Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez
First Published: 1988 (English edition)
This is the first book from this author read by me, the language is so vivid and eloquent. My favourite aspect is the prose, whether to describe locations, settings, objects or characters that practically jump off the page.
The love story itself is stodgy except towards the end of the novel after Dr. Urbino dies, and the eighty year old Fermina Daza is pursued again by the obsessed Florentino Ariza. The second act of the love story really is beautiful, tender and poignant, everything one would imagine true love to be.
Having said that the beginning of the novel though hardly romantic, Florentino resembles a stalker rather than a dashing hero, it is thoroughly engaging. Feel sympathetic towards Florentino not because of his unrequited feelings for Fermina, but rather because of how he deceives and denies himself the truth, moving on from one physical relationship to the next never allowing himself to acknowledge emotional attachment.
Dr. Urbino frankly found to be irritating, Fermina however was very likeable, the relationship quirks between the two quite funny for example the long running quarrel over sleeping habits, and the poisonous eggplant. The accident with the parrot funny and fatally sad at the same time. So many other wonderful, very much larger than life characters such as Lorenzo Daza, cousin Hildebrande, Transito Arizo, Uncle Leo, the Captain, and the long list of unique mistresses.
This is a really enjoyable 348 page novel, to be read atleast once and then many times again.
3 Comments
October 26, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Just happened to stumble upon your blog. Must say, I really like your book reviews.
I am currently in the midst of reading “Love in…” and was unable to get into it fully. Your review makes me want to continue further into the book!
November 13, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Thankyou Nish, this book is worth reading you won’t be disappointed.
- Barkha.
November 16, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I finally did finish it…like you, I found the second half better.
If you are interested, you can read my review here:
http://nishitak.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/love-in-the-time-of-cholera-a-book-review/