One Hundred Years of Solitude

“time was not passing...it was turning in a circle...” ― Gabriel García Márquez

It was certainly an experience to read this family saga, but it wasn't easy. Garcia Marquez packs tons of occurrences into one paragraph, so blink and you might miss something. It's not a book for skimmers or for anyone looking for a quick read. It's challenging.

The book goes through multiple generations of characters with the same or similar names: Jose Arcacio, Auraliano, Remedios, etc. Some of the characters are very long-lived and it's hard to tell at times which character is featured in a particular event in a story. Since “passing of time” is one of the themes of the book, I'm guessing this was as intended. You become disoriented as to where you are in the family history. (There was a handy family tree in the front of my copy though!)

The other unique thing is the plot; it's not one long through-line, but rather a lot of mini stories spread throughout the book. I especially enjoyed the tale of Remedios the Beauty and her ascension into the sky and the sad love story of Renata Remedios and Mauricio. If there is a overarching story, it is the fall of the town and the demise of the Buendia family, which are intertwined. They succumb to fate, which is another theme.

I'm guessing a thorough knowledge of Latin American history would enhance reading the book. This is something I don't have but I still found it engaging. Garcia Marquez passes through events so quickly and you don't get a chance to become emotionally involved with anyone very deeply. Good to have read it but, it was certainly not the most accessible book.