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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
I wondered how to rate this book... I am still not sure if I should leave my 3 stars.
Memories of My Melacholy Whores is my introduction to Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I was recommended to read One Hundred Years of Solitude many years ago so when I saw this novella at my local library, I had to pick it.
The story is problematic and sometimes I wanted to scream at the representation of virgins versus whores. I pushed through the first chapter and I was scared of reading only the meditations of a mediocre old man facing his mortality (which is not the case thankfully). I am glad I kept reading. I cannot deny Marquez' talent and I want to discover his other works.
Nevertheless I have to admit this story was not for me. Maybe I need to learn more about Marquez and immerse myself in his literary world to truly appreciate Memories of My Melancholy Whores.
Memories of My Melacholy Whores is my introduction to Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I was recommended to read One Hundred Years of Solitude many years ago so when I saw this novella at my local library, I had to pick it.
The story is problematic and sometimes I wanted to scream at the representation of virgins versus whores. I pushed through the first chapter and I was scared of reading only the meditations of a mediocre old man facing his mortality (which is not the case thankfully). I am glad I kept reading. I cannot deny Marquez' talent and I want to discover his other works.
Nevertheless I have to admit this story was not for me. Maybe I need to learn more about Marquez and immerse myself in his literary world to truly appreciate Memories of My Melancholy Whores.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia
A disturbing yet beautiful story. Marquez' writing is so often lyrical and transporting, yet punctuated by moments of earthiness that keep it from being disconnected from reality. In this novel, its also a fitting reflection of the protagonist's discovery of the ethereal and timeless nature of love even as he reflects on the very earthly and time-bound nature of aging.
It took a while for me to pick up what was going on in this book. This book definitely put me outside of my comfort zone and yet I was able to appreciate it for what it was....fiction.
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
писана е, като че ли, от човек, когото познавам...
Докато четях книгата се чудех защо хората масово я оценяват така високо. Четох я бавно, защото ме потискаха тишината и безнадежността й. Не харесвах главния герой. Не можех да се асоциирам нито с него, нито с жените, за които разказва. И точно тук беше момента, в който осъзнах, че не винаги сюжета прави книгата близка и въздействаща. Понякога автора е добър в това да те накара да почувстваш носталгия по места, на които не си бил; да ти липсват определени залези, които не си изживявал и аромати, които не помниш. Да се усетиш безнадежден и сам.
Докато четях книгата се чудех защо хората масово я оценяват така високо. Четох я бавно, защото ме потискаха тишината и безнадежността й. Не харесвах главния герой. Не можех да се асоциирам нито с него, нито с жените, за които разказва. И точно тук беше момента, в който осъзнах, че не винаги сюжета прави книгата близка и въздействаща. Понякога автора е добър в това да те накара да почувстваш носталгия по места, на които не си бил; да ти липсват определени залези, които не си изживявал и аромати, които не помниш. Да се усетиш безнадежден и сам.
"It was impossible not to open my heart to her, and so I told her the complete story burning deep inside me...She listened to me unburden myself as if she were living through it herself, pondered it without haste, and at last she smiled. 'Do whatever you want, but don't lose that girl,' she said, 'There's no greater misfortune than dying alone.'"
Ik dacht dat het niet mis kon met Márquez, maar ik vond niets aan dit werk om van te genieten. Noch deed het enige andere emotie opwekken, dan misschien afkeer. Ik ben me ervan bewust dat ik een poëtische boodschap gemist heb, maar ik vond het niet kunnen 'm te begrijpen – ik heb er dus maar geen moeite voor gedaan. Dit boek gaat over een – terecht en verdient – droevige oude man die hunkert naar een pedofiele relatie met een meisje dat speciaal voor hem uit de textielfabriek bij het bordeel wordt ingelijfd. Neen bedankt.
With echoes of Sleeping Beauty and The Fountain of Youth, Márquez’s final novella is a moving meditation—like a fairytale—on age and beauty.
But be warned, looking at this through the fantastical lens of magical realism is key: on a literal level, the content of this book is unacceptable.
But be warned, looking at this through the fantastical lens of magical realism is key: on a literal level, the content of this book is unacceptable.
this is the story of a ninety year-old colombian journalist dealing with the consequences of a life lived without love and the reality of death. though the novel explores such themes, it avoids sentimentality; an astute piece