This is a difficult book for me to review. On one hand, I've never found a book with so much truth in it. I dog-eared so many pages I had to go back and selectively choose the ones I'd add to my quotes to remember for later. But, I'm not sure I got what he was trying to say.

This is the story of one recently widowed man who lives with his only daughter and her relatively new husband. He is a potter, from a long line of potters. His wife was a potter. His daughter is also a potter. Pottery making is featured heavily throughout most of the book, and I reached a point where I was just tired of the endless discussion about pottery. But, the story is about so much more than pottery ...

Saramago has an unusual style of writing which does take some getting used to. He uses commas in a frequent and uncommon way. After a while, I no longer noticed them and learned to read as I believe he intended me to, but it took some practice.

I enjoyed this book. I talked about it with anyone who would listen, and would like to discuss it more with those who have finished it, because as I said in the beginning, I'm not sure I got what he was trying to say.

Anyone read this? Help!