First published 2009
As the 2008 election approaches, acclaimed author José Saramago begins recording his unvarnished observations on the world around him. From the streets of Lisbon to conversations with friends, he renders vivid details that offer an uncompromising critique of the financial crisis, the Gaza conflict, and the transition from Bush to Obama. At its core, this is a deeply personal portrait of Saramago grappling with the state of global affairs.
Genres: political-science, contemporary, non-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: social-commentary, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Lisbon (Portugal)
Period: 20th century, 21st century
276 pages · Hardcover · Verso