Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of Blindness
Literary Fiction· Portugal

Blindness

by José Saramago
Aggregate Editorial Score75/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1995352 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

José Saramago's Blindness (1995) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. An epidemic of white blindness sweeps through an unnamed city; those afflicted are quarantined while society collapses around them. Saramago's allegorical masterpiece, narrated in long, unpunctuated sentences, is a harrowing study of human behaviour when civilisation strips away. The Portuguese Nobel laureate uses the blindness as a lens on politics, community, and moral responsibility. Themes of blindness, civilization, humanity run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1995.

Book Details

AuthorJosé Saramago
Published1995
Country of Origin🇵🇹 Portugal
LanguageEnglish
Pages352
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780156007757
Editorial Score75/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇵🇹 Portugal

This book is part of Portugal's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Portugal →

Editorial Assessment

José Saramago published Blindness in 1995, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Portugal. The book's treatment of blindness, civilization, humanity, power accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Blindness among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Nobel Prize in Literature 1995. Our aggregate score of 75/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. Readers coming to Blindness for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of blindness, civilization, humanity, power is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Within Portugal's literary landscape, José Saramago occupies a significant position. Blindness is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
199569
✍️
About the Author
José Saramago
Portugal
View Author →

José Saramago is a celebrated author from Portugal known for influential works of literary fiction.

Happy Children
The Parenting Companion
Happy Children
What Evolution Actually Built Your Child’s Emotions For
Your child’s emotions are not the problem. They are the operating system.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The White Tiger
literary-fiction

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Blindness about?

An epidemic of white blindness sweeps through an unnamed city; those afflicted are quarantined while society collapses around them. Saramago's allegorical masterpiece, narrated in long, unpunctuated sentences, is a harrowing study of human behaviour when civilisation strips away. The Portuguese Nobel laureate uses the blindness as a lens on politics, community, and moral responsibility.

Who wrote Blindness?

Blindness was written by José Saramago, from Portugal. First published in 1995.

What awards has Blindness won?

Blindness has received the following awards and honours: Nobel Prize in Literature 1995.

Is Blindness worth reading?

Blindness is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 69/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in blindness, civilization, humanity.

Where can I buy Blindness?

You can buy Blindness on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Blindness?

Blindness is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Blindness from?

Blindness originates from Portugal's literary tradition. Explore more books from Portugal on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📖More Literary FictionBrowse all Literary Fiction books🇵🇹Books from Portugal🇵🇹 Portugal literature📅1990s BooksPublished in the 1990s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time