruda, descarnata, nici macar stilul nu-i va imblinzi duritatea. Romanul nu va varsa lacrimi pentru suferintele personajelor inventate, ci va tipa in fata acestei interminabile si absurde dureri a lumii.” (Jose Saramago)

„O carte remarcabila, care nu se sfieste sa priveasca in fata toate ororile secolului XX.” (The Washington Post)

„Eseu despre orbire este un roman revolutionar, asa cum au fost, la vremea lor, Procesul sau Ciuma. Inca o capodopera a lui Saramago.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Publicat in 1995, Eseu despre orbire este cel mai cutremurator roman al lui Jose Saramago, marturie a neincrederii autorului in societatea contemporana, incapabila sa-si gestioneze si sa-si rezolve crizele. Intr-un oras anonim, populat de personaje fara nume, izbucneste o epidemie de orbire. Fara o cauza aparenta, in afara de cea morala, oamenii isi pierd, rind pe rind, vederea si barbaria se instaleaza. Structurile politice nu pot reactiona decit prin represiune si curind apar lagarele. Din motive necunoscute, o singura persoana scapa de flagel. Sotia medicului, cum va fi ea numita de-a lungul romanului, aduna in jurul ei mai multe personaje neajutorate si, prin iubire, devotament si statornicie, le conduce pas cu pas spre lumina, demonstrind din nou ideea draga autorului ca societatea, in ceea ce are ea mai definitoriu – solidaritatea si compasiunea umana – trebuie reconstruita mereu de fiecare dintre noi.

Eseu despre orbire este un roman cutremurator, o marturie a neincrederii autorului in societatea contemporana, incapabila sa-si gestioneze si sa-si rezolve crizele. Intr-un oras anonim, populat de personaje fara nume, izbucneste o epidemie de orbire. Fara o cauza aparenta, in afara de cea morala, oamenii isi pierd rind pe rind vederea si barbaria se instaleaza. Structurile politice nu pot reactiona decit prin represiune si curind apar lagarele. Din motive necunoscute, o singura persoana scapa de flagel – sotia medicului, cum va fi ea numita de-a lungul romanului, cea care ii va conduce pe oameni spre lumina.

„Eseu despre orbire este o imago mundi: viziunea inspaimintatoare a unei lumi tragice. De asta data, expresia pesimismului unui scriitor al Portugaliei nu se manifesta prin obisnuitul lirism melancolic ce ne caracterizeaza. Va fi cruda, descarnata, nici macar stilul nu-i va imblinzi duritatea. Romanul nu va varsa lacrimi pentru suferintele personajelor inventate, ci va tipa in fata acestei interminabile si absurde dureri a lumii.” (Jose Saramago)

„O carte remarcabila, care nu se sfieste sa priveasca in fata toate ororile secolului XX.” (The Washington Post)

„Eseu despre orbire este un roman revolutionar, asa cum au fost, la vremea lor, Procesul sau Ciuma. Inca o capodopera a lui Saramago.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Publicat in 1995, Eseu despre orbire este cel mai cutremurator roman al lui Jose Saramago, marturie a neincrederii autorului in societatea contemporana, incapabila sa-si gestioneze si sa-si rezolve crizele. Intr-un oras anonim, populat de personaje fara nume, izbucneste o epidemie de orbire. Fara o cauza aparenta, in afara de cea morala, oamenii isi pierd, rind pe rind, vederea si barbaria se instaleaza. Structurile politice nu pot reactiona decit prin represiune si curind apar lagarele. Din motive necunoscute, o singura persoana scapa de flagel. Sotia medicului, cum va fi ea numita de-a lungul romanului, aduna in jurul ei mai multe personaje neajutorate si, prin iubire, devotament si statornicie, le conduce pas cu pas spre lumina, demonstrind din nou ideea draga autorului ca societatea, in ceea ce are ea mai definitoriu – solidaritatea si compasiunea umana – trebuie reconstruita mereu de fiecare dintre noi.

Жителей безымянного города безымянной страны поражает загадочная эпидемия слепоты. В попытке сдержать ее распространение власти вводят строжайший карантин и принимаются переселять всех заболевших в пустующую загородную больницу под присмотр армии. Главные герои романа — не уберегшийся от болезни врач-окулист и его жена, имитирующая слепоту, чтобы остаться с мужем, — ищут крупицы порядка в мире, который неудержимо скатывается в хаос…

Жозе Сарамаго – крупнейший писатель современной Португалии, лауреат Нобелевской премии по литературе 1998 года. “Слепота” – одна из наиболее известных его книг, своего рода визитная карточка автора наряду с “Евангелием от Иисуса” и “Воспоминаниямио монастыре”. Жителей безымянного города безымянной страны поражает загадочная эпидемия слепоты. В попытке сдержать ее распространение власти вводят строжайший карантин и принимаются переселять всех заболевших в пустующую загородную больницу, под присмотр армии. Главные герои романа – не уберегшийся от болезни врач-окулист и его жена, имитирующая слепоту, чтобы остаться с мужем, – ищут крупицы порядка в мире, который неудержимо скатывается в хаос… В 2008 году в прокат выходит крупнобюджетная экранизация этого романа режиссером Фернанду Мейреллешем (“Город Бога”, “Преданный садовник”), роли исполняют Джулианна Мур и Гаэль Гарсия Берналь. Впервые на русском.

Жозе Сарамаго – крупнейший писатель современной Португалии, лауреат Нобелевской премии по литературе 1998 года. “Слепота” – одна из наиболее известных его книг, своего рода визитная карточка автора наряду с “Евангелием от Иисуса” и “Воспоминаниямио монастыре”. Жителей безымянного города безымянной страны поражает загадочная эпидемия слепоты. В попытке сдержать ее распространение власти вводят строжайший карантин и принимаются переселять всех заболевших в пустующую загородную больницу, под присмотр армии. Главные герои романа – не уберегшийся от болезни врач-окулист и его жена, имитирующая слепоту, чтобы остаться с мужем, – ищут крупицы порядка в мире, который неудержимо скатывается в хаос… В 2008 году в прокат выходит крупнобюджетная экранизация этого романа режиссером Фернанду Мейреллешем (“Город Бога”, “Преданный садовник”), роли исполняют Джулианна Мур и Гаэль Гарсия Берналь. Впервые на русском.

Жозе Сарамаго – крупнейший писатель современной Португалии, лауреат Нобелевской премии по литературе 1998 года. “Слепота” – одна из наиболее известных его книг, своего рода визитная карточка автора наряду с “Евангелием от Иисуса” и “Воспоминаниямио монастыре”. Жителей безымянного города безымянной страны поражает загадочная эпидемия слепоты. В попытке сдержать ее распространение власти вводят строжайший карантин и принимаются переселять всех заболевших в пустующую загородную больницу, под присмотр армии. Главные герои романа – не уберегшийся от болезни врач-окулист и его жена, имитирующая слепоту, чтобы остаться с мужем, – ищут крупицы порядка в мире, который неудержимо скатывается в хаос… В 2008 году в прокат выходит крупнобюджетная экранизация этого романа режиссером Фернанду Мейреллешем (“Город Бога”, “Преданный садовник”), роли исполняют Джулианна Мур и Гаэль Гарсия Берналь. Впервые на русском.Laguna

Zašto smo oslepeli,

Ne znam, možda ćemo jednog dana to otkriti,

Hoćeš da ti kažem šta ja mislim,

Reci,

Mislim da nismo oslepeli, mislim da smo slepci,

Zar slepci koji vide,

Slepci koji znaju da gledaju, ali ne vide.

Saramagov roman-alegorija Slepilo, pisan opet jedinstvenim i svedenim pravopisom, razgolićuje ljudske reakcije u okolnostima iznenadne epidemije slepila. Kako se talas slepila neobjašnjivo širi, društvo se raspada, a pojedinci, u borbi za opstanak, otvoreno ispoljavaju „animalne“ crte svog karaktera.

Iza ove prilično mračne slike ljudske prirode skriva se i Saramagova groteskna karikatura diktatorskih režima, kakav je sredinom prošlog veka zahvatio i Portugaliju, i kakav se povremeno uspostavlja u zemljama širom sveta. Kamijeva Kuga, Velsova novela Zemlja slepih, Kafkin Proces ili Goldingov Gospodar muva, Domanovićev Vođa ili Pekićevo Besnilo – samo su neke od znamenitih umetnički uspelih alegorija kojima se na izuzetan način pridružuje i ovaj Saramagov roman, njegovo najčitanije delo, secirajući psihologiju mase i fenomen vođe na primerima epidemija, ideologija i zaslepljenosti svake vrste.

„Paradoksalno, slepilo u Saramagovom romanu je alegorija o nesposobnosti da se vidi. Šta tačno treba da vidimo, šta Saramago, kao čovek i pisac koji je prošao kroz diktature i revolucije, strahuje da zapravo gledamo a ne vidimo – nalazi se na svakoj stranici ove knjige i ne može se prepričati.“ Endru Miler, The New York Times

U neimenovanom gradu neimenovane države, iznenada oslepi čovek koji u kolima čeka da se promeni svetlo na semaforu. Međutim, umesto da bude u mraku, on sve vidi belo, kao da je “u magli ili je upao u more mleka.” Dobri Samarićanin se nudi da ga odveze kući (a posle toga mu ukrade kola); supruga muža taksijem odvede u obližnju kliniku gde preko reda dospevaju u doktorsku ordinaciju.

U toku jednog dana isto slepilo zahvata i suprugu ovog čoveka, taksistu, doktora i njegove pacijente. Kako se epidemija širi, vlada panično počinje obolele da smešta u napuštenu duševnu bolnicu, gde su pod stražom vojnika, koji imaju naređenje da pucaju u svakoga ko pokuša da pobegne.

Tako portugalski pisac Žoze Saramago započinje fascinantnu priču o ljudskosti, napisanu u malom broju pasusa, bez navodnika i svedenom interpunkcijom.

Lingua Franka (Belgrado)

2009 (Trad: Dejan Tiago Stankovic)

En epidemi av blindhet sätter ett helt land i gungning. I mästerliga romanen Blindheten [1995] undersöker Nobelpristagaren José Saramago hur skört ett samhälles organisation är: en man bländas vid ett trafikljus, och kaos väntar. När civilisationens fernissa spricker är upplösningen total.

Med sällsam språklig kraft bygger José Saramago en romanvärld där den verkliga blir synlig som i en grotesk spegel. »Ni vet inte«, säger kvinnan som ensam har synen i behåll, hustrun till den läkare som upptäcker epidemin, »ni kan inte veta vad det är att ha ögon i en värld av blinda, jag är ingen drottning, nej jag är helt enkelt den som föddes att se fasorna, ni känner dem och jag ser dem…«

I svensk nyreviderad översättning av Hans Berggren.

(em conjunto com All Names)

Nobelpristagarens två viktigaste romaner i en volym

En epidemi av blindhet sätter ett helt land i gungning. En simpel arkivarie på Allmänna civilregistret blir besatt av att rädda en okänd kvinna från glömskan. I två mästerliga romaner – Blindheten   [1995] och Alla namnen [1997] – undersöker Nobelpristagaren José Saramago hur skört ett samhälles organisation är: en man bländas vid ett trafikljus, och kaos väntar; bland detaljerade och minutiöst ordnade registerkort hotar den stora tomheten. När civilisationens fernissa spricker är upplösningen total.

Med sällsam språklig kraft bygger José Saramago romanvärldar där den verkliga blir synlig som i en grotesk spegel. »Ni vet inte«, säger kvinnan som ensam har synen i behåll, hustrun till den läkare som upptäcker epidemin, »ni kan inte veta vad det är att ha ögon i en värld av blinda, jag är ingen drottning, nej jag är helt enkelt den som föddes att se fasorna, ni känner dem och jag ser dem…«

I svensk översättning av Hans Berggren och med ett nyskrivet förord av författaren Magnus Florin.

Vad händer med ett samhälle när en plötslig blindhet utan påvisbara fysiologiska orsaker sprider sig bland befolkningen? Ögonläkaren som undersöker den först drabbade bländas, liksom alla hans patienter i väntrummet. De blinda, som blir allt fler, spärras in på ett sjukhus. Förhållandena förvärras och kampen om maten hårdnar. En person förblir dock seende – läkarens hustru: “Ni vet inte, ni kan inte veta vad det är att ha ögon i en värld av blinda, jag är ingen drottning, nej jag är helt enkelt den som föddes att se fasorna, ni känner dem och jag ser dem …”

Blindheten är en roman om nedstigningen i ett helvete alltför likt vår egen värld. Men José Saramago hyser ändå hopp om att vi en dag ska leva i solidaritet och värdighet, att vi en dag ska se igen …

“Blindheten av Nobelpristagaren José Saramago är minst lika spännande som någon av Stephen Kings bästa undergångsskildringar av USA, men mer sammansatt och stilistiskt fulländad.”

Göteborgs-Posten

“Saramgao har skapat en bild som är så påträngande att den inte har någon utgång.”

Svenska Dagbladet

Vad händer med ett samhälle när en plötslig blindhet utan påvisbara fysiologiska orsaker sprider sig bland befolkningen? Ögonläkaren som undersöker den först drabbade bländas, liksom alla hans patienter i väntrummet. De blinda, som blir allt fler, spärras in på ett sjukhus. Förhållandena förvärras och kampen om maten hårdnar. En person förblir dock seende – läkarens hustru: “Ni vet inte, ni kan inte veta vad det är att ha ögon i en värld av blinda, jag är ingen drottning, nej jag är helt enkelt den som föddes att se fasorna, ni känner dem och jag ser dem …”

Blindheten är en roman om nedstigningen i ett helvete alltför likt vår egen värld. Men José Saramago hyser ändå hopp om att vi en dag ska leva i solidaritet och värdighet, att vi en dag ska se igen …

“Blindheten av Nobelpristagaren José Saramago är minst lika spännande som någon av Stephen Kings bästa undergångsskildringar av USA, men mer sammansatt och stilistiskt fulländad.”

Göteborgs-Posten

“Saramgao har skapat en bild som är så påträngande att den inte har någon utgång.”

Svenska Dagbladet

Vad händer med ett samhälle när en plötslig blindhet utan påvisbara fysiologiska orsaker sprider sig bland befolkningen? Ögonläkaren som undersöker den först drabbade bländas, liksom alla hans patienter i väntrummet. De blinda, som blir allt fler, spärras in på ett sjukhus. Förhållandena förvärras och kampen om maten hårdnar. En person förblir dock seende – läkarens hustru: “Ni vet inte, ni kan inte veta vad det är att ha ögon i en värld av blinda, jag är ingen drottning, nej jag är helt enkelt den som föddes att se fasorna, ni känner dem och jag ser dem …”

Blindheten är en roman om nedstigningen i ett helvete alltför likt vår egen värld. Men José Saramago hyser ändå hopp om att vi en dag ska leva i solidaritet och värdighet, att vi en dag ska se igen …

“Blindheten av Nobelpristagaren José Saramago är minst lika spännande som någon av Stephen Kings bästa undergångsskildringar av USA, men mer sammansatt och stilistiskt fulländad.”

Göteborgs-Posten

“Saramgao har skapat en bild som är så påträngande att den inte har någon utgång.”

Svenska Dagbladet

Library House Bangkok

2019 (edição normal)

Library House Bangkok

2019 (edição especial)

Reading Times

2002

Adı bilinmeyen bir ülkenin adı bilinmeyen bir kentinde, arabasının direksiyonunda trafik ışığının yeşile dönmesini bekleyen bir adam ansızın kör olur. Ancak karanlıklara değil, bembeyaz bir boşluğa gömülür. Arkasından, körlük salgını bütün kente, hatta bütün ülkeye yayılır. Ne yönetim kalır ülkede, ne de düzen; bütün körler karantinaya alınır. Hayal bile edilemeyecek bir kaos, pislik, açlık ve zorbalık hüküm sürmektedir artık. Yaşam durmuştur, insanların tek çabası, ne pahasına olursa olsun hayatta kalmaktır. Roman, kentteki akıl hastanesinde karantinaya alınan, oradan kurtulunca da birbirinden ayrılmayan, biri çocuk yedi kişiye odaklanır. Aralarında, bütün kentte gözleri gören tek kişi olan ve gruptakilere rehberlik eden bir kadın da vardır. Bu yedi kişi, cehenneme dönen bu kentte, hayatta kalabilmek için inanılmaz bir mücadele verir. Saramago’nun müthiş bir gözlem gücüyle betimlediği bu kaotik dünya, insanın karanlık yüzünün simgesi.

Körlük, ürkütücü bir roman, beklenmedik bir felaketi yaşayan bir toplumun nasıl çöktüğünün, nasıl bencilleştiğinin ve değer yargılarını yitirdiğinin hikayesi.

Konusunun ürkütücülüğüne rağmen olağanüstü bir şiirsellikle anlatılmış bu unutulmaz roman, usta yazarın belki de en etkileyici yapıtı.

‘Körlük’, 1998 yılı ‘Nobel Edebiyat Ödülü’ sahibi Portekizli yazar Jose Saramago’nun son yıllarda yazdığı en etkileyici kitap. Araba kullanmakta olan bir adam, yeşil ışığın yanmasını beklerken ansızın körleşiyor. Körlüğü, başvurduğu doktora da bulaşır. Bu körlük, bir salgın hastalık gibi bütün kente yayılır; öldürücü olmasa da tüm ahlâki değerleri yok etmeyi başarır. Toplum, görmeyen gözlerle cinayetlere, tecavüzlere tanık olur. Ayakta kalabilenler ancak güçlü olanlardır. Koca kentte körlükten kurtulan tek kişi, göz doktorunun karısıdır. Portekiz’in yaşayan en önemli yazarı olan Jose Saramago, bu çarpıcı romanında körlük olgusunu bir metafor olarak kullanmış, basit imgelere, sıradan sözcük oyunlarına başvurmadan, yoğun bir anlatımla, anlatıcının ve kahramanların konuşmalarını ortaklaşa bir monologa dönüştürerek, kurgunun evrenselleşebilmesi açısından kişilere ad vermeksizin liberal demokrasinin insanları sürüklediği sağlıksız ortamı olağanüstü bir ustalıkla yaratmıştır. Çağdaş dünya edebiyatının bu ünlü adının öteki yapıtlarını da yakında Can Yayınları arasında bulacaksınız.

‘Körlük’, 1998 yılı ‘Nobel Edebiyat Ödülü’ sahibi Portekizli yazar Jose Saramago’nun son yıllarda yazdığı en etkileyici kitap. Araba kullanmakta olan bir adam, yeşil ışığın yanmasını beklerken ansızın körleşiyor. Körlüğü, başvurduğu doktora da bulaşır. Bu körlük, bir salgın hastalık gibi bütün kente yayılır; öldürücü olmasa da tüm ahlâki değerleri yok etmeyi başarır. Toplum, görmeyen gözlerle cinayetlere, tecavüzlere tanık olur. Ayakta kalabilenler ancak güçlü olanlardır. Koca kentte körlükten kurtulan tek kişi, göz doktorunun karısıdır. Portekiz’in yaşayan en önemli yazarı olan Jose Saramago, bu çarpıcı romanında körlük olgusunu bir metafor olarak kullanmış, basit imgelere, sıradan sözcük oyunlarına başvurmadan, yoğun bir anlatımla, anlatıcının ve kahramanların konuşmalarını ortaklaşa bir monologa dönüştürerek, kurgunun evrenselleşebilmesi açısından kişilere ad vermeksizin liberal demokrasinin insanları sürüklediği sağlıksız ortamı olağanüstü bir ustalıkla yaratmıştır. Çağdaş dünya edebiyatının bu ünlü adının öteki yapıtlarını da yakında Can Yayınları arasında bulacaksınız.

«Сліпота» — це історія про те, як в одному безіменному мегаполісі люди раптом всі осліпли, крім однієї жінки, і до чого це призвело. Це алегорія про людське життя — безжально-іронічна, приголом­шливо-страшна і до сліз прониклива. І все ж вона вселяє впевненість, що людина спроможна все подолати, і після прочитання цієї книги, за визнанням численних читачі

«Сліпота» — це історія про те, як в одному безіменному мегаполісі люди раптом всі осліпли, крім однієї жінки, і до чого це призвело. Це алегорія про людське життя — безжально-іронічна, приголом­шливо-страшна і до сліз прониклива. І все ж вона вселяє впевненість, що людина спроможна все подолати, і після прочитання цієї книги, за визнанням численних читачі

Bachvietbooks

2007