Seeing

by José Saramago

First published 2004

As local elections approach, a nameless city's residents stage a bold protest by casting ballots in an unexpected way. Panicked officials scramble to suppress the unorthodox votes, even fabricating evidence against the defiant citizens. This unsettling scenario escalates with palpable tension as the stakes for the people's collective act of resistance steadily rise. At its core, this novel explores how ordinary people can challenge entrenched power when they choose to stand united.

Genres: contemporary, social-issues, political-thriller, activism

Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: collective-action, ordinary-people

Setting: City

Period: Local Elections

307 pages · Paperback · Harvill Secker

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