Monday, March 26, 2007
Reflection: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (as translated by Gregory Rabassa)
After finishing this book, I realized something: I finally agree with Oprah Winfrey on something. She proclaimed this to be an outstanding work of literature, and I can't do anything but agree. Gabriel Garcia Marquez does an uncomparable job writing this book. He shows how simple decisions can affect families for a lifetime, and how being so wrapped up in something can do so much damage. The end shows that Melquiade's writings were simply the chronicles, if you will, of the Buendia family. This begs the question: what if members of the family were not so caught up in his mysticism? Would they have been able to rewrite these prophecies by living their lives? Garcia fascinated readers throughout this entire book, and at the same time was able to share his opinions, thoughts, feelings, dreams, even political views. Most importantly, he did what is truly the beauty of writing: he shared us his life, while making a brilliant piece of work in the process.
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5 comments:
I could have sworn i read that on a web site somewhere.........
ha ha ha. j/k. yea that was alright. i agree. for the most part. in my opinion, because the parchments end at the demise of Buendia family, wut was truly significant about Macondo and its inhabitants neway. because of this turn of events, it could be argued that Melquiades was never even alive to begin with, except when he was actually living in the story. Jose Arcadio Buendia's hereditary insanity could have been the cause of Melquiades appearing in the room, and that the parchments were never deciphered but were being written by the buendias. try to eat that for breakfast.
Why can't you just take it for what it's worth? And why would the Buendia's be writing stuff about themselves? That's like TJ narrating his life. Wait. Are you insinuating that the Buendia's were actually a group of Nigerian star athletes, just like the Alimi's? And just like our good friend Tukunbo's wrestling career, at least Macondo and the Buendia's mattered at some point.
Sean O'C,
Wow! I am truly impressed with your work. I enjoyed reading bits and pieces of your writings. Your thoughts and interpretations are clearly stated and insightful. Congratulations on finishing the book and liking it! This is one of my daughter's favorite authors. Glad you enjoyed the book.
Sean!
I agree with Mike!!! Did I read that somewhere? I'm sorry. Bad teacher joke...Your writing is phenomenal. It seems like you've found the answers to many of your questions in your previous blog. I hope the questions I presented helped. Even if they didn't, I must say that you are very insightful. You AR is phenomenal. It is well organized (thanks for the separate posts!) and well written. There are few typos. And you explain your quotes.
ch.11-20 grade: A+
overall grade: A+
:-)
P.s. (to mike bermejo): you pose a very interesting theory. Some critics argue that Melquiades is a memory that is passed from generation to generation. He's the magical realist element that further connects each character. He is the bond that drives that curiousity to the aurelianos and the first JAB; but, he is also the demise of the family because they cannot create a history without including his 'undecipherable' parchments. Nice!!!
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