Publication
Blackstone Audio, Inc. (2013)
Original publication date
1961
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Description
Written with compassionate realism and wit, the stories in this mesmerizing collection depict the disparities of town and village life in South America, of the frightfully poor and outrageously rich, of memories and illusions, and of lost opportunities and present joys.
User reviews
LibraryThing member P1g5purt
This collection of short stories, like a lot of Garcia-Marquez’s work is set in the fictional town of Macondo. The Colonel, a retired veteran of the Thousand Days War, is waiting for his pension. He’s been waiting for 15 years. Every Friday he walks to the dock to await the arrival of the post
Although “No One Writes To The Colonel is the “standout track” (Bolano called it perfect) the remaining stories hold their own. The setting of Macondo creates an air of familiarity (or, if you’re uncharitable, a nagging sense of déjà-vu ). Perhaps in anyone elses hands this would mean anyone unfamiliar with “One Hundred Years Of Solitude” would lose out. It’s a testament to a Garcia-Marquez’s skill that they read so well as stand alone pieces. That’s how I read them anyway. After 20 or so years the only thing I reliably remember is the title!
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boat. Every week he’s disappointed. Struggling with poverty and financial insecurity their only lifeline is a rooster – itself the surviving link to a son lost to political repression. The rooster’s training will be their salvation once the cock-fighting season begins. How to eke out the interim two months is the problem. However, it’s Garcia-Marquez, so an exploration of the impact of the back-grounded political corruption and violence is the real point of the story.Although “No One Writes To The Colonel is the “standout track” (Bolano called it perfect) the remaining stories hold their own. The setting of Macondo creates an air of familiarity (or, if you’re uncharitable, a nagging sense of déjà-vu ). Perhaps in anyone elses hands this would mean anyone unfamiliar with “One Hundred Years Of Solitude” would lose out. It’s a testament to a Garcia-Marquez’s skill that they read so well as stand alone pieces. That’s how I read them anyway. After 20 or so years the only thing I reliably remember is the title!
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LibraryThing member FPdC
A short story based on a real situation lived by the author's grandfather. The wretched existence of an old man clinging to life on the hope of receiving the promised government's pension.
LibraryThing member krizia_lazaro
The problem I have with short stories are they're short. I'm still warming up to it, dipping my toes into the story then it was finished. I do not get to love them as much as I would love if it was a full length novel. This novella/short story was actually pretty good. It was heartbreaking. Nothing
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happy about this and I think that was the point, Columbia was an unhappy place back then especially for the poor people because of corruption and censors. This was different from other Marquez stories I've read. None of the magic I was accustomed to but a lot of realism. This is real. This happened somewhere in time. A short masterpiece by Senor Marquez! Show Less
Language
Original language
Spanish