tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post2299686975095127613..comments2024-03-28T05:11:15.109-04:00Comments on Avid Reader's Musings: One Hundred Years of SolitudeMelissa (Avid Reader)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-35199119099750151462021-02-19T10:23:24.450-05:002021-02-19T10:23:24.450-05:00This is my third time trying to Cien Años de Soled...This is my third time trying to Cien Años de Soledad, and still as confusing as the first time I read it in high school, but now I am reading it as a challenge to myself. This classic book is not for everyone and the brave ones that read it, never fully understand it. As some of you mentioned this a book with magical realism, incestuous relationships, lust, gluttony, barbarism, love, hate and even a tad of dark and mythical power. At times, I could relate to this book more when they mentioned the foreigners and the banana fields and how they were there to exploit the people of Macondo. My grandparents used to tell us about this real horror they lived thru at that time, the harsh living and working for the foreign companies at the banana fields, it also reminded me of the book Prision Verde (Green Prison) about the banana fields in Honduras and the exploitation of the local folks by the foreign companies. Anyway, I guess we all can agree that this is a classic book by Garcia Marquez and that it is not for everyone’s liking..YessieChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02990478786756192371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-5195603134563150772015-01-19T10:34:05.138-05:002015-01-19T10:34:05.138-05:00Joseph - How interesting, I'd never heard this...Joseph - How interesting, I'd never heard this one compared to Don Quixote. I also liked the back and forth of the twins. I haven't read too much magical realism, so this one was out of my comfort zone, but it's good to challenge yourself that way. Melissa (Avid Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-17777468724397160782015-01-16T18:48:12.486-05:002015-01-16T18:48:12.486-05:00Yes...it's a bit...hard to characterize isn...Yes...it's a bit...hard to characterize isn't it. My favorite aspect was the names (though also confusing), and the fatalist theme they presented. I especially liked the twins, who Ursula though switched places...and then they were buried in the other's grave...probably setting things right. <br />My own review: http://100greatestnovelsofalltimequest.blogspot.com/2015/01/one-hundred-years-of-solitude-by.htmlJosephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00466108789532345790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-14901605733358093542014-03-18T22:45:06.012-04:002014-03-18T22:45:06.012-04:00Roof Beam Reader - I think maybe I need to try so...Roof Beam Reader - I think maybe I need to try some of his short work next. Melissa (Avid Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-51333952058775239852014-03-15T14:46:43.462-04:002014-03-15T14:46:43.462-04:00Huh. I've only read his Memoirs of my Melancho...Huh. I've only read his Memoirs of my Melancholy Whores, which I loved; but it was very short, and I can see how a much longer work, in the same style, might be a bit much. I still need (and plan) to read this one, someday, but it sounds like a lazy summer kind of read - where there's plenty of time to just sit with it and digest it slowly. Alas, I don't have that kind of summer in my future this year. Lol Roof Beam Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06792884580084363046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-47488082613341191202014-03-10T10:36:44.958-04:002014-03-10T10:36:44.958-04:00Sandy - I know! I hate the feeling that I'm ju...Sandy - I know! I hate the feeling that I'm just not getting it. <br /><br />JoAnn - Ha, I didn't even realize it was his birthday! Perfect timeing! <br /><br />Kat - You absolutely should! It's a classic for a reason and even if I didn't love it, I'm glad to have a better understanding of his work. It really is unique. <br /><br />Rebecca - I'm glad I finally read it. It was on my list for so long! <br /><br />Riv - It was your review that encouraged me to finally tackle it! Such a great look at the book since your opinion of it had changed. <br /><br />Brooke - I think that if I try one of his again it won't be for a long time. <br /><br />Laura - We all have those authors and I think he's one of mine as well. <br /><br />Lit Major - I may have to try one of the novellas next. Thanks for the recommendation! <br /><br />o - I think he just might not be a good fit for everyone. <br /><br />bkclubcare - John Updike and John Irving are seriously so much alike! Once I confused Henry James and Henry Miller - so different! <br /><br />Captain - Wow, glad I'm not alone. Melissa (Avid Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-6191584552168423082014-03-09T13:38:38.349-04:002014-03-09T13:38:38.349-04:00After reading Love in the Time of Cholera I vowed ...After reading Love in the Time of Cholera I vowed to never read another by him!Captain Nick Sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12668840981814071637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-57487376305675279242014-03-09T10:54:11.996-04:002014-03-09T10:54:11.996-04:00I probably should check but I *think* this is a bo...I probably should check but I *think* this is a book I abandoned many years ago after just not getting it - not too many pages in. I know something turned me off to this author but I do wonder if I have the right title in mind. I have been known to confuse authors in my head and find out years later how wrong I've been! (example - confusing John Irving with John Updike.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-21253293625041806612014-03-08T20:20:19.206-05:002014-03-08T20:20:19.206-05:00I've struggled with Márquez - I think you did ...I've struggled with Márquez - I think you did better than I did! :)ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01245931629228090133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-10154647132421105842014-03-06T18:46:37.541-05:002014-03-06T18:46:37.541-05:00I really love Marquez, but I agree that One Hundre...I really love Marquez, but I agree that One Hundred Years of Solitude is difficult to get through. I personally prefer his novellas. No-One Writes to the Colonel and Of Love and Other Demons are excellent stories. I'm glad you've decided not to give up on Marquez entirely; he is an excellent writer and his novels aren't necessarily supposed to be easy reads, but they are beautiful and well worth the effort. :)Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11394410016010195703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-8918708459805518882014-03-06T17:34:55.373-05:002014-03-06T17:34:55.373-05:00I own this, and I'm kind of worried about read...I own this, and I'm kind of worried about reading it because I feel like I'm going to feel the same way as you about it. I don't think it's a magical realism thing (I love Salman Rushdie and Murakami) but a Marquez thing- I read Love in the Time of Cholera and I couldn't get into it AT ALL. Just, no. I think he might just be one of those authors I don't get at all.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17371636785566309578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-14783284971404584292014-03-06T14:55:52.216-05:002014-03-06T14:55:52.216-05:00Marquez terrifies me. I have a couple of his novel...Marquez terrifies me. I have a couple of his novels on my classics club list and keep putting them off. I'm convinced I they are too big for my somewhat tiny brain.Brookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474997114568231162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-13421691392838929452014-03-06T12:14:23.554-05:002014-03-06T12:14:23.554-05:00I think you are absolutely right when saying that ...I think you are absolutely right when saying that this genre isn't everyone's cup of tea. I personally have two completely different reading experiences with this book. The first read in high school basically left me with big question-mark shaped "WTF" on my face. However, I decided to give the book another go last spring, as I bravely added it to my Classics Club list, and lo and behold, it was a very enjoyable experience.<br /><br />One of the factors might have been that I have read quite a bit of magical realism between now and high school (10+ years). I feel it takes getting into a certain mindset to enjoy it, and to be able to not ask realistic questions all the time. The language in this book is so beautiful (and I read it in Estonian, not English), and overall this book cemented my belief that re-reads are sometimes worth it. <br /><br />But yes, it's one of those books that people seem to either love or hate, and I have experienced both of those :) Rivhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04561804353287763337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-23999226605882491822014-03-06T11:37:34.096-05:002014-03-06T11:37:34.096-05:00This one has been on my reading list for a long ti...This one has been on my reading list for a long time as well but I never have been motivated to begin. It is still one of those books I hope to get to one day but I think I will need to really commit to it to finish. Great review. Thanks for sharing!<br />Happy Reading,<br />Rebecca @ The Key to the GateRebecca @ The Key to the Gatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04126949754078572194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-11718661681753956722014-03-06T09:37:16.030-05:002014-03-06T09:37:16.030-05:00I bought this book because I usually like magical ...I bought this book because I usually like magical realism. Still, it daunts me and has remained unread on my shelves.<br /><br />Even though you didn't love it - I still want to give Marquez a try.<br /><br />Great review!Kat @ NoPageLeftBehindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09255578898082061820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-54272222877663129212014-03-06T08:15:09.180-05:002014-03-06T08:15:09.180-05:00What a perfectly timed review - I just saw on Writ...What a perfectly timed review - I just saw on Writer's Almanac that today (3/6) is GGM's birthday! I've tried to read this book at least a couple of times and never seem to make it beyond page 50. Think I just don't get magical realism. I did make it through Love in the Time of Cholera, but it was just ok for me...JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-63228130692949997562014-03-06T06:19:39.350-05:002014-03-06T06:19:39.350-05:00I tried reading Love in the Time of Cholera and di...I tried reading Love in the Time of Cholera and didn't make it far either. Sometimes beautiful writing just isn't enough...I need just a LITTLE bit of plot and some kind of compelling premise. I'll definitely pass on this one. (Sometimes I get so disheartened when I hear that a book is "one of the best in modern literature" and totally don't get it.)Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.com