Jose Saramago's 1995 novel, Blindness, is definitely one to read. It has an atmosphere much like the 2002 movie 28 Days Later (in fact it you liked that movie, you are sure to enjoy this book) and I was unable to put it down until I finished it. The story begins with a man who goes blind while stopped at an intersection while driving his car, and what follows is what appears to be (excuse the pun) an epidemic of blindness. Everyone (well, almost) who comes in contact with the man is also struck with blindness: the person in the street who stops to help him, the people in the doctor's office where he goes for help, and even the doctor himself. You can imagine the panic that ensues, and the story continues to be quite an accurate portrayal (in my opinion) of how this situation would play out in real life. As an aside, I hear that a movie is being made and, as an avid movie fan, am greatly looking forward to seeing it when it comes out next year. It is currently listed at imdb to star (some of my personal favorites): Julianne Moore, Danny Glover, Gael Garcia Bernal, Sandra Oh, & Mark Ruffalo. Don't wait for the movie, though. Read the book!
