Saramago is an acquired taste - even at his best. I'm not sure this is his best although, as with all his work, once you're into it the tale is invigorating and interesting. Somewhat surreally, the plot is quite similar to the recent Torchwood miniseries on TV. It's better executed and makes more sense, but if you've seen that then many of the main concerns (i.e. what happens to society if people stop dying but don't stop ageing, getting injured or getting ill.) I believe this came first and it's hard to step away and believe someone, somewhere, hadn't seen this when they sat down to write the TV show.
Nevertheless, this is funnier and less self-absorbed than its visual companion and, as always, Saramago's story, the questions it asks and the issues it raises will remain with you long after you reach the final word.
It's not as profound as the Cave, nor as visceral as Blindness but a good little story nonetheless. If you're new to Saramago, I'd start somewhere else.
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