is the praise for this book excessive????
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Rather strangely perhaps i have to say right now that i have yet to finish this book, I've been reading a lot over the last few months, one after the other and then started this and faultered. It is declared on the cover of my copy as 'the best novel in any language of the last fifty years'. How anyone has the belief in their own opinion to say that i have no idea. The whole book, so far, seems to be written like an introducation, where you don't get to meet the characters, you are just told about them. So far actual dialogue seems to be a line per page on average and whilst i agree that it is imaginative and fantastic, it is in that respect rather like watching a carnival: One brightly coloured float after another after another after another. I nearly put this one down, but have continued although it is not because i cant put it down, rather i feel i shouldn't.
However it turns out for me i will i think find these extraordinary claims of its brilliance rather odd.
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spectacular but opaque
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The fantastical/magical story of the struggles of five proud generations of the Buendia family in a fictional small town deep in the interior of post-independence conflict-torn developing Columbia.
Very readable. The descriptions are rich. The episodes of drama are intense. The characters and events are striking but opaque. Just when it feels that someone or something could get very interesting, when it seems that you could really start getting some novel insight or understanding, the narrative moves on - there is over five generations of family history to cover.
At the end of a session of reading, it feels like waking after an epic dream, or a rainy afternoon watching obscure art house films. You never really enter into the psychologies any of the characters, and, out of a Latin American context, the allegories and historical resonances have no meaning. You are just left with a piece of sustained spectacular theatre.
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Practically a religion
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One of the most erotic and moving books I have ever read - a great poetic summary of the human condition. Rotations and cycles of blood and humour and sex and violence and the whys and the wherefores and the no whys and no wherefores. I kept having to put it down simply to take in the sheer genius of some passages. Deeply deeply brilliant.
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AH!!
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In short, this book is astounding. I'm so glad I read it. It is one of the most humerous books I've read. I think "magical realism" is a good term to use to describe this book. That doesn't mean that somehow your "containing" novel within a specific framework and lessening it's broad brushstrokes, but it's an effect which Marquez uses and it's VERY effective! A great read beside a warm fire on a cold night. Trust me - you'll LOVE it!
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My favourite book
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This is quite simply a beautiful novel. Although slightly difficult to follow (the Spanish names require concentration to remember who's who!) Marquez's writing style shines through and once again he has written a stunning piece of work. I agree with another review writer in that the book needs to be read in a relatively short space of time, as it is a complicated text with many different characters and storylines. However, it is this richness and depth, together with the incredible way Marquez writes, that makes this book so fantastically special. I have given this book to many friends as presents and they have all enjoyed it. If you are looking for a beautifully written book - for yourself or others - then here it is. Since reading this book a year ago it has remained my favourite!
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