One of my all time favorite books. I read it in Spanish. Took me three years, but it was worth it. Loved the first of the autobiographical triology, too.
Was at a Christmas party discussing what we were reading, and my girlfriend and I mentioned that we were planning on reading either One Hundred Years or another book as our next book together. Was truly surprised by the disdain it provoked from the people we were talking to! One, an English prof., said she loves his poetry but didn't care for 100 Years, the other two, one a writer, gave similar opinions, the writer saying that he had written another book that he loved, but that he didn't think much of 100 years either. Quite bizarre, although I am happy that I heard their opinions too, so I will not have excessive expectations when I do get down to reading it.
"If it were beneficial, their father would produce children already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true circumcision in spirit has become profitable in every respect." -Jesus, from the Gospel Of Thomas
I certainly don't want you to be disappointed, but it sounds to me like a kind of reverse-reaction. "Solitude" is now a classic and can get bashed as overrated. When I read it the first time it had only just been translated into English a few years earlier. It certainly blew my mind and may have had as much an impact on shaping the way I see the world as almost anything. Of course, I was a teenager at the time, but rereading it still sends shivers across my spine. Damn, there I go, overhyping it again! My wife DOES want to read it in Spanish since she's only read it in English as of yet.
Happy to see you back, Smenkharon!
"Naked Woman, Naked Man Where did you get that nice sun tan?"
Posts: 12874 | Location: Behind the Orange Curtain | Registered: 14 May 2004
One Hundred Years of Solitudeis a great book, but I don't think it is García Márquez's best. Another little novel, Crónica de una muerte anunciada (Chronicle of a Death Foretold) is.
In an unusual way this book reminds me of the "Ordinary People," except for this setting is in a small Colombian town. The book covers topics such as civil war, plagues, and social oppresion.
I highly recommend that you read this book no more than 20-30 pages at a time as there is quite a bit of material to digest. Also, be patient as the book does not immediately get you involved.
...and The Autumn of the Patriarch has possibly the longest opening sentence I've ever read,( save Billy Bathgate), if I remember correctly. It has been about 15 yrs since I read it.
'for my purpose holds to sail beyond the sunset, and the baths of all the western stars, until I die.'
Posts: 2196 | Location: The ever silent spaces of the East | Registered: 12 February 2007
Originally posted by Ishmaelscoffin: ...and The Autumn of the Patriarch has possibly the longest opening sentence I've ever read,( save Billy Bathgate), if I remember correctly. It has been about 15 yrs since I read it.
I checked my copy. You are remembering correctly. Something by Jose Saramago might rival it, but I'm not sure.
I love the opening of Of Love and Other Demons. So atmospheric.
Posts: 227 | Location: On the top of the hill, in the warmth of the sun | Registered: 02 March 2007
Originally posted by Ishmaels coffin: ...and The Autumn of the Patriarch has possibly the longest opening sentence I've ever read,( save Billy Bathgate), if I remember correctly. It has been about 15 yrs since I read it.
If memory serves, the last 60 pages only contain about 5 sentences.
100 YOS is good. I read it in Spanish shortly after it came out (yes, I am a wanker ) and loved his style. Not his best, but good.
+++++++++++++++++ Nalgaphobia: the irrational fear of prosthetic buttocks.
Posts: 2074 | Location: Vinylville | Registered: 24 September 2006
Even though it has been many years that I read this book, I liked is so much that I cannot think about it without smiling and feeling a warmth in my gut. The ending was superb and the whole book read sweetly.
I know that I've said it before, but just reading the final paragraph (all two-plus pages) gives me goosebumps everytime. I keep expecting it not to lead to the most-perfectly worded passage in literature, and since I'm illiterate, I'm always wrong.
"Naked Woman, Naked Man Where did you get that nice sun tan?"
Posts: 12874 | Location: Behind the Orange Curtain | Registered: 14 May 2004
) and loved his style. Not his best, but good.
