I really wasn't sure what to expect with this book. The first time I heard of Love in the Time of Cholera was in the movie Serendipity with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. (Having read the book now, I kind of understand the connection there.) I haven't read anything by Gabriel Garcia Marquez before, but I have heard that he is an amazing writer. I knew that he often includes magic realism in his stories, a genre I was introduced to through Sarah Addison Allen's novels. And I figured, based on the title, that this was a love story altered by the disease of cholera.
Well, I was sort of right. Here is the description on the back of my copy: "In their youth, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fall passionately in love. When Fermina eventually chooses to marry a wealthy, well-born doctor, Florentino is devastated, but he is a romantic. As he rises in his business career, he whiles away the years in 622 affairs - yet he reserves his heart for Fermina. Her husband dies at last, and Florentino purposefully attends the funeral. Fifty-one years, nine months, and four days after he first declared his love for Fermina, he will do so again."
Well, I was sort of right. Here is the description on the back of my copy: "In their youth, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fall passionately in love. When Fermina eventually chooses to marry a wealthy, well-born doctor, Florentino is devastated, but he is a romantic. As he rises in his business career, he whiles away the years in 622 affairs - yet he reserves his heart for Fermina. Her husband dies at last, and Florentino purposefully attends the funeral. Fifty-one years, nine months, and four days after he first declared his love for Fermina, he will do so again."
622 affairs?? Will someone please explain to me how that counts as remaining faithful to your first love?
The style of the book took some adjusting. There is very little dialogue. Most of the events are just described. It's harder to feel connected to the characters that way, yet I still ended up caring very much if Fermina and Florentino got their happy ending or not. The description on the back covers the basic plot of all but the last fifty pages or so. The book begins by Florentino declaring his love on the day of Fermina's husband's funeral. Then it retraces the history of their lives that brought them to that point. And Gabriel Garcia Marquez certainly leaves you guessing about that happy ending.
This is a poignant story of frustrated, unrequited, and occasionally fulfilled love. It introduces us to a world and a time that is very different from our world today. And it reminds us that it is never too late to go after what you really want. Always chase after your dreams.
The style of the book took some adjusting. There is very little dialogue. Most of the events are just described. It's harder to feel connected to the characters that way, yet I still ended up caring very much if Fermina and Florentino got their happy ending or not. The description on the back covers the basic plot of all but the last fifty pages or so. The book begins by Florentino declaring his love on the day of Fermina's husband's funeral. Then it retraces the history of their lives that brought them to that point. And Gabriel Garcia Marquez certainly leaves you guessing about that happy ending.
This is a poignant story of frustrated, unrequited, and occasionally fulfilled love. It introduces us to a world and a time that is very different from our world today. And it reminds us that it is never too late to go after what you really want. Always chase after your dreams.
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