Cain

By: José Saramago

Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau

Length: 5 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The late Nobel laureate's final novel, a radical retelling of the Old Testament.

In this, his last novel, Saramago daringly reimagines the characters and narratives of the Bible through the story of Cain. Condemned to wander forever after he kills Abel, he is whisked around in time and space. He experiences the almost-sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, the Tower of Babel, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Joshua at the battle of Jericho, Jobe's ordeal, and finally Noah's ark and the Flood. And over and over again Cain encounters an unjust, even cruel God. A startling, beautifully written, and powerful book, in all ways a fitting end to Saramago's extraordinary career.

©2011 Jose Saramago (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Reading the Portuguese writer Jose Saramago, one quickly senses the presence of a master." (Christian Science Monitor)

"Saramago is the most tender of writers...with a clear-eyed and compassionate acknowledgment of things as they are, and a quality that can only be termed wisdom." (New York Times)

"Narrator Kevin Pariseau is the perfect choice to deliver this book. His dry reading style is in perfect harmony with the author's droll humor. Pariseau uses variations in tone and pitch to differentiate the characters, which helps the listener follow the extensive cast introduced throughout. While the pace of the prose is fast, the audio journey is carefully managed, so the narration is never rushed." (AudioFile)

Made me think

Saramago's imagination defies tradition and awakes questions about religion and society. Satirical and thoughtful

a good critic

me gusto mucho el libro como te lleva por todos los pasajes del antiguo testamento con una critica a la razón de ejercer el poder que tiene el todopoderoso

A great book

A wonderful book that I found to be developmental and maturative for a young man coming of age such as myself. I found this book to be highly intelligent and worthwhile to get through. I further highly recommend this book.

god awful narrator

What didn’t you like about Kevin Pariseau’s performance?

this is probably a wonderful story but the narrator's smirky, snide tone just ruins Saramago's subtle poetic observations. Wish I had listened to the preview before I bought it, it's like listening to nails on a chalk board, not sure I can get through the whole thing.

Raising Cain

What did you love best about Cain?

The story and Cain's ability to ride his donkey into Biblical tipping points and provide a possible

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lillith as I've always wondered about the original liberated woman as well as the stuff of nightmare legends.

What about Kevin Pariseau’s performance did you like?

His range and ability to assume varies roles with a change in pitch or tone that made for easy listening.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes however on the second night I stayed up late to catch the ending.

Any additional comments?

Not for everyone and not overly deep but worth the price.

Intellectually interesting, emotionally empty

A retelling of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, as well as Adam and Eve, Noah's ark, etc. Saramago's writing style is engaging because it's so unusual. But his iconoclastic attitude towards the Bible and religion wears thin after a while leaving this reader at least wanting more depth and less caricature. Worth reading if you want something quick and mildly diverting. At least Kevin Pariseau does a great job of bringing the characters to life.

One Heck of Funny Book!!!!!

Oh my gosh.... this is such a FUNNY book... I have listened to it quite a few times and I always get a kick out of this re-imagining of Genesis.

Basically the lead character Cain goes around on his donkey creating havoc wherever he goes. He is NOT a nice person and he is endlessly quibbling with God and blaming all of his wrongdoings on God, who is also not a very "nice", um, God?

Saramago can write VERY subversive books (The Gospel According to Jesus Christ.... which sadly is available as an audiobook, but not though Audible as far as I know) got the nobel-prize winning author kicked out of his home country. Sometimes Christians just cannot take a joke.

So if you are one of those, don't get this book... you will hate it. But for you who aren't offended of someone making fun of the bible, go for it! It is so well narrated, too. Just the perfect amount of irony, scorn and smarmy-ness that tip the book from very funny to rolling on the ground laughing funny.

One of my favorites!

An Amusing "What if"

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Decrease the sex scenes. Only a few wer essential to the story

If you???ve listened to books by Jose Saramago before, how does this one compare?

NA

What does Kevin Pariseau bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

It's pretty amazing how he does the voices

Do you think Cain needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No

Masterful

Saramago is a genius. Cain is filled with humor, sarcasm and truths.
I can't believe this book was one of the free listens.

great point of view Cain's life

a great story from Saramago. highly recommended. just one thing, this audio jumps a couple of times, i hope audible can improve it