One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

“He really had been through death, but he had returned because he could not bear the solitude.”

This is one of those books that everybody needs to read. It’s proclaimed as one of the greatest books ever written, and I can say that this has become my favorite book, everything about it is wonderfully done. Unlike some mid-century works, this book does not slow down or bore the reader with over-done prose. Every sentence of this novel is perfectly placed, poetic and meaningful. Despite it’s length, Garcia-Marquez keeps you reading.

There’s not much I can say about this book other than to read it. It blends magical realism with historical fiction. It taps into so much about human nature and what life truly means, what we live for, and what we miss in life. This novel is sad, its nostalgic, and it dwells on the discomfort of loneliness.

Something I keep thinking about with this book is the title. Cien Años de Soledad is the title in Spanish. Translated to English, it’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, but part of me thinks that last word should be different. Soledad in Spanish is most commonly translated as loneliness; solitude and loneliness are two very different things, and I think this book deals with loneliness rather than solitude. Solitude has a very positive meaning, it’s something we desire or look forward to, whereas loneliness is never truly desired. (Spoilers) At the end of this novel, Aureliano II wanders the empty town, wondering why nobody remembers him or his family, realizing how lonely he and his family had truly become. It makes you think about life, what we do with each day, and how so much of our lives are spent alone. It touches on what loneliness is, what nostalgia is, and what it feels like.

I really recommend everyone to read this book, I can’t stress enough how enjoyable and beautiful this novel is.