On the first day of the new year, no one dies. This causes consternation among politicians, religious leaders, and doctors. Among the general public, on the other hand, there is initially celebration: they have achieved eternal life. Then reality hits home, in this latest novel from the Nobel Prize-winning author.
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On the first day of the new year, no one dies. This causes consternation among politicians, religious leaders, and doctors. Among the general public, on the other hand, there is initially celebration: they have achieved eternal life. Then reality hits home, in this latest novel from the Nobel Prize-winning author.
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Fair. This item is in overall acceptable condition. Covers and dust jackets are intact but may have heavy wear including creases, bends, edge wear, curled corners or minor tears as well as stickers or sticker-residue. Pages are intact but may have minor curls, bends or moderate to considerable highlighting/ writing. Binding is intact; however, spine may have heavy wear. Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. A well-read copy overall. Please note that all items are donated goods and are in used condition. Orders shipped Monday through Friday! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!
A book about Death that is paradoxically hilarious
It gives nothing away to say that on page one, news surfaces that Death has gone on vacation, or strike, or for some unknown reason has stepped back from its infernal mission. Beginning that day, no one dies anymore. The initially jubilant response soon runs into complications galore, as this event obviously undercuts all that mankind has defined as its fate since our expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Saramago spins this fantastic tale with satirical genius, skewering every segment of society and exposing all the transactional devices we utilize to get through life.
Strange as it may seem given that its subject is Death, I was laughing out loud over and over again, even more so on the second reading than on the first. It's no surprise to me now why he won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1998.
