José Saramago's 'Baltasar and Blimunda' is a stunning historical novel set in 18th-century Portugal, weaving together the construction of the colossal Mafra Convent with the personal stories of its unforgettable characters. It follows the one-armed war veteran Baltasar and the visionary Blimunda, who possesses the uncanny ability to see inside people. Their unique love story unfolds against a backdrop of royal ambition, clerical power, and the common people's struggles. Saramago masterfully blends history, fantasy, and social commentary, offering a profound meditation on human folly, faith, and the pursuit of dreams, even those involving flying machines.