Death with Interruptions - José Saramago

The sentence structures in this book throw me off balance. Much like reading my own notes does. Probably like reading this blog does for you. There is minimal punctuation. All one thought by a neutral third party. I am far from neutral. Biased to the extreme!




No more death in Portugal! Being invincible is not all that it is cracked up to be? Well one problem is that it is all that it is 'cracked up to be.' Those on their way out remain so. Accidents that should kill don't. Those left to take care of ailing family members soon realize salvation lies just beyond the borders.

The mafia becomes involved and the government encourages the mafia by leaving points on the border unguarded. Those dying know what is happening as their feet cross the border, giving time for the mind to see. All this while mortuaries and embalmers take to preparing pets for burial. The death that covers pets didn't take a break. A bummer for the funeral industry.

Death soon goes back to work, deciding to give her 'victims' seven day notice. Seven days to get their affairs in order. Notices written on lavender stationary magically find their intended recipient. Save for one, a man whose letter keeps coming back "Return to Sender."

A good story. Much like life, it all ends in disappointment.

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 1 edition (October 6, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0151012741
ISBN-13: 978-0151012749
Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 1 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces