What a marathon! This beautifully written book is dense with words and emotions. With few interruptions by dialogue, it’s like a long, long story told in one sitting over many drinks and cigars. I don’t know what it is about South American writers, but many of them have this in common — a predilection for intricate and passionate love stories, often with a dark, Byzantine overlay. I admire the conception of the story and the skilful writing, but it takes some commitment to read it.
The story takes place at the end of the 19th century and concerns two innocent young lovers, their long lives apart, the many forms of love and the persistence of true love. If it sounds ephemeral, it’s not. This is love set against the dirt and smell of the body and human life in decay.
This is a rich, golden tapestry of a book. A bit musty, but beautiful, intricate and masterfully woven.
I very much agree with your comment that “Love in the Time of Cholera” reads like a long story told in one sitting. There is minimal dialogue and the book is barely divided into chapters.
Haven’t finished the book yet, but I’m loving it.
P.S. Anyone who hasn’t read “One Hundred Years of Solitude” (also by Gabriel Garcia Marquez) should hunt down a copy.
Hello Kathryn,
Nice to hear from you. Yes, One Hundred Years of Solitude is definitely a must-read — in fact, I’ll dig out my own copy and read it again, it’s been so long.
Happy reading,
Inge