One of the most disturbing books ever...

WARNING: KIND OF A SPOILER ALERT...
I just finished Blindness by Jose Saramago, and I must say it was a very compelling read. People keep asking me if I liked it, and I guess that's a hard question to answer. I couldn't put it down. So there's that. But I also was horrified, disturbed and disgusted by the book. So there's that too.

The plot is basically that suddenly while driving, one man goes blind. This sets off a chain of events where blindness spreads like an infectious disease, leaving virtually no one unscathed. Soon, the blind people are herded into internment camps that smack disturbingly of World War II concentration camps. From that point, the book reads like a personal account of Auschwitz. As more people are brought to the camp, their little society turns into complete chaos. No one can find the bathroom anymore, so they just relieve themselves on the floor. The military stops delivering food. Ultimately, the thugs of the camp start hording what little food there is, and begin to make certain gruesome demands in exchange for a meager ration. Throughout the story, there is only one person who inexplicably escapes blindness, and we see all of the chaotic horror through her eyes.

I recommed this book if you want to read something deeply moving - a book about the tragedy of humanity, how evil sometimes really does prevail. There's a lot to be learned in terms of how society treats people that are blind. But even more than that, this book seems to be a warning. We need to remember that ultimately we are all equal and that the real meaning of being a human - instead of an animal - is that we have the capacity to empathize, love and help others. It's a harsh story and one not for the faint of heart.

Thanks, Carlos A, for chosing this for book club, and I can't wait to hear what everybody else has to say about it.