Review: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “100 Years of Solitude” is a story of the Buendía family, which spans over a century. The book is set in the fictional town of Macondo, which becomes a character in itself. The story revolves around the themes of isolation, time, love, and death, and is written in the magical realism style. The book is considered a masterpiece and has won the Nobel Prize for literature.

Table of Contents

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Gabriel Garcia Marquez was a Colombian author who is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He was born on March 6, 1927, in Aracataca, Colombia. His books were mostly set in Latin America and were written in the magical realism style. He won numerous awards during his lifetime, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. He died on April 17, 2014, in Mexico City.

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Background Of The Book

“100 Years of Solitude” was first published in 1967. The book was an immediate success and was translated into several languages. The book is a family saga that takes place over a hundred years, and the story is set in the fictional town of Macondo. The book is considered a masterpiece of magical realism, and it is said that the book was inspired by Marquez’s childhood memories.

Plot Summary | SPOILER ALERT |

Beginning

The book begins with the story of José Arcadio Buendía, who founds the town of Macondo with his wife, Ursula Iguarán. They have two sons, José Arcadio and Aureliano. José Arcadio Buendía is an eccentric character who is obsessed with discovering the secrets of the universe.

Rising Action

As the story progresses, the town of Macondo grows, and the Buendía family faces numerous challenges. The family faces conflicts with neighbouring towns and wars, and they also experience love, death, and isolation. The family is also plagued by a curse that causes their family members to be born with tails.

Climax

The climax of the story comes when Colonel Aureliano Buendía fights a never-ending war. The war consumes his life, and he becomes disillusioned with the cause he is fighting for. Eventually, he realizes that the war was meaningless, and he ends up facing a firing squad.

Falling Action

After the death of Colonel Aureliano Buendía, the family begins to experience a decline. The town of Macondo faces numerous disasters, including floods and plagues. The family members also face their own personal struggles, including mental illness and suicide.

Conclusion

The book ends with the last surviving member of the Buendía family, Aureliano Buendía, experiencing a moment of solitude before he dies. The town of Macondo is also destroyed, and it is implied that the story of the Buendía family will eventually be forgotten.

Characters

José Arcadio Buendía

José Arcadio Buendía is the founder of the town of Macondo. He is an eccentric character who is obsessed with discovering the secrets of the universe. He is also a loving husband and father, but he is plagued by mental illness.

Ursula Iguarán

Ursula Iguarán is the wife of José Arcadio Buendía. She is a strong and resilient woman who holds the family together during their most difficult moments.

Colonel Aureliano Buendía

Colonel Aureliano Buendía is the son of José Arcadio Buendía and Ursula Iguarán. He is a skilled military leader who fights in numerous wars throughout his life. He is also a complex character who struggles with the meaning of his actions.

Remedios the Beauty

Remedios the Beauty is a beautiful woman who causes men to fall in love with her at first sight. She is a tragic character who causes numerous conflicts between the men in the Buendía family.

Themes

Isolation

The theme of isolation is prevalent throughout the book. The Buendía family members often feel alone and disconnected from each other and the world around them. This feeling of isolation is further emphasized by the magical realism elements in the book.

Time

The theme of time is also important in the book. The story spans over a hundred years, and the Buendía family members experience the passage of time in different ways. Time is also portrayed as cyclical, with events repeating themselves throughout the generations.

Love and Death

Love and death are intertwined themes in the book. The Buendía family members experience both love and death in equal measure. The book explores the different forms that love and death can take, and the impact they have on the characters.

Writing Style

Magical realism is a prominent element in the book. The magical elements of the story are seamlessly blended with the realistic elements, creating a dream-like quality to the narrative.

The book is full of metaphors that add layers of meaning to the story. The metaphors often have multiple interpretations, which allows readers to engage with the text on a deeper level.

Irony is also present in the book. The Buendía family members often experience the opposite of what they were hoping for, and this creates a sense of irony in the narrative.

Read our post “Why You Should Read Gabriel Garcia Marquez: His Best Novels” here.

Reception

“100 Years of Solitude” has been widely praised by critics and readers alike. The book has won numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature. The book has been translated into several languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “100 Years of Solitude” is a true masterpiece of literature. The book is a family saga that explores themes of isolation, time, love, and death. The writing style, which includes magical realism, metaphors, and irony, adds layers of meaning to the story.

The book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the human experience and the complexities of family relationships. Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s unique storytelling and beautiful prose make “One Hundred Years of Solitude” a timeless classic that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.

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