I was in class, at the computer scanning documents for a project when the news flashed across my phone's screen. I was instantly saddened. I managed to block out the annoying voice of this other student to privately reflect on this literary giant and how much his literature means to me and to the world at large.
I've only read two novels by this literary giant--Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude, but I was completely transported by his way of weaving together a story. He created such deep characters in Love in the Time of Cholera and told such an incredible family saga in One Hundred Years of Solitude. His sense of setting that came alive in his novels was truly magical and transported the reader right into the story. Cholera taught me about a love that can last half a lifetime of separation and the true beauty and reality of love. Solitude taught me about the tangled web of family and was thoroughly entertaining (and I need to read it again immediately!).
I've read bits of his biography. It sounds like he lived quite a life and met some characters that influenced and appeared in his writing. His fellow countrymen affectionately called him "Gabo." What a fantastic nickname!
I am so glad that I am going by my parents' house today so I can grab copies of some of his other books and read them soon!
Here is a link to his obituary in the New York Times, in case you are interested.
Have you read anything by Garcia Marquez? What did you think?
Hi! Have you read Chronicle of a Death Foretold? So, so good. And this book is not very long, people usually read it in just one day :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, I read it via email subscription. Best regards from Barcelona,
Marta
I was first introduced to Garcia-Marquez in a World Lit class as an undergrad several years ago. We read One Hundred Years of Solitude and I was an immediate fan of this amazing writer. Since that time I have read a few of his other novels and several short stories. I am constantly in awe of his ability to transport his reader. He is definitely a writer that will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteHi. I when went to 1 bat ( It is say nexto to last, last to university) a book to him. "Una muerte anunciada" I like.
ReplyDeletekisseeessss
I've read the same two books you have, and absolutely adored them. At first, I had no idea what I was reading, but I quickly grew to love Marquez's way with words and the way he creates worlds. His death means a giant is lost from the literary world.
ReplyDeleteSarah
I have read three of his books: Chronicle of a Death Foretold, One Hundred Years of Solitude, and Of Love and Other Demons. He is an author who grows on you. If you are interested here's a post I did on him:
ReplyDeletehttp://inkquilletc.blogspot.com/2014/04/throwback-thursday-remembering-marquez.html
Memories of My Melancholy Whores - that's the first and only book I've read by Marquez. I was a little bit apprehensive when I heard of the book's title but all my assumptions were wrong when I began reading it.
ReplyDeleteIt's also thanks to my English Lit class that I got to know about Marquez's books. I'm looking forward to reading more of his works, especially One Hundred Years of Solitude.
I've read some of his short stories in high school and I think I was too young to truly appreciate them. I want to read 100 Years of Solitude in Spanish but I know it will be really difficult.
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