Here's a summary:
The story unfolds through the eyes of the man as he recounts his life on the border, marked by an invisible line that separates his reality from that of his neighbors in the other country. The man witnesses the absurdity of the border, where families are separated, lives are disrupted, and arbitrary rules govern their lives.
The novel is structured around the man's observations and encounters with various characters, including the border guards, villagers, and refugees. He encounters individuals struggling with the complexities of border life, experiencing love, loss, and frustration.
Through his encounters, the man questions the meaning of the border, the arbitrary nature of national identity, and the limitations imposed by human-made lines. He reflects on the absurdity of war, the meaninglessness of division, and the universal human desire for connection and understanding.
The novel explores themes of:
* The absurdity of borders: The man challenges the idea of artificial boundaries that separate people, families, and cultures.
* The search for identity: The man grapples with his own sense of identity, questioning his place in the world and the significance of his life.
* The limitations of language: Saramago's use of a single, long sentence throughout the novel highlights the difficulty of expressing complex ideas and experiences through language.
* The universality of the human condition: Despite the political and geographical divides, the novel reveals the commonalities that bind all humans, regardless of their origins.
"La Linea" is a thought-provoking and deeply philosophical novel that prompts readers to question their own assumptions about borders, identity, and the meaning of life. It is a powerful exploration of the human condition in a world divided by arbitrary lines.