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marinaferrari's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
eu amei o livro, mas odiei a história.
zaxtreme's review against another edition
2.0
I read this as part of a book discussion with my mom and some of her friends. Also, reading this allowed me to further my goal of reading all of the books I skipped in college.
I didn't really like it. The more I read, the more it grew on me. But I never really got to the point where I was enjoying myself. 2.5 stars is really what I want to give it. I just didn't care about the characters at all. I don't doubt that Marquez is a talented writer...reading this just felt like a chore.
I didn't really like it. The more I read, the more it grew on me. But I never really got to the point where I was enjoying myself. 2.5 stars is really what I want to give it. I just didn't care about the characters at all. I don't doubt that Marquez is a talented writer...reading this just felt like a chore.
rosiefpb's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book, and I kind of did by the end, but there was a lot I didn't like too. It confused me how it changed narrative after building it up to be a story about the Doctor, and I didn't really like any of the characters that much. I'm not convinced it's the 'greatest love story ever told' or whatever the hype is surrounding it, since neither of them seemed to love each other that much in a normal, non-obsessive way. Yes, it was very well written, but it was pretty dense too, and the love story was kind of cheapened by all the sex along the way. 5/10
karla_grullart's review against another edition
I tried, I really did, but between the never ending love letters and the vibe of waiting forever, I couldn’t finish it. Like, Florentino had time to built a personality while waiting for love, and I don’t even have time to wait for a text back. It’s giving slow-burn, but way too slow.
Also, the whole ‘I’ll wait for you forever’ thing kinda hit different in a bad way— it’s romantic for like two minutes, then it feels like he’s emotionally spiraling. And Fermina? Sis had her own life, got married, moved on, and Florentino just stayed in his feelings the entire time. I need a plot with more going on, not just endless longing and questionable life choices. It’s giving major emotional drama, but not in the fun way.
Look, I know it’s a classic, and I can appreciate that it’s beautifully written. The prose is amazing, and I totally get why it’s beloved by so many. But sometimes, a book just isn’t for you—and this one wasn’t for me.
Also, the whole ‘I’ll wait for you forever’ thing kinda hit different in a bad way— it’s romantic for like two minutes, then it feels like he’s emotionally spiraling. And Fermina? Sis had her own life, got married, moved on, and Florentino just stayed in his feelings the entire time. I need a plot with more going on, not just endless longing and questionable life choices. It’s giving major emotional drama, but not in the fun way.
Look, I know it’s a classic, and I can appreciate that it’s beautifully written. The prose is amazing, and I totally get why it’s beloved by so many. But sometimes, a book just isn’t for you—and this one wasn’t for me.
yosoyaisha's review against another edition
4.0
Es increíble la forma tan poderosa que Gabriel Garcia Marquez tiene de llevarte a su mundo, a su Colombia, a su gente. No puedes evitar sentirte que vives allí y que eres parte de la historia. Y los personajes tan pintorescos y complejos como la vida misma.
cjk424's review against another edition
3.0
I was expecting myself to like this book more, but for some reason, I didn't. It was beautifully written, but I thought it was a bit too murky at times. I realize his intent was to get caught up in the intoxication of Florentino's passion, but it just didn't "click" with me.
litsinium's review against another edition
5.0
I think this book was too creepy to consider it romantic, but I did love the vibe and the ending really did make the book for me.
motionless7's review against another edition
2.0
*I rambled alot but I needed to vent some of it out it was eating me inside.
I enjoyed the themes of the book dealing with unrequited love, gender roles, aging, moving on, and even the history as the story progresses but I couldn't wrap myself to support any of the main characterss in the story. Florentinos character went downhill after Ferminas marriage and while I understand why he went through those stages in his life, I couldn't stay interested enough but that's just me. Fermina spent the majority of her life either content or enraged at the way things turned out with her marriage to Urbino for good/bad reasoning. Fermina never wanted this marriage and although her reasons for marrying where never properly explained, it felt like she did it because of her father admitting he was going broke. Still Fermina was in the same rut of emotions while her husband has two alleged affairs even though he was the one pursuing Fermina and putting her in this state. While I understand times were different, I couldn't stomach reading about Florentinos sexual persuit of a 14 year old under his care and knowing the massive age difference. Then to have her character killed off because of the depression she suffered from Florentino distancing himself from her and doing nothing with that but have Florentino cry about it in a bathroom left a sour taste. The author could've done more with this situation because it feels completely unnecessary in the grand scheme of things of the plot. Florentino and Fermina are then on a neverending boat ride where they discover how age has affected their livelihoods and to me it felt like a euphemism of them finally at peace in some paradise living their lives in love with one another. Overall it was the same cycle of love & infidelity for the past 50 years throughout the book and the ending felt like a dud.
I enjoyed the themes of the book dealing with unrequited love, gender roles, aging, moving on, and even the history as the story progresses but I couldn't wrap myself to support any of the main characterss in the story. Florentinos character went downhill after Ferminas marriage and while I understand why he went through those stages in his life, I couldn't stay interested enough but that's just me. Fermina spent the majority of her life either content or enraged at the way things turned out with her marriage to Urbino for good/bad reasoning. Fermina never wanted this marriage and although her reasons for marrying where never properly explained, it felt like she did it because of her father admitting he was going broke. Still Fermina was in the same rut of emotions while her husband has two alleged affairs even though he was the one pursuing Fermina and putting her in this state. While I understand times were different, I couldn't stomach reading about Florentinos sexual persuit of a 14 year old under his care and knowing the massive age difference. Then to have her character killed off because of the depression she suffered from Florentino distancing himself from her and doing nothing with that but have Florentino cry about it in a bathroom left a sour taste. The author could've done more with this situation because it feels completely unnecessary in the grand scheme of things of the plot. Florentino and Fermina are then on a neverending boat ride where they discover how age has affected their livelihoods and to me it felt like a euphemism of them finally at peace in some paradise living their lives in love with one another. Overall it was the same cycle of love & infidelity for the past 50 years throughout the book and the ending felt like a dud.
erinkolb's review against another edition
1.0
This book was incredibly painful to read. I didn't enjoy the story, the characters, the rambling writing. Maybe I wasn't in the mood for a "love" story. I didn't read "love" I read: I'm crazy, obsessed and a somewhat of a stalker. Florentio Ariza gave me the willies. The only part I liked about the book was the use of the character's full name throughout :)