Cipriano Algor, an ageing potter, lives with his daughter in the shadow of the Centre, a nebulous megaplex that provides his livelihood - until it haughtily decrees it is no longer interested in his humble wares. In despair, he goes to visit his wife's grave, encountering there a widowed neighbour, Isaura. But his daughter is not ready to give up on him yet. Together, hopefully, father and daughter craft a new line of small ceramic figurines; to their astonishment, the Centre orders vast quantities. But once the figures are complete, the Centre backtracks- there is no market for them. Defeated once again, he returns to his village, where Isaura awaits him. HE CAVE is further indication that Saramago is one of the world's greatest novelists, a master allegorist and storyteller.
- ISBN10 1860469981
- ISBN13 9781860469985
- Publish Date 3 October 2002
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 12 May 2010
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Vintage Publishing
- Imprint The Harvill Press
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 304
- Language English