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arimayo's review against another edition
5.0
My feelings about this book are mixed to say the least. Did I enjoy it? I think so. Would I recommend it to anyone? Probably not. Is it my favorite book? No. Did I like it? I don’t think so? Maybe, but I don’t think I want to have liked this book.
I’m giving it 5 stars because it’s undeniably well written and one of the best pieces of true literature I have ever read. However, I feel like it’s truly un-rate-able. The incest! The pedophilia! The incest! The weird sexual faux pas that EVERY CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK committed. The way sex and love are portrayed in this book is terribly hard to understand through contemporary sensibilities. Remedios the Beauty is the only sinless character in the book… but that’s only because she’s too obtuse to do anything but dilly dally
I’m giving it 5 stars because it’s undeniably well written and one of the best pieces of true literature I have ever read. However, I feel like it’s truly un-rate-able. The incest! The pedophilia! The incest! The weird sexual faux pas that EVERY CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK committed. The way sex and love are portrayed in this book is terribly hard to understand through contemporary sensibilities. Remedios the Beauty is the only sinless character in the book… but that’s only because she’s too obtuse to do anything but dilly dally
charlietuna92's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those classics that I kept meaning to read. It’s a multigenerational story of love, fear, revenge, and loss. Worth the read, but not my favorite of Marquez’s work.
booksmml29's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
_marygarlic's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jmarmar's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nyaski's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
bespectacled's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
daniealexa_c_s's review against another edition
5.0
"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.
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
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.
"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.