2013: #29 – One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Literary Fiction
Harper Perennial Modern Classics
February 21, 2006
448
One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the story of the rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of the Buendía family. Inventive, amusing, magnetic, sad, and alive with unforgettable men and women -- brimming with truth, compassion, and a lyrical magic that strikes the soul -- this novel is a masterpiece in the art of fiction.
I’m really not sure what to say about this book. In truth, I didn’t finish it, but, I did make it about 75% of the way through. I just got tired of it. It’s an interesting and original story, but horribly confusing at times. Most of the men are named after each other, so I was constantly trying to figure out which person was being spoken about, and how old they were. I didn’t even mind the mystical elements, or the more unsavory ones (such as one of the men marrying a girl who was essentially a child of 10 or 11). It just got to be too much. I’m glad I gave it a shot, but I’m not sorry I didn’t finish.
Other reviews:
- “I think the story is still real enough to relate to and the dash of magical symbolism makes it beautiful and creative in a way that most novels are not.” — Definitely Not for the Birds
- “In other words, One Hundred Years of Solitude is a rich, epic, soul-satisfying novel well deserving of its modern classic status, a book that can be read and reread and contains a vast reservoir of human experience, both male and female.” — A Striped Armchair
- “Of course there is a lot of symbolism and imagery that can deciphered and reflected on, the story does certainly have many layers, but I don’t really find that kind of thing enjoyable.” — Britishmisk’s Blog
Thanks for the review – I think I’ll skip this one. I hope you’re doing well!
If one wonders why Marquez was awarded a Nobel, then this is the answer to such groundless doubts!
‘Magic Realism’ isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. He is an expert, the doyen in this genre. Mortals like me can’t write a review for such masterpieces.
Let my words cease. Grab a copy and devour it NOW!
As a matter of fact, I read its pdf! That was quite an excruciating task for someone who can’t stand e-books. But, it was Garcia’s spell that kept me enchanted for two whole days!
I can comfortably say that those were the 48 hours of sheer bliss…
P.S. Pelt stones at me if the climax does not enthrall you to a maddening degree..