Death with Interruptions

By: Margaret Jull Costa - translator, José Saramago

Narrated by: Paul Baymer

Nobel Prize-winner Jose Saramago's brilliant new novel poses the question: What happens when the grim reaper decides there will be no more death? On the first day of the new year, no one dies. This of course causes consternation among politicians, religious leaders, morticians, and doctors. Among the general public, on the other hand, there is initially celebration - flags are hung out on balconies, people dance in the streets. They have achieved the great goal of humanity: eternal life. Then reality hits home - families are left to care for the permanently dying, life-insurance policies become meaningless, and funeral parlors are reduced to arranging burials for pet dogs, cats, hamsters, and parrots.

Death sits in her chilly apartment, where she lives alone with scythe and filing cabinets, and contemplates her experiment: What if no one ever died again? What if she, death with a small d, became human and were to fall in love?

©2009 Jose Saramago (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

Saramago being Saramago, he turns what could be the stuff of late-night stoner debate into a lucid, playful and politically edgy novel of ideas.... Saramago adds two satisfying cliffhangers—how far can he go with the concept, and will death succumb to human love? The package is profound, resonant and—bonus—entertaining." ( Publishers Weekly)

It only gets better as you go.

NGL, I had a pretty negative feeling about the story at first, largely due to the irrational (albiet relatively accurate human behaviour,) however the second half was incredibly enjoyable, and now I have a completely positive view of it. Btw the fact that the reader is only showing to have read three books is a shame. One of the best readers I have heard in a while, along with the guy that reads Infinite Jest.

“The Dispatcher” but with different rules

If you have read John Sculzi’s “The Dispatcher” then you will find this book to be similar in some ways, and very different in others. If you liked that book, then you will very likely enjoy this one as well.

Fabulous writing

Thought-provoking and droll. The author is truly a genius. I had to listen at 1.5x though because the narrator is SOOOO SLOOOOW. Oddly, at the faster speed, I felt that the narrator’s automaton-like voice deftly conveyed the irony and dry humor in the writing.

Brought to Tears

I don't think I've read a José Saramago story without my heart forcing me too get a little misty eyed. Not for just the story itself but the beautiful writing. The translation was so very good and brought the magic of the Portuguese original to my ears. The simple poetry and perfectly limited pallet of words are so heartfelt and heartbreaking at times. Truly let's me see what real talent is in writing. Never have I heard such gorgeous prose and felt that the characters in this story could be real people, with deep humanity and heart.

The moral question of humanity

I loved this book for it captured my attention immediately. The questions it arises when the apprentice philosopher contemplates life and death, the back and forth of sentences uttered already just to reappear with a satisfying explanation! I loved it all.