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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Obsession. Desire. Deception. Ire. Apathy. Disaffection. Disgust.
I am conflicted.
By all accounts, this is a 5-star novel in my own framework. It was engrossing, challenging, demanding, entertaining, provocative, sprawling yet concise; it was neatly crafted and artfully written. And yet, I am embarrassed to give it all five.
We meet our hero-and, arguably, antagonist-at the opening of the novel, but we spend the majority of the time with the villain (opinion mine). We follow a man infatuated and obsessed with a teenage fling well into senile decay, traipsing about life with careless abandon in pursuit of an imagined love, with little concern for consequence or the damage left in his wake.
In many ways reminiscent of Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (poor man loves woman from a higher social circle who marries someone in her orb, spends adulthood trying to position himself to win her graces notwithstanding her wedded status, gains wealth only to find that money won't change the circumstances, keeps trying anyway) the unlikeable characters here are given an entire lifetime (and about 200+ more pages) to continue in their debauchery. So this leaves me with the nagging suspicion that the reprehensible actions of many of the characters herein (sexual assault, enticement and sex abuse of a minor, stalking, incessant violations of boundaries clearly set and communicated) not only fail to be condemned by the author, but he seems to approve of them, even if the events take place in a time so different from ours.
But I've learned that good art doesn't have to include likable content or characters to be appreciated. So these stars are staying, however much anguish they cause me.
I am conflicted.
By all accounts, this is a 5-star novel in my own framework. It was engrossing, challenging, demanding, entertaining, provocative, sprawling yet concise; it was neatly crafted and artfully written. And yet, I am embarrassed to give it all five.
We meet our hero-and, arguably, antagonist-at the opening of the novel, but we spend the majority of the time with the villain (opinion mine). We follow a man infatuated and obsessed with a teenage fling well into senile decay, traipsing about life with careless abandon in pursuit of an imagined love, with little concern for consequence or the damage left in his wake.
In many ways reminiscent of Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (poor man loves woman from a higher social circle who marries someone in her orb, spends adulthood trying to position himself to win her graces notwithstanding her wedded status, gains wealth only to find that money won't change the circumstances, keeps trying anyway) the unlikeable characters here are given an entire lifetime (and about 200+ more pages) to continue in their debauchery.
Spoiler
That Jay Gatsby doesn't get his way makes Fitzgerald's work a cautionary tale. That Florentino Ariza ultimately succeeds (?) in his "conquest" makes all the reprehensible actions taken, purportedly, in the name of love appear justified.But I've learned that good art doesn't have to include likable content or characters to be appreciated. So these stars are staying, however much anguish they cause me.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I always had a feeling I might like this book but I didn't know it would be for its originality and non-clichés, for being a breath of fresh air. I loved it for its unusual characters and the bizarre (love) story. But first and foremost, I fell in love with the uniquely beautiful prose and I cannot wait to read more by Garcia Marquez.
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
García Márquez voert je met zijn meanderende schrijfstijl mee door de liefde, het saaie alledaagse en het verlies. Prachtig geschreven, en dat met een heerlijk vleugje droge humor.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An absolute masterpiece of Latin American literature and literature in general. Exceptional in every aspect and perfectly showcases the genius of Gabriel García Márquez. The portrayal of obsessive love that spans decades is both beautiful and haunting. However, I was deeply disturbed by the relationship between the elderly protagonist and a 14-year-old girl. It’s definitely uncomfortable and problematic, though I understand it reflects a different historical context. Despite this troubling element, it remains a masterpiece and one of the best books I’ve ever read.