Reviews

"Entonces empezó el viento, tibio, incipiente, lleno de voces del pasado, de murmullos de geranios antiguos, de suspiros de desengaños anteriores a las nostalgias mas tenaces"

Mi segunda vez leyendo este libro, en un período de tiempo mas prolongado que en mi primera lectura, me reafirma mi adoración por este libro. Me deja en claro, además, que en el momento de abrir sus páginas y comenzar a leer, Gabo me atrapa con sus palabras y me lleva a Macondo sin importar si el ambiente a mi alrededor sea propicio para transportarme.

bluereen's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

"The need to feel sad was becoming a vice as the years eroded her. She became human in her solitude."

"He really had been through death, but he had returned because he could not bear the solitude."

***

Finally got around to reading this great classic! Partial credit goes to my PI 100 prof who lowkey raved about the book. At first, it was a tough read. Marquez's worldbuilding infused with imagery and magical realism was definitely unlike anything I've read before (not that I have much experience). Also, that darn Buendía family tree with all the same names! But it got easier to distinguish them eventually...

I wouldn't call this a favorite of mine because I'm not sure if I've grasped the novel well enough in its entirety—but my takeaway is how every Buendía member is extremely lonely. Case in point: it's impossible to count the number of times "solitude" is inscribed in the text. Nevertheless, it doesn't come off as redundant because the way Marquez describes each member's experience with solitude feels so intimate and unique.

The book is a thorough examination on the rise and fall of the Buendía family; I just know I'll be thinking about the ending for a long time. What an epic way to wrap up this cult masterpiece.

niffigs's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

alisarae's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I had a lot of problems getting started, and had to let go of the desire for a plot in the normal sense of the word. But once I got past that, I thought it was lovely.

See my full review: One Hundred Years of Solitude: Does anyone else have trouble remembering what it is about?

jackmchenry's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

janey's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I love this book, and I love the musicality of the language so, in a way, listening to it as an audiobook was lovely. However, I think it's harder to keep the names straight listening to it, so I wouldn't recommend audiobook as the first read.

lydia02's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

More...