Love in the Time of Cholera [Archive] - Literature Network Forums

Scheherazade

10-31-2005, 06:32 PM

We are reading Love in the time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez in November. Please post your thoughts and comments in this thread.

*runs to the library to get her copy*

Book Club Procedures (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?p=57103#post57103)

B-Mental

10-31-2005, 06:56 PM

I would place this in my top 10 books. Its my favorite Marquez book. I feel sad for people that can't pull this one off their own shelf, but must run to library. sniff

papayahed

10-31-2005, 07:14 PM

Whoo Hooooo!!!!!!!! It's not english!!!!!!

Darlin

10-31-2005, 09:58 PM

Whoo Hooooo!!!!!!!! It's not english!!!!!!

As much as I enjoy English author's I'm going to agree with you here, papayahed! I never did finish The Return of the Native. :(

Jay

11-03-2005, 11:32 AM

Now I need to have a looky if they have it in English in the library(ies) :p

Eva Marina

11-05-2005, 10:05 PM

Woot! I just got my copy today!

Sandrine

11-06-2005, 05:34 PM

I read this over the summer so I'm looking forward to the discussion! :D

I bought Love in the Time of Cholera a couple of years ago (and never got around to reading it til this year) but I noticed that the new edition has way better cover artwork.

papayahed

11-07-2005, 10:30 AM

I'm dying to know what was in the letter that the Jermaine guy wrote.....

Jay

11-07-2005, 12:10 PM

I got a copy of it! *cheers* I might actually finish in on time... that is, before we're supposed to start to read a new book.. all I need is to finish TROTN :p

Nightshade

11-07-2005, 01:41 PM

I got a copy too!!!

Eva Marina

11-07-2005, 06:43 PM

I agree with you, papayahed. What could have possibly taken up several pages (was it pages, plural?)? Suspense....

Scheherazade

11-15-2005, 09:03 PM

Got my copy today finally and just starting to read it.
It was inevitable: The scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love.I think this is one of the most beautiful first sentences I read.

papayahed

11-16-2005, 03:09 PM

ok, now what made Fermina change her mind?? Just the fact that she has grown up?

Shea

11-17-2005, 09:16 AM

I'm a little late in this, but I just got my copy yesterday (our library's is remodeling, so they don't have much in their temporary space right now). Now I know why everyone's pondering the letter... What a great way to trap a reader!

Kaltrina

11-17-2005, 09:28 AM

I read it last year and I loved it... I wanted to buy it here but there were only copies in Albanian and I wanted to read it in English so my sister ordered it for me from Germany... and now I have an English copy... :D

Scheherazade

11-17-2005, 07:16 PM

Shea

11-18-2005, 10:10 AM

After reading some more... Is anyone else finding this book humorous? It is turning into a poetic, romantic story as I read but still the narrator's comments are rather funny at times.

I loved the foul-mouthed parrot! :lol:

Shea

11-19-2005, 10:13 AM

*spoiler?*

err...At least the parrot seemed to repent!

Scheherazade

11-19-2005, 08:07 PM

I loved the parrot's antics as well! :D
[Fermina Daza] would lock herself in the bathroom at odd hours and for no reason other than to reread the letter, attempting to discover a secret code, a magic formula hidden in one of the three hundred fourteen letters of its fifty-eight words, in the hope that they would tell her more than they said.Has anyone else felt like/done this? I have and it is the awesome feeling of being in love (with the idea of being in love as much as with the writer of the letter(s)... GGM seems like writing from experience as well :)
Very well, I will marry you if you promise not to make me eat eggplant.I found the innocence, naivety and humour of this sentence very touching.

Shea

11-20-2005, 09:20 AM

I'm really starting to enjoy this book more and more. I've gotten to the "third" chapter (my copy doesn't have numbered chapters), and am finding that he tends to pull the reader into thinking that the story is going to go a certain way, and then, BOOM! he flips the story around. Then you think back to previous details and say, "I should have seen that coming!"

I loved the eggplant line too, Sher. The author has such and interesting turn of phrase sometimes to keep you interested. I only have one qualm with it.

...the tender breath of human excrement...

Obviously "excrement" was not the word he chose, but wouldn't it have sounded better? I mean, the phrase is odd enough without throwing that word in, and it really didn't fit the style of writing. As I initially read that line, it was like a clang sounded.

Nightshade

11-20-2005, 12:21 PM

Im enjoying it too though Ive only got to the second chapter its reminding me of isabel Allandes hous of spirits a bit in the whole feel and atmosphere so far and yet not a horible grouseme disgusting bit yet :D

Nightshade

11-21-2005, 06:24 AM

I hadnt reached the second chapter but I have now...
when is it supposed to be based time wise?
*spolier??* I would have hit florentino if I was fermina not just ordered him out.

Kaltrina

11-21-2005, 06:30 AM

I have read about 50 pages and so far there isn't one particular theme developing. It seems like the narrator is talking about anything and everything as they come along but it is done so masterfully that I haven't felt lost or bored a bit (so far). Enjoying it very much!

*edit*

After reading some more... Is anyone else finding this book humorous? It is turning into a poetic, romantic story as I read but still the narrator's comments are rather funny at times.

*possible spoiler*

Do you think the bird droppping on Fermina's embroidery is symbolic? That their affair will be doomed?

yep I do agree with you... it doesn't develop any theme... but I never got bored wiith it, I was amazed with the way it describes life and things that people do, there are some things I read in this book and i'd go like*yes that's true*, and i'd realize that i've never looked at those things the way it is described there but in fact that is how things are... and yep it is pretty funny, I loved his jokes... :D

Shea

11-21-2005, 10:01 AM

:bawling: :bawling: I'm so disappointed! :( :( This book started out so beautifully. I'm about halfway through and its been reading like something you'd pick up at the grocery store checkout. I was hoping that maybe it would be just a small section, but it's been going on for pages and pages. :brickwall All the poetic prose is gone, and I honestly have no desire to pick it back up.

Would you guys hate me if I didn't finish it?

Kaltrina

11-21-2005, 10:05 AM

No I don't think anyone would hate you but trust me I felt the same... but as you get closer to the end it gets so much better, I didn't like the beginning neither and I also made a pause but I did read it till the end and loved it. trust me you will like it later on... :D

Shea

11-21-2005, 10:09 AM

Actually, I loved the beginning.

*spoiler*

I'm just tired of reading about his stupid love affairs. I could really care less about that sort of thing. If that's what its going to be like from here on out, I'd rather not read it.

Kaltrina

11-21-2005, 10:12 AM

well yep most of the time it is about his affairs but not all of it... later on other things happen, and it's actually his way of being loyal in his heart what makes it interesting but I can't discuss it more cause then I'd spoil the fun for everyone else... :)

Shea

11-21-2005, 11:25 AM

Nah, still not convinced it's worth reading through. To me, actions speak louder than words and for him to be loyal in the heart makes no difference.

*spoiler*

I did get through to the part were he was taking up his job with the telegraph company and couldn't write a buisness letter without it sounding lyrical. I thought "finally, back to the story!" but then it went back to the affairs. grr... :mad: The book's pretty much ruined for me.

B-Mental

11-21-2005, 11:51 AM

Shea, you'll hate yourself if you don't finish it. I felt the same way the first time I read it.

Taliesin

11-21-2005, 03:27 PM

*second chapter spoiler*

Actually we like the image of a 70-paged love-letter.
We just can imagine presenting it:

"Here is my letter to you" *wham*

Scheherazade

11-24-2005, 06:25 PM

Shea

11-26-2005, 07:02 PM

Still can't bring myself to pick it up again.

papayahed

11-26-2005, 07:51 PM

This book doesn't seem to have the same "pizzazz" as The French Lieutenants woman, which is currently winning all my attention.

Scheherazade

11-29-2005, 07:02 AM

But [Widow Nazaret] had the inclinations of an alleycat, which were more indomitable than the strength of her tenderness, and this meant that both of them were condemned to infidelity. Still [Widow Nazaret and Ariza] continued to be intermittent lovers for almost thirty years, thanks to their musketeers' motto: Unfaithful but not disloyal.Is it possible to be 'unfaithful but not disloyal'? Any thoughts?

Kiwi Shelf

11-29-2005, 07:08 AM

This book doesn't seem to have the same "pizzazz" as The French Lieutenants woman, which is currently winning all my attention.

Oh, so glad people like this book! I was scared to read it when I initially saw people's posts. The class it is for, the teacher doesn't exactly pick the most thrilling novels... We did read a novel called "Cabbagetown," that was pretty good. Other than that, it has been dull and complicated.

Nightshade

11-29-2005, 07:15 AM

Is it possible to be 'unfaithful but not disloyal'? Any thoughts?

sure I think so they are different things cant really explain it without longwinded soupopera type scenarios but yes I think its possible
Edit there I thought of an anology;
a unfaithful dog abadons its master for another and a disloyal dog turns against its master
so you can be bothort one or the other the question is which is worse? disloyalty or unfaithfulness?

Shea

12-03-2005, 07:08 PM

I returned the book to the library today, never had a desire to finish it though I gave myself several days.

Nightshade

12-04-2005, 06:41 AM

Well Ive given up on it too, might try it again when Im in the mood for somthing that wierd and reading Isabelle allande's city of Beasts

papayahed

12-04-2005, 11:03 AM

I have it sitting near my bed - maybe I'll return to it, not anytime soon especially when I have The French Leitenunts (sp?) Woman and someplace to be flying on my plate.

Jay

12-08-2005, 11:27 AM

Halfway through, or so, I like it, mostly the way it's written.

Nightshade

12-08-2005, 03:34 PM

Its gone! i returned it

:D

elitespart

02-05-2008, 12:43 AM

For those who have read the novel, I need some ideas for an assignment in Spanish class.

If you could put five - ten objects in a container that had some relation to the story, what would you put? Also the container has to relate to the novel in some way as well. Thanks.

-v.b.

SleepyWitch

02-05-2008, 04:31 AM

B-Mental

02-05-2008, 10:08 AM

I also think that the emphasis on physical love has spoilt the book for me a bit while reading but later on it has all come together. However, I still think it is like giving love a bad name.

I think the strength of this book is its beautiful narrative and style.

Ok, from my point of view, please don't be offended. The man loved the youthful woman of his dreams, and never stopped loving her... His physical love was something that sustained others. I was slightly turned off by the old man loving a youth, but it was an omen that the woman of his dreams was coming to him. Then of course the beautiful ending, I hope that when I find my love, I raise a flag of cholera, and let no one interrupt it...

I still don't know why fewer people understand the immediate symbolism of this book.

Scheherazade

02-05-2008, 10:24 AM

Ok, from my point of view, please don't be offended. I am only offended that you didn't post in this thread earlier! :D
The man loved the youthful woman of his dreams, and never stopped loving her... His physical love was something that sustained others.
Oh, now I am picturing big-bellied, bald guys chasing the teen working girls claiming that their affairs are all "symbolic" and that they are actually after the youthful women of their dreams! :p

Interstingly enough, as I was typing this, I am reminded of Lolita. Humbert also chases his teenage love, who dies at the age of 13, doesn't he?

B-Mental

02-05-2008, 10:39 AM

yeah, the story is written over and over, but so it goes. B

annakarina

02-08-2008, 02:28 AM

Marquez is supposed to one of the greatest writers of the last century, and I have to admit I just don't get why. His novels are agreable enough, but to me they are in the Isabel Allende nice-for-wiling-away-a-long-train-ride class. He says nothing in his books that truly makes me think or sticks in my mind; the proof is I read LITTOC six months ago and can't remember a thing about it!

Hayfa Qahtani

02-27-2008, 12:18 PM

I had to steal it from a friend library ,
i never read somthing more pleasing ... but the movie i guess killed it !
dont watch the movie before you read it :)

madem514

04-11-2008, 01:38 PM

so i saw the movie to this book... is it much different or the same?

Kevets

02-22-2009, 10:54 AM

Ok, from my point of view, please don't be offended. The man loved the youthful woman of his dreams, and never stopped loving her... His physical love was something that sustained others. I was slightly turned off by the old man loving a youth, but it was an omen that the woman of his dreams was coming to him. Then of course the beautiful ending, I hope that when I find my love, I raise a flag of cholera, and let no one interrupt it...

I still don't know why fewer people understand the immediate symbolism of this book.

This was our book club pick this month.

I took his affair with a 14 year old as making a fairly likable character quite a lot less likable. It makes him a perverse and much more complex character. And it also shows him not only as a physical lover, but a man who has emotional love for many in his life, not just Fermina.

Also, the ruminations on old age are the more powerful in contrast with a youth. He worries about his old man's smell with Fermina, but knows that she has noticed it but put it out of her mind. And he remembers America's "diaper" smell.

I enjoyed the book. At first blush, it seems meandering and plot-less. But there is a lot of depth, and the scope of lives that converge, diverge and re-converge is well done. Still, many of the characters remain more caricatures.