Picked this up off the for sale rack at Chapters.

From Chapters:
Tertuliano MXimo Afonso is a history teacher in a secondary school. He is divorced, involved in a rather one-sided relationship with a bank clerk, and he is depressed. To lift his depression, a colleague suggests he rent a certain video. Tertuliano watches the film and is unimpressed. During the night, noises in his apartment wake him. He goes into the living room to find that the VCR is replaying the video, and as he watches in astonishment he sees a man who looks exactly like him-or, more specifically, exactly like the man he was five years before, mustachioed and fuller in the face. He sleeps badly.

Against his own better judgment, Tertuliano decides to pursue his double. As he establishes the man’s identity, what begins as a whimsical story becomes a dark meditation on identity and, perhaps, on the crass assumption behind cloning-that we are merely our outward appearance rather than the sum of our experiences.

Since I read Blindness by Jose Saramago, I have been on the lookout for more of his works. Blindness is one of my favourite books and one that I think everyone should read at some point in their life. These works are translated from Portuguese and Saramago has a Nobel prize for his literary works.

Tertuliano Maximo Afonso is a history teacher with depression. In hopes of making him feel better, his colleague recommends a comedic movie. Afonso rents this movie, doesn't think too highly of it, and goes to sleep. In the middle of the night, he wakes up with an odd feeling. The movie is playing on his tv and someone that looks exactly like him is acting as the hotel receptionist in the movie. These two don't just look like each other - they are identical. Even their voice is exactly the same. Afonso sets to find out who this man is. When he finally tracks him down, the two engage in a tale of bitterness, revenge, happiness, and finding out who they really are.

True to Saramago style, the novel is written with very few paragraphs and periods. All conversations are separated only by a comma. It takes a while to get into this and is difficult to read at first, but don't let this stop you from finishing any of Saramago's works!

While I felt that part of the books had been dragged out a bit - for example, there were too many conversations with "common sense" - all that was completely forgiven by the incredible ending! One doesn't really expect twists except in mystery novels, so I was completely shocked by this one! Wow! One of the best-ended books I've ever read!

Reserved for MsJoanna.

This book is with me now

Jose Saramago writes incredible literature. Those liking to read well written novels will not be disappointed with The Double. This is a philosophical outstanding read.

Tertuliano Maximo Afonso is a secondary school history teacher. A video is recommended to him and he finds it 'ho hum'. In the middle of the night he is awoken to find the video playing and a bit player resembles him. He decides to pursue the double and find out more about him. It seems he is identical even down to the scar on his knee. What ensues is an increasingly dark tale.

Saramago goes off in tangents constantly while telling the tale. It is however so well written the reader forgives this. Also punctuation is non-existent. This makes telling who is talking in a conversation difficult and worse makes for picking up the book to continue reading even more difficult.

The ending is what makes the book. It is designed to make you think and think you will.

Sent today to MsJoanna from the literature in translation swap.

Thanks for sharing this one. I've read a couple of Saramago's other books and always really enjoyed them.

I think I'm just a sucker for Saramago's writing style. I loved this book - I found the stream of consciousness narrative compelling and fast paced and the story to be thoughtful and interesting. I sort of predicted the ending, but still found it quite satisfying. This may be my favorite book so far this year.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent as the September Ballyswappers book. Hope you enjoy it!

Thank you - this looks really interesting.

I am sending this on unread - reading time is non-existant at the minute so this is going as a belated exchange book for someone who has it on their wishlist. Sorry for the delay!

Safely received in the post today, thanks - looks very interesting!