One Hundred Years of Solitude

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Summary: the greatest novel, nearly an epos, of the XXth century
Review: When I read the last phrase of Marquez' epos I wept. Not because the story was sad, but because the book was finished

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Summary: Columbian family values
Review: Marquez' book takes the reader through the lives and times of what I hope is an atypical Columbian (?) family, covering from roughly the 1830s to the 1930s. It was fun in parts, but oddly repetitive, with a style that seemed half magic realism, half Freud. And, of course, the standard enervating anti-American diatribes were thrown in. I guess a Latin American author even in magic realism mode can't overcome his predilictions.

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Summary: Absolutely superb!
Review: Marquez magic realism is breathtaking. This book is my benchmark for the future.

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Summary: amzing and intellectually enriching
Review: the book talks about passion, war, defeat and glory, family dramas and political upheaval. the book is touching and a good reading for understanding latin america and its people. praise for garcia marquez for such a landmark novel.

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Summary: This single book can change everyone's life forever!!!
Review: In my case, this is as true as the mixture of oxigen and nitrogen i am breathing right now. I am preparing to read it all over again for the seventh time, and i know that it won't be the last. The most significant word i can find for this book is MAGICAL!! Read it, for God's sake!

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Summary: My favourite novel!
Review: I first read this novel in London on a very cold and bleak Sunday in Winter. I can't remember taking a break from picking it up until the final page. I was mesmerized. To say this book is a masterpiece/classic is to demean it. I've passed this recommendation on to some good friends and have yet to hear a contrary opinion. What more can I say? EXCEPT check out 'Love in the Time of Cholera' (not far behind the pace!). I hope both give you as much pleasure as they did me.

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Summary: If you read one book in your life, read this!
Review: I was amazed to see that anyone could negatively review this book, because it changed my life forever. Before reading this book, my parents had insisted that it was a gift from the gods. I still remember the first lines, which are the best I've read to date. One teacher of mine said, "it is the best book written since World War II, in the world." And the world is a very big place, and 50 years (or so) is a long time. I know that my children will one day read this book in awe!

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Summary: Deliciously Emotional and Intellectual
Review: I had to put this book down...several times. That was just because it was such an emotional journey that I couldn't read it all at once. But the second I finished the last letter of the last word on the last page, I quickly turned back to the first page and began to read again. Marquez is truly an inspired composer. His stories are filled with the human process and never leave your mind empty. I find myself craving for the same pleasure, pain and anger that his characters experience. You will not want to finish this book in one sitting and if you do you will be desperate for a second, and third, and fouth...reading!

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Summary: What's the fuss all about?
Review: I was cajoled into reading this "required reading for all of humanity" masterpiece. I had to fight to finish this novel - I thought that at the very least, it would be as magical as Allende's House of Spirits, but I was severely disappointed. Unlike everyone else (or so it seems everyone else), this book did not change my sensibilities. The best part of the book was the last 40 or so pages, which ALMOST, almost, made the other 400 pages worthwhile. I do not doubt Garcia Marquez' talent -- what I do believe is a lot was lost in the translation!

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Summary: INCREDIBLE.
Review: As a Colombian, I am proud to say that Gabo's novel is the most beautiful and magical portrayal of the people and customs of Colombia. No one I've read has ever drawn with words pictures in my mind so clearly. Truly, a masterpiece for the future generations all over the world.