The Insult

Infobox Book |
name = The Insult
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author = Rupert Thomson
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country = United Kingdom
language = English
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genre = Novel
publisher = Bloomsbury
release_date = November 1996
media_type = Print
pages = 416 pp
isbn = ISBN 978-0-7475-2601-8
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"The Insult" is a novel by Rupert Thomson. The novel describes the life of Martin Blom, who is shot while walking to his car and consequently goes blind. While being treated in a clinic, he seemingly regains his vision, but only at night. While his doctors assure him he has Anton's syndrome, he believes adamantly in his ability to see, even going so far as to disguise it from others who think him still blind. The book is written as a first-person narrative.

The novel's title is a pun on the use of the word "insult" to describe traumatic brain injury and refers to the shock of losing one's sight as the ultimate insult.

Awards and nominations

"The Insult" was shortlisted for the 1996 Guardian Fiction Prize.