Journal Entry 1 by melinda010100 from Janesville, Wisconsin USA on Wednesday, August 10, 2005

received today from PBS 

Journal Entry 2 by melinda010100 from Janesville, Wisconsin USA on Wednesday, January 04, 2006

I just finished reading this book tonight and will pass it along to my Jan. Blah exchange partner. What an amazing book- it is the story of man at his worst, written by a man of wisdom. 

Journal Entry 3 by morsecode from Buffalo, New York USA on Wednesday, January 18, 2006

This was part of my wonderful Banishing the January Blahs package. I've heard great things about his book and I can't wait to see for myself how good it really is. Thanks so much, Melinda! 

Journal Entry 4 by morsecode from Buffalo, New York USA on Wednesday, July 19, 2006

I was horrified by this book and what happened to the characters, intentionally so. Blindness is amazingly well-written (OK, maybe this isn't unexpected since Saramago is a Nobel Prize winner). I think it would have been even better in the original Portuguese (a direct translation of the title would be "Essay on blindness") particularly because even in the English-version I noticed things that I could only really understand because of my knowledge of romance languages (references to the personal "you," etc).

I'll be passing this book on to LastEdition, who ended up with it after a Bookshelf-raiding swap on the bookrelay site.

ETA: LastEdition requested that I pass this on to AceofHearts as an RABCK. I'm planning on seeing Ace next month so I'll give it to her then. 

Journal Entry 5 by AceofHearts from Mississauga, Ontario Canada on Sunday, August 20, 2006

Thanks for the book. I have heard wonderful things about this book. 

Journal Entry 6 by AceofHearts from Mississauga, Ontario Canada on Thursday, August 31, 2006

This is a fantastic book that everyone should read. It shows how quickly we can lose our humanity with loss of eyesight. This should be the bible on how not to treat people. A book that really makes you think 

Journal Entry 7 by AceofHearts from Mississauga, Ontario Canada on Thursday, September 14, 2006

mailed to CdnBlueRose for LastEdition's M-bag. Thank you for letting me read this first 

Journal Entry 8 by CdnBlueRose from Arvada, Colorado USA on Monday, September 25, 2006

Received today for LastEdition's mbag - thanks Ace 

Journal Entry 9 by CdnBlueRose from Arvada, Colorado USA on Thursday, October 26, 2006

Going out in LastEdition's mbag!! 

Journal Entry 10 by LastEdition on Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Well, well ... lolol .. Ace you are a gem .. I knew you wished for this book and admit I got interested in reading it thanks to "the bookshelf raid", so I thought it was only fair you got it .. I know I did the side-step when you wanted to mail it to me after having read it (I tried to spare you the expense). I thank you so very much for your thoughtfulness in finding a way out thanks to Rosie;-) I will never forget my relay-friends!
 

Journal Entry 11 by LastEdition at RABCK in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (1/31/2008 UTC) at RABCK in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases

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Although I still have a Saramago to read in my Nobel challenge this is not the one. I already have another so I think it is about time this one travels to someone who may hopefully read it and pass it on.
 

Journal Entry 12 by marko167 from Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona Spain on Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Arrived this morning. Am looking forward very much to reading Saramago.

Many thanks,

M. 

Journal Entry 13 by marko167 from Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona Spain on Monday, December 08, 2008

Fabulous book, on one level a great story and on another a dark exploration on the ways of man. Whilst I do understand why previous readers have focused on the more depressing aspects of human nature, I think it worth pointing out that I think that Saramago whilst acknowledging the selfish and cruel side of human nature also wanted us to see the stronger kinder side. The desire to survive and the ability for the one to take responsibilty for the many and through sacrifice and hardship ultimately find a sort of salvation.

Astoundingly well written, I found myself so engrossed at times that when I put the book down I was sometimes suprised that I was not blind. Very good book and I recommend it highly.

I am currently hosting the Nobel Spiral and have not yet chosen which will be my Saramago book. I also have All the Names which I will read and then maybe I will chose between the two. 

Journal Entry 14 by geetheflea from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, April 16, 2009

Arrived a couple of days ago and have started reading. Already really enjoying it. Thanks as always Marko167 :) 

Journal Entry 15 by geetheflea from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, April 24, 2009

While I enjoyed this book it did not engross me as much as I had expected it too. It was only in the late stages of the book (I don't want to give anything away!) with a change of scenery that I suddenly couldn't put the book down. I thought there were some wonderful passages that stuck in the mind like the three woman bathing in the rain. The female characters in this book were very strong capable women while the actions of 'man' and men were where we really saw a loss of humanity and signs of weakness. I don't know if the writer intended this or not.

Thanks marko167 - looking forward to the next! 

Journal Entry 16 by geetheflea at Southwark, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, April 24, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (4/24/2009 UTC) at Southwark, Greater London United Kingdom

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Off to brunton11. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 17 by brunton11 from Salford, Lancashire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 25, 2009

Arrived today - Thanks as always to marko and g. 

Journal Entry 18 by brunton11 from Salford, Lancashire United Kingdom on Thursday, May 07, 2009

I think this is the Nobel Spiral book that's captured my attention most so far. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author. Thanks marko and g for sending this book on. It's nice to see one that's travelled so far already.

I should get this in the post to katrinat tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 19 by katrinat from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex United Kingdom on Monday, May 11, 2009

Arrived this morning, I don't know this author at all so looking forward to this 

Journal Entry 20 by katrinat at BOOK RING, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, July 04, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (7/4/2009 UTC) at BOOK RING, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

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Hope you enjoy this great read 

Journal Entry 21 by afraberg from Amsterdam, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Friday, July 10, 2009

Book arrived at my home today. It is falling apart, so I'll read it carefully.
Thanks for sending katrinat. 

Journal Entry 22 by afraberg at Nijmegen, Gelderland Netherlands on Monday, July 20, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (7/17/2009 UTC) at Nijmegen, Gelderland Netherlands

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I liked this book a lot. A unusual style of telling the story, but it worked for me. A very good choice for the nobel spiral.

I've sent the book to Marsala. 

Journal Entry 23 by marsala from Chiswick, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, July 20, 2009

And the book arrived safely in my mailbox. I'll start it as soon as I finish my current read.

I enjoyed this book a lot, definitely one of my favourite books of this year. The writing style was a bit odd at times, but that was sort of fitting I guess. Like, when you can't see people speak it's harder to hear where the beginning of a sentence is, or who is speaking at who. 

Journal Entry 24 by marsala at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, September 07, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (9/7/2009 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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On its way to the next reader. 

Journal Entry 25 by Moonwoolf from Azambuja, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Sunday, September 13, 2009

Thank you for sending to me this great card. Will give news as soon as possible.
Happy readings.

22-03-2010-> After a long period off i come back and start by sending this book to the next person interested in reading it.
Thank you for sharing and sending a great book of the only Portuguese Literature Nobel. :D