Rating:  Summary: Good literature for the heathen masses Review: Though this book is a masterpiece, it'll fail to engage the average Oprah viewer. The short attention span and inherent shallowness of Oprah's loyal fanbase of lonely housewives will render them incapable of fully penetrating the mysteries of Marquez. Those people who are used to such tripe as the Da Vinci Code and the like will find themselves in a whole new world with magic realism. Oprah fans, with their sheep-like mental structures, will lash out at a narrative they will never understand. As Marquez makes us feel inferior with his grace and mastery, the Oprah fan will hate him for it. For this story, after all, does not contain the cheap sentimentality or the soap opera-type themes that most Oprah fan's have come to expect from her selections. So just remember, if you don't like the book, it's not the book's fault; it's your fault for being stupid.
Rating:  Summary: Beyond Description Review: In our reading group, the question was asked, "What's this book about?" That's the problem with a work so unique - it passes description. One of us tossed out "the life of a village" and maybe that's the best way to say it. By whatever description, this is a book of rare wisdom and deep pathos. Truly one of those books that you will be glad you read.
Rating:  Summary: Middle of the Road Review: My experience with 100 Years of Solitude has been that people either love it or they absolutely hate it, but I'm apathetic about it. I had to read it for a world cultures class in college and not even the teacher could tell us how it was relevant to what the class was about. The repetition of the men's names makes for a very confusing story line, and the son that was born with a tail? Weird, to say the least. But apparently this book inspires a lot of people judging by the previous reviews. I would suggest that you read it if for no other reason than to form your own opinion about it.
Rating:  Summary: Magic realism at its best Review: Marquez should be applauded for this work of magic realism that still had a very humanistic quality to it. Don't be afraid of the the length of this book, because it's never dull, and ends beautifully. The characters in this book cannot be forgotten, and the events range from tragic to joyous and absurd. I have read other Marquez novels and this one has been my favorite.
Rating:  Summary: Gave Up On It Review: found this a very weird book,just couldn't get going with it.. maybe it was the translation..I might try again soon
Rating:  Summary: Correcting the erroneous minds!!! Review: I already wrote a review for this book; however, I would like to correct those that are criticizing this book with erroneous information. First of all, unlike the Pulitzer, the Nobel prize for literature is handed to an author on the merits of his or her entire body of work, so please stop complaining about how you can't believe this book won the Nobel because it didn't: the writer did for his body of work. Just remember that NO single book can win the Nobel prize for literature. As far as people complaining about this book, it's too bad but oh well, what can you do. This book isn't for everyone just like anything else. I loved it and many others have cherished it too. That's all folks.
Rating:  Summary: This books should be banned for 100 years in SOLITARY Review: This book won the NOBEL Prize? I just can't help it, I need to write another review. This book should be placed in Solitary Confinement for 100 years. This is to save both time and trees used in printing of this book. Do not even dare buy this book even from a 2nd hand bookstore. Believe me, do not waste your money.
Rating:  Summary: Bad, bad, bad Review: What a horrible book; hard to read; too many characters; I never did figure out what the whole thing was about. I can't believe this won a Nobel Prize. Definitely a waste of time reading.
Rating:  Summary: Masterfully Done Review: One Hundred Years of Solitude is masterful, one of the best Latin American books that has surfaced. It is the story of a family in a Latin American village. It glides over 5 generations of Buendias, and it deals with the problems, events and consequences that Latin America faced throughout the XIX and XX century. The story itself is fascinating. The characters are vivid and real with real passion and real pain. The story is brilliantly written. It is truly difficult to put the novel down for even a moment even though you know within you that you need to take your time so that you may absorb it properly. It is as much a complicated novel as it is a complete one, with so many details and twists, and so much understanding and union. I also enjoyed Lucky Monkeys In The Sky by Michele Geraldi. It deals with similar issues, similar extreme emotions and passion, but the story itself, though a journey of sorts as well, is quit different for the better....
Rating:  Summary: Unfortunate Translation Review: While I think that this book was competently translated from Spanish, I do think that the translation does change the style of the book considerably. I was surprised to read reviews where readers considered the book "difficult" or "dense" until I read parts of it in English. I've read this book several times in Spanish, which is my native language, starting from when I was 16. And I find that the prose is not dense at all. My criticism of this English translation is that it overemphasizes the "magical" and "exotic" aspect of the language, making it almost self conscious of its own "magical realism". I think that in Spanish, the magical realism is implied in the language, in the story. It feels like the English translation is intentionally dreamy, almost forced. Anyway, I think this is an excellent book in whatever language you choose to read it. Everyone should read this book at least once, don't worry about the hype, the analysis, etc. Just enjoy it, it will be worth your while.
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