One Hundred Years of Solitude (Oprah's Book Club) (Paperback)
Shop for it:
(added from 1 site)
Description:
I really, really wanted to like this book, and was surprised that, with so many people saying how difficult it was to keep the characters straight, I breezed through the first 300 pages. The similar names was not a complication...
See more »
I really, really wanted to like this book, and was surprised that, with so many people saying how difficult it was to keep the characters straight, I breezed through the first 300 pages. The similar names was not a complication for me, though I can understand this might be a hindrance for most readers. The story revolves around multiple generations of one family. Because of the scope - 6 generations - it is impossible for the reader to come to know any one of the family members well. And this left me feeling that I really didn't care about the characters. However, I did find the way Garcia Marquez incorporated magical-realism into the story to be enchanting and somehow had no difficulty in finding that hard to believe. However, the story began to fall apart for me during the last 150 pages or so. The writing seemed to become sloggish, and either I was tired of reading it or Garcia Marquez was was tired of writing it. (Perhaps just me) What had been stories that were magical, interesting, and easy to read, became mired in language that was difficult to understand and follow. Many times I read passages several times, only to wonder what it was the author was trying to say, exactly. A book should not be this hard to read. All is revealed in the final 2 - 3 pages, however. And even though it is an interesting finish, it seemed rushed to me - almost forced. It was as if Garcia Marquez had been writing and writing and needed to find a way to end all of this, so he just devised something. It works, sort of, I guess. This book will appeal to some, but will be despised by most. It's just the way it is. I'm glad I read it, but it won't be among the best I've read. I didn't pick up any deep seated messages. I guess I'm just obtuse that way. If you consider yourself a "deep" reader, and willing to give yourself over to difficult challenges, you may wish to try this. Otherwise, don't frustrate yourself. While this is a fun adventure in magical-realism, reading is suppose to be fun. Comment | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)
See less »
Highlights:
226 used & new available from $1.70
Tags:
Buy itamazon.com
Added by 1 people