Blindness

This novel tells the story of an unnamed city in which nearly all the citizens go blind within a short span of time. However, it is not the ordinary type of blindness — that is, it is a white blindness. Instead of being engulfed in blackness, they're vision is flooded with bright milkiness.

The story follows the experiences of a select group of citizens, including the first blind man, a doctor and his wife, and a dog. In the process, it explores the utter chaos that wracks the city of blind people.

The descriptions of violence and thievery, filth and death are alarming but extremely captivating. It is a chilling reminder of the frailty of society, but also serves to highlight the strength of love and humankind's instinct for survival. Saramago's prose is powerful and evocative.