by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Introduction and Acquisition: Was not distinct introduction so much as the gradual recognition of a book that was frequently trumpted. I was intrigued by the description of "magical realism" and thought I would enjoy the fantastical bit of the story. I picked it up time and again, but for some reason it would always leave my hands after only a few bites.
Time and Circumstance: Soon after the formation of SFDS, I finally got possession of this book - purchased this time, so it would not leave my hands - and set about immersing myself in it. Winter 2006.
What was cool: The ending. The Ending! Never read a better ending. Never. It was tied up so neatly, so simply, with a twist that made me cry out loud "Ah!", and laugh at the ingenuity of it. Like a fine dessert that makes the entire meal shine. Amidst the large number of characters there were some unforgettable ones, like the Beauty and the large Jose who returned after years in the war.
What kinda sucked: It was a journey to read through, and I got a little lost as to who was who with all the characters so named after one another. It was put-down-able, though, as evident by the half dozen or so times I picked it up from the library only to return it with a mere 5 pages read. I suppose books with opening pages about firing squads and long Latino names don't grab me - it's just me I think. Got a tad tedious in the middle, and I wondered where it was all going.
Leftover thoughts: I enjoyed recalling some of the characters and attaching mythological archetypes to them. One really had to patient wait until the end of the book to be truly rewarded by its genius - but what a long wait!
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