Blindness
Registered by 
AceofHearts
of Mississauga, Ontario Canada on 1/27/2010
This book is in a Controlled Release!
AceofHearts of Mississauga, Ontario Canada on 1/27/2010 This book is in a Controlled Release!
3 journalers for this copy...
Amazon Editorial Review:
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
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
My father listened to this and loved it
mailed today to Mellion
Thanks, Ace! I picked this up a couple of days ago. I'm looking forward to reading/listening—the movie looked interesting (although I didn't see it), and I assume the book is probably even better.
Unabridged, 11 CDs, approximately 12.5 hours, read by Jonathan Davis
Unabridged, 11 CDs, approximately 12.5 hours, read by Jonathan Davis
I was so happy to get this book.
Until about CD #4. I know this is a novel of intricate prose, symbolism, and metaphor. I know the author won a Nobel Prize for literature.
And I know that I had to force myself to finish the book. I enjoy apocalptic-like tales. I think it's fascinating (and terrifying) to imagine what the world would be like if faced with a major disaster or illness. That's what drew me to this novel—imagine how horrifying to suddenly go blind and to find out that everyone around you was stricken with the same blindness and no one can determine a cause or a cure. But this particular story never grabbed me and I struggled to finish it.
I can buy into the forced quarantine. I can definitely buy into the total breakdown of government and civility. The events described in the book don't surprise me, but the narrative dragged for me and I often wanted to scream, "Get to the point!" It's obvious that my level of patience isn't what it needs to be in order to appreciate this work.
*******************************POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD***********************
(Highlight to see text.)
Start mellion's rant: The rape scenes, although horrifically violent, were surprisingly ho-hum. The characters react to things like this in such a passive manner (ok, except the doctor's wife). And how would every single street and every single person become absolutely filthy in such a short period of time? And why do so many people end up squatting and straining to defecate in the streets? And what is up with the freakin' dog? Again, my frustration has more to do with my level of patience, I think. I can appreciate the author's skills as a writer. I can appreciate the message that he was driving home with this book (or using to beat the already dead horse with). Even with all that, I have to admit defeat. I tried the book. It didn't work for me. I wish future readers well with it. ;-)*************END OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS*********************
Some great works speak to certain people. This particular great work did not speak to me. Perhaps something was lost in the translation?
Anyway, enough of my whining! Kathyb chose this from the CD Only Audio VBB on BookObsesessed. I plan to ship this to her tomrrow.
Until about CD #4. I know this is a novel of intricate prose, symbolism, and metaphor. I know the author won a Nobel Prize for literature.
And I know that I had to force myself to finish the book. I enjoy apocalptic-like tales. I think it's fascinating (and terrifying) to imagine what the world would be like if faced with a major disaster or illness. That's what drew me to this novel—imagine how horrifying to suddenly go blind and to find out that everyone around you was stricken with the same blindness and no one can determine a cause or a cure. But this particular story never grabbed me and I struggled to finish it.
I can buy into the forced quarantine. I can definitely buy into the total breakdown of government and civility. The events described in the book don't surprise me, but the narrative dragged for me and I often wanted to scream, "Get to the point!" It's obvious that my level of patience isn't what it needs to be in order to appreciate this work.
*******************************POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD***********************
(Highlight to see text.)
Start mellion's rant: The rape scenes, although horrifically violent, were surprisingly ho-hum. The characters react to things like this in such a passive manner (ok, except the doctor's wife). And how would every single street and every single person become absolutely filthy in such a short period of time? And why do so many people end up squatting and straining to defecate in the streets? And what is up with the freakin' dog? Again, my frustration has more to do with my level of patience, I think. I can appreciate the author's skills as a writer. I can appreciate the message that he was driving home with this book (or using to beat the already dead horse with). Even with all that, I have to admit defeat. I tried the book. It didn't work for me. I wish future readers well with it. ;-)*************END OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS*********************
Some great works speak to certain people. This particular great work did not speak to me. Perhaps something was lost in the translation?
Anyway, enough of my whining! Kathyb chose this from the CD Only Audio VBB on BookObsesessed. I plan to ship this to her tomrrow.
Received today from Mellion - Thanks!
Sent to someone on PaperBackSwap who requested it.
