The Stone Raft by Jose Saramago is a surreal novel where the Iberian Peninsula breaks free from the European continent and starts floating across the Atlantic, leading to panic and intrigue. The story follows a group of strangers brought together by peculiar circumstances as they travel through Portugal and Spain, exploring human reactions and motivations in the face of this inexplicable event. Saramago's writing style is characterized by long, rambling sentences broken by occasional commas, focusing on the personal and global consequences of the upheaval, all while maintaining a sense of humor and deep understanding of human nature.

Characters:

The characters are a varied group, each with distinct traits that foster their connection and shared journey, reflecting resilience and individuality in extraordinary circumstances.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is idiosyncratic, characterized by long sentences with sparse punctuation, resulting in a conversational and rhythmic flow that may take time for readers to adjust to.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a fantastical event where the Iberian Peninsula detaches from Europe, exploring the lives and connections of five characters amid the ensuing chaos.

Setting:

Set in the shifting landscape of the Iberian Peninsula, the story's geographical transformations serve as a backdrop for exploring emotional and societal upheaval.

Pacing:

The pacing is characterized by a slower beginning focused on world-building and character introductions, followed by a more dynamic narrative as the story progresses.

Notes:

The story is about the Iberian Peninsula breaking away from Europe and drifting into the Atlantic.

This event starts with a crack at the Spanish-French border.

The drifting peninsula moves at a speed of 750 kilometers a day.

The narrative includes five main characters who come together during this crisis.

Characters include a man who can throw a rock incredibly far and a woman who uses a stick to draw an indelible line in the sand.

Saramago's writing style features minimal punctuation, primarily using full stops and commas.

His sentences are long and conversational, requiring concentration from the reader.

The story explores themes of human nature, government responses, and social order amid a bizarre event.

The humor in the book often ridicules bureaucracy and government inefficiency.

The book draws parallels to Saramago's earlier work, 'Blindness,' in its exploration of existential and societal themes.

It combines magical realism with political commentary, focusing on personal and global reactions to change.

Has Romance?

Romance is present but is not the main focus; it exists as part of the characters' journeys and interactions.

From The Publisher:

When the Iberian Peninsula breaks free of Europe and begins to drift across the North Atlantic, five people are drawn together on the newly formed island-first by surreal events and then by love. "A splendidly imagined epic voyage...a fabulous fable" (Kirkus Reviews). Translated by Giovanni Pontiero.

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Want To Read (3)

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The Stone Raft?

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About the Author:

JOSÉ SARAMAGO (1922-2010) was the author of many novels, among them Blindness, All the Names, Baltasar and Blimunda, and The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis. In 1998 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

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