Set in 18th-century Portugal, Baltasar and Blimunda is a tale of love, faith, and resistance during the reign of King João V. The story follows Baltasar, a one-handed soldier, and Blimunda, a woman with the power to see inside people’s souls, as they assist a priest in building a flying machine powered by human will. Saramago’s lyrical prose weaves together history, fantasy, and philosophy, creating a powerful narrative about human aspiration and the cost of oppression.

Why Read This Book

• A masterpiece of magical realism and historical fiction.
• Explores themes of love, freedom, and the human spirit’s resilience.
• Saramago’s unique narrative voice is both poetic and thought-provoking.

About the Author

José Saramago (1922–2010) was a Portuguese writer and Nobel Prize laureate renowned for his inventive storytelling and profound exploration of humanity. His works, including Blindness and The Gospel According to Jesus Christ, have earned him a place among the great literary figures of the 20th century.