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.

Excellent

well written, fantastic story. written in a laconic Portuguese style. the kind of story that some will think a waste of time and others will adore

A brilliant view of life

The only way by which life can conquer death is by thought devoted to creativity. It’s not the cellist but the new Bach concerto which he creates that conquers death by turning her into a beautiful sensual woman.

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.

Strange and clever

The author first poses an existential dilemma, explores its impacts on societies and politics at many levels through the characters who think about death differently than each other. Eventually we meet Death and so does a musician. This last section is magical. The prose is propulsive. Several times I put the narrative aside but in a day or two some of it in contemplation, I returned to it and was always rewarded. The humor is clever and surprising. Narrators voice is calm, unhurried providing what I came to regard as background music to the story. It has no edges no except when appropriate; perfect for this novel.

interesting but slightly boring

fell asleep listening to this book a few times. there are very interesting concepts it's just not the most exciting book

Saramago a magician

Nobody plays with life, love or death as Saramago does. His unique way to take you under his spell, it is impossible to describe. Magnificent.