Source: Public Library
Hardcover, 238 pages
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Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago, translated by
“And then, as if time had stopped, nothing happened. The queen mother neither improved nor deteriorated, she remained there in suspension, her frail body hovering on the very edge of life, threatening at any moment to tip over onto the other side, yet bound to this side by a tenuous thread to which, out of some strange caprice, death, because it could only have been death, continued to keep hold.” (page 3)
Amidst the heavy handed and grim dealings of the government, religion, and medical fields to deal with the crisis of no on being able to die and be buried, Saramago offers readers a look at the darker side of humanity following an initial euphoria that immortality had been achieved. A deeply philosophical fable, this novel is almost of two minds — focused on the human institutions and their reaction in one half and then focused on the reasons why death has ceased and wanted a vacation from it all. While the latter half of the book is very reminiscent of those old myths about the gods falling for humans, Saramago never loses sight of who death is and how manipulative and tactless she can be. She’s romancing a cellist, but in the only way death can, with veiled threats of harm and mystery about her intentions. Some readers will either love the last third of the book or find it too cliche.
Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago, translated by
What the Book Club Thought:
The book club was all over the place with this one, with some really finding it humorous, a few not even finishing the book, and a few others that simply hated it. While many abhorred the writing style, others didn’t mind it as much, but wanted a more impactful story about individual families or characters — they wanted to see the more human side of things. None of the members agreed on who the narrator could be, though some suspected God, the Scythe, or Love as the narrators. While I was dealing with a toddler during this meeting and a migraine, I probably missed a lot of the discussion, which is unfortunate for me, since I’ve read a few of this novelist’s books before and may have been able to help with a bit of the background, etc. for him and his writing. There is definitely a great number of issues to talk about and definitely will raise dilemmas, but the members will have to get through the book first.
About the Author:
José de Sousa Saramago (1922–2010) was a Portuguese writer and recipient of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature. He was a member of the Portuguese Communist Party. His works, some of which can be seen as allegories, commonly present subversive perspectives on historic events, emphasizing the human factor rather than the officially sanctioned story. Saramago was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1998. He founded the National Front for the Defense of Culture (Lisbon, 1992) with among others Freitas-Magalhaes. He lived on Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Spain, where he died in June 2010.
Well you know how much I hated the writing style. I couldn’t get past it. I wish I’d been able to read past page 30 and hadn’t been sick so I could’ve participated in the discussion. I’m glad you didn’t hate it, though.
The writing style is definitely something that you have to get used to…or just skip altogether.
I have seen this one make the rounds before. It’s an interesting premise, for sure. I am not sure I could handle the lack of punctuation. I can for a short while but I have no patience at the end of the day to piece my way through it. BUT, I bet it would throw my book club for a loop. They are a little safe in their selections. Although, they are much better now than they were 14 years ago.
This was definitely a book that generated a great deal of discussion.
I’m not sure the book is for me but it sure sounds like it generated a great discussion.
It was definitely a good book for discussion at a book club.