One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

⭐ 10.0/10

(Originally written by hoodie_logi)

I don't think I will exactly to be able to do this book justice in my review, but it may end up being not only the best book I've ever read, but also one of the most influential pieces of literature I will ever read. I feel changed after reading this book.

The book details of the events of the mythical and mystical town of Mocando, located in a secluded marsh in Colombia. The book focuses on the exploits and lives of the Buendia family, it covers 6 generations and around a century, though the timeline is fuzzy and unimportant in a lot of ways. Marquez does not utilize time in the we Westerners have come to understand narrative. The generations of families are understood to work in a cyclical working of time, many characters feature variations of the same names, and they often end up repeating the mistakes of those who came before them. Many events are told from past, present and future reflections all at one time. It's all as confusing as it sounds.

Marquez explores the idea of self-imposed, emotional solitude that humanity tends to put itself in. Each member of the family ends up removing themselves from the known world for various reasons, let it be love, addiction, pride, power etc. Many characters are led to their demise in their solitude, and those that do end up recognizing what has happened to them, realize it too late to do anything about it. This is a sad tale regarding the human experience, but it's so honest and real.

On top of that, the book has one foot in reality (like events that feature an evil banana corporation) and others that are fantastical and magical (a deluge of yellow flowers from the sky after the death of a character).

Again, I don't feel like I am doing this book justice in this review. You'll have to ask me about it in person. But what I will say is that I recommend you read this book. I don't believe I've ever been so profoundly affected by a piece of literature. It's so profoundly... human.