The Book of Names

Summary

The novel «The Book of Names» by José Saramago tells the story of José, a humble clerk working at the Central Registry of Births, Marriages, and Deaths. José leads a monotonous life until one day he discovers a card of an unknown woman in the archives. Intrigued, he begins a search for this woman, leading to unexpected discoveries and prompting him to reevaluate his life. During his quest, José encounters bureaucratic obstacles and internal struggles that make him ponder the significance of names and identity. The novel explores themes of loneliness, the search for meaning, and human connection in a world where individuality often gets lost among impersonal data.