Are You Sitting Comfortably? Reading Saramago Aloud

In this article, I explore the oral qualities of José Saramago’s writing, with particular focus on Ensaio sobre a Cegueira (1995), identifying how Saramago uses the written word to revive a European tradition of oral literature. I bring his allusions to other cultural traditions under the spotlight in order to define and assess the various ways in which this author ensures that the voices of both its characters and their creator resound within the polyphonic space of the novel. I examine how Saramago’s use of punctuation, rhyme and rhythm sets the reading pace and draws attention to the sound of the text, forcing his readers to become listeners. Through this examination of the oral qualities of Saramago’s work, I show how his deliberate and careful use of language supports the ideas and concepts that are more often the focal point of much scholarly interest.