“Saramago’s novel is a delightful creation of characters with universal appeal.”—Library Journal, starred review“A masterly creation.” —Independent “The rescue of this novel from oblivion is something to be grateful for.” —Times Literary SupplementLisbon, late 1940s. The inhabitants of a faded apartment building are struggling to make ends meet: Silvestre the cobbler and his wife take in a disaffected young lodger; Dona Lidia, who used to work the streets, is now kept by a businessman with a roving eye. The cultivated family of Dona Candida, come down in the world, keep to themselves with their books and music. Emilio the humble salesman has a Spanish wife who’s in a permanent rage; Claudinha the beautiful young typist has a boss who lusts for her; Justina and her womanizer husband live at war with each other.Happy marriages, abusive relationships, jealousy, gossip, love—Skylight is a portrait of ordinary people painted by the master of the quotidian, a great observer of the immense be
