Title: Cain
Author: José Saramago
First published October 18, 2009
150 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780099552246 (ISBN10: 0099552248)
Rating: 3.96
Overview
Just as he did with The Gospel According to Jesus Christ, José Saramago ignites controversy with his witty and thought-provoking satire of the Old Testament in Cain. This collection of stories takes a critical look at the moral and logical inconsistencies of a domineering God, adding to Saramago’s ongoing dialogue with religion.
Follow Cain as he overhears a chilling conversation between Abraham and his son Isaac and manages to intervene before tragedy strikes. And discover the suspicious circumstances surrounding the birth of Adam and Eve’s first child.
With his signature blend of humor and insight, Saramago challenges readers to question the nature of faith and the actions of those who claim to speak on behalf of God.
About the Author
José Saramago stands among the most influential writers of the past century on the global stage. Hailing from Portugal and born in 1922, Saramago emerged as a literary force in his sixties with the release of Baltasar and Blimunda.
He went on to produce a prolific collection of works, spanning more than forty languages, and was granted the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1998. Sadly, Saramago passed away in June of 2010.
Editoral Review
Cain by Jos Saramago is a novel that explores the Biblical story of the first murder, told from the perspective of Cain himself. Saramago was a Nobel Prize-winning author from Portugal who was known for his unique writing style, blending elements of magical realism, allegory, and satire.
His works often tackled social and political issues, and Cain is no exception. The novel follows Cain as he wanders the earth, cursed by God for killing his brother Abel.
Along the way, he encounters various figures from the Bible and beyond, including Abraham, Isaac, and even God himself. Saramago takes liberties with the source material, portraying Cain as a sympathetic figure who is deeply conflicted about his actions.
The novel is filled with philosophical musings on the nature of good and evil, and the relationship between humans and God. Saramago’s writing is both poetic and thought-provoking, weaving together vivid descriptions with complex ideas.
The novel is not always easy to follow, with its unconventional punctuation and lack of quotation marks, but this only adds to its dreamlike quality. Saramago’s characters are memorable and fully fleshed out, from the tormented Cain to the wise and mysterious figure of Lilith.
One of the strengths of Cain is its relevance to current events. Saramago uses the story of Cain to critique the violence and injustice of modern society, and to question the morality of the God worshipped by so many.
The novel also touches on themes of exile, identity, and the search for meaning in a world that can seem devoid of it. Saramago’s writing is not always optimistic, but it is always illuminating.
Despite its many strengths, Cain is not without its flaws. The novel can be slow-paced at times, and some readers may find its dense prose and abstract ideas hard to engage with.
Saramago’s treatment of the Bible may also be controversial for some readers, and his portrayal of God as capricious and cruel may offend those with religious beliefs. Overall, however, Cain is a remarkable achievement.
Saramago’s writing is both beautiful and challenging, and his reimagining of the Cain and Abel story is thought-provoking and relevant. This is a book that will stay with readers long after they finish it, and that has something important to say about the world we live in.
Highly recommended for fans of thoughtful, literary fiction. Rating: 4/5 stars.
