Book Title: One Hundred Years of Solitude

Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars

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A Bird’s Eye View

About the Storyteller:

Marquez’s way of telling a story is unique and sometimes bordering near being surreal. But then, I felt that the specific story needed that treatment for the story to blossom into an art form. The various generations that the story passes before it kind of makes a specific aspect almost a familial habit across centuries.

Somehow, I felt the story was sweetness personified, but yet, there were some bitter bits of dark chocolate in it. The story felt like an emotion wringer working overtime. Yet, in it’s even pacing, one could enjoy the finer details that were etched into the story.

The Story in a Nutshell

The story is about Buendias family and the town of Macondo. How both of them are closely related and how changes bring about some really drastic outcomes for the town and its people. The centuries that the narrative traverses to bring together the story of the town and the Buendias.

The plot is set, in such a way, that it comes a full circle within the span of many centuries. The sands of time flow with each Buendias generation carrying on the traits of José Arcadio Buendía. The peaceful Macondo goes through the various stages of peace, violence, civil unrest and eventually overcome with a natural calamity.

In the end, when the town and the family come to a full circle of getting back to square one and almost replicating the first chapter with sadder tone. There is this sense of having come a full circle of emotional upheaval and watching the life move on despite the hardship undergone.

Review

My Likes and Dislikes

I like the characters which were beautifully done with great care given to the details. I felt the characters were created with the right effect and emotional angle for the right progress of the plot. There were moments when we become invested in the characters’ joy and sorrow, that it is close to being connected with them.

My dislike was the fact that the story kept at it in a circular fashion. Almost that, it is like being in a state of a circle of life. The cyclic pattern tends to be tedious to read. Though each generation of Buendias, men, and women created an impact on my mind which left an indelible mark of fascination in me.

My Opinion

I felt that the story was a little stretched, but the beauty of the narration was unparalleled. I love the scenes that had a new innovation or a new gadget being introduced. I was equally excited as José, the patriarch of the family of Buendias.

Image Source: Cover Page