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*
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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
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
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. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by papayahed
Now I need to have a looky if they have it in English in the library(ies) :p
Woot! I just got my copy today!
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.
I'm dying to know what was in the letter that the Jermaine guy wrote.....
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
I got a copy too!!!
I agree with you, papayahed. What could have possibly taken up several pages (was it pages, plural?)? Suspense....
Got my copy today finally and just starting to read it.I think this is one of the most beautiful first sentences I read.Quote:
It was inevitable: The scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love.
ok, now what made Fermina change her mind?? Just the fact that she has grown up?
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!
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
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?
I loved the foul-mouthed parrot! :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Scheherazade
*spoiler?*
err...At least the parrot seemed to repent!
I loved the parrot's antics as well! :DHas 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 :)Quote:
[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.
I found the innocence, naivety and humour of this sentence very touching.Quote:
Very well, I will marry you if you promise not to make me eat eggplant.
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.
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.Quote:
...the tender breath of human excrement...
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
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.
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... :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Scheherazade
: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?
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
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.
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... :)
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.
Shea, you'll hate yourself if you don't finish it. I felt the same way the first time I read it.
*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*
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.
Still can't bring myself to pick it up again.
This book doesn't seem to have the same "pizzazz" as The French Lieutenants woman, which is currently winning all my attention.
Is it possible to be 'unfaithful but not disloyal'? Any thoughts?Quote:
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by papayahed
sure I think so they are different things cant really explain it without longwinded soupopera type scenarios but yes I think its possibleQuote:
Originally Posted by Scheherazade
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?
I returned the book to the library today, never had a desire to finish it though I gave myself several days.
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
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.
Halfway through, or so, I like it, mostly the way it's written.