
One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the story of the rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of the Buendía family. The novel is inventive, amusing, magnetic, sad, and alive with unforgettable characters brimming with truth, compassion, and lyrical magic that strikes the soul. The book is a masterpiece in the art of fiction, weaving together mystical stories and dozens of colorful and crazy characters into a twisted and tangled family history.
The book is written in a unique style with dense and beautiful prose, where the author can change the direction of the story in a few words. It explores the theme of history repeating itself over generations of a family, using rich literary devices like repeating character names with slight variations through each generation. The narrative seamlessly slips back and forth between reality and fantasy, creating an immersive and thought-provoking reading experience.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The novel contains themes of incest, sexual violence, and harsh portrayals of death and suffering, which may be triggering for some readers.
Has Romance?
Romantic relationships are central to the narrative, though they often lead to tragedy or are tainted by issues of incest and unfulfilled desires.
From The Publisher:
"One Hundred Years of Solitude is the first piece of literature since the Book of Genesis that should be required reading for the entire human race. . . . Mr. Garcia Marquez has done nothing less than to create in the reader a sense of all that is profound, meaningful, and meaningless in life." -William Kennedy, New York Times Book Review
One of the most influential literary works of our time, One Hundred Years of Solitude remains a dazzling and original achievement by the masterful Gabriel Garcia Marquez, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.
One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the story of the rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of the Buendiá family. Inventive, amusing, magnetic, sad and alive with unforgettable men and women-brimming with truth, compassion, and a lyrical magic that strikes the soul-this novel is a masterpiece in the art of fiction.
Ratings (336)
Incredible (90) | |
Loved It (111) | |
Liked It (61) | |
It Was OK (31) | |
Did Not Like (31) | |
Hated It (12) |
Reader Stats (795):
Read It (329) | |
Currently Reading (11) | |
Want To Read (347) | |
Did Not Finish (28) | |
Not Interested (80) |
16 comment(s)
Characters: 1
Atmosphere: 10
Writing:10
Plot: 0
Intrigue:1
Logic: 4
Enjoyment:0
3.71 = 2 Stars
Alright, I've made two separate attempts to make it through this book and both times have failed, so I am giving up for awhile and moving on. I would like to finish it someday, but can't do it right now. While I appreciate the trippy dream-like bizarre scenarios so vividly created through intense imagery, plot and character-wise the book is too fragmented & strange for me to follow through and keep track of even what is happening.
Extremely bland! Nothing engaging Reading isn't much of a chore it's rather easy and accessible prose but the Repetition of the Names is just confusing affects the reading and understanding of the plot. (We'll that's if there was a plot!) The thing is something happens over the 422 pages of the book but nothing of substance. It's an empty book meaning although filled with words, it conveys nothing. It isn't grounded nor serves any purpose. I think many mistake the confusing part of the book cause it's a horrible book with as "deep". It ain't that deep it's just a horrible book.
Favorite book. Incredible world building, entertaining, beautiful prose. THE defining magic realism story
Family saga
Reflection on fate and choices
Cursed cycle
Complex character relationships
Complicated family dynamics
Name confusion
Incestuous themes
Fascination despite discomfort
Strange allure
Not a preferred genre
Imagination Rich prose suspense and beauty. Arguably the greatest book written since world war II.
Amazing use of time and metaphor in the story. It has been a while, decades ago, that I read One Hundred Years of Solitude. I was in the military on a ship. I lay in my bunk and read all of García Márquez's books. I had plenty of time, so I took my time reading, resting, and reflecting on his use of metaphors, time, and allegory—hidden meanings, political influences, and myths that can become real. When I finished my four-year duty tour and went to college on the G.I bill. I began studying literature.
Some readers may be thrown off by the novel's heavy reliance on symbolism. It's not an easy read, but it's well worth the effort. Simply said, this book is poetry. It's a work of beauty and brilliance. As a writer, he has undeniably made his stamp on history.
It took me over two months to read the book from start to end. When compared to other books I've read, this one stands out because of its out-of-the-ordinary characters and the constant occurrence of supernatural/magical happenings. It's essentially a story about a family. It was a pleasure to read this.
I found the plot to be intriguing, and the story captivated me, and I found it engaging and full of fantastic elements. Macondo, the fictional town, and the rise and fall of the Buendia family and all of its colorful inhabitants.
About the Author:
Gabriel García Márquez was born in 1927 near Aracataca, Colombia. He is the author of One Hundred Years of Solitude, Love in the Time of Cholera, and Living to Tell the Tale, among other works of fiction and non-fiction. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982. He lives in Mexico City.
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