One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

This is perhaps the most famous of the novels by Mr. Marquez, winning the nobel prize for literature. Having avidly read and enjoyed a number of the authors short stories and novellas I came to this book with high expectations and I was not disappointed. It is worth baring in mind that the book unravels its mysteries at a stately, sedate pace. Initially you get the impression that GGM is stringing together a whole series of short fables under the loose plot of a family history. A number of people who I know have variously read and attempted to read this book and I do no feel that I am spoiling the end by saying that it is not until the final pages of the book that you fully appreciate the nuances of the story that is being told.

For the generations described in the book come and go, all distinct and all sharing the family trait of falling into solitude as they mature and life begins to inflict its wounds and joys upon them. As sons are named after their fathers and grandfathers and daughters retain elements of the family names it becomes increasingly necessary to check the family tree at the front of the novel.

I do not personally feel that this is the best work that the author has produced. I enjoyed the short stories of 'Strange Pilgrims' and the novella 'Of love and other demons' told a wonderful story with a great economy of words. My life is richer for reading '100 years of solitude' and it certainly pays to carry on reading to the end. If you start the book expecting a slowly unravelling history told for the joy of telling and not demanding a sharp hit of economic plotting you won't be disappointed.