Blindness
Critique • Quotes • At the movies
Original title
Ensaio sobre a cegueira
First publication
1997
Literature form
Novel
Genres
Literary, post-apocalyptic
Writing language
Portuguese
Author's country
Portugal
Length
Approx. 134,500 words
Notable lines
The amber light came on. Two of the cars ahead accelerated before the red light appeared. At the pedestrian crossing the sign of a green man lit up. The people who were waiting began to cross the road, stepping on the white stripes painted on the black surface of the asphalt, there is nothing less liike a zebra, however, that is what it is called.
— First lines, translated by Giovanni Pontiero
The sceptics, who are many and stubborn, claim that, when it comes to human nature, if it is true that the opportunity does not always make the thief, it is also true that it helps a lot.
Inside us there is something that has no name, that something is what we are.
Men are all the same, they think that because they came out of the belly of a woman they know all there is to know about women.
Do you want me to tell you what I think, Yes, do, I don't think we did go blind, I think we are blind, Blind but seeing, Blind people who can see, but do not see.
You'll have lunch with us, won't you, if you've nothing more important to do, Yes, I'm sure, And you're not afraid I might be tricking you, Not with those tears in your eyes, no.
— Last lines
Critique • Quotes • At the movies