“...time was not passing...it was turning in a circle…”
We are often taught to believe fact over fiction, that reality is solid evidence over ideas and abstractions. More often than not, it seems that reality is not always a fact and it is individually experienced by different people from different walks of life. The subjective nature of reality can be most jarring when applied to time - which is considered the ultimate truth of our lives. Can we really say that time and tide waits for none, if the experience of time at its core shifts from each person, each existence?
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" was first published in 1967 and was translated from Spanish. This book weaves elements of magical realism with the multi-generational story of the Buendia family, presenting a microcosm of postcolonial Latin American society. Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a Nobel laureate, and "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is an extraordinary literary experience in world fiction. Although it is a work of fiction, the book is a reflection of Colombian history and its interaction with other countries in the region. Like most Latin American fiction, importance is given to legends, folktales and myths, the only difference being "One Hundred Years of Solitude" as a whole reads as a mythical legend, a story passed on from generation to generation. This reflects Marquez's genius as he incorporates this quality within the narrative itself through the manuscripts that each male member of the family attempts to decode. Furthermore, religion as an institution is questioned in the novel and yet its structure is eerily similar to the Bible, beginning with the creation of a whole new world, a paradise in fact, and ending with the apocalyptic destruction of that very paradise.
Marquez’s personal political beliefs have often been debated, especially his stance on capitalism and imperialist ideologies. The author has stated his belief that capitalism is a European system best suited to that particular society. The imposition of those philosophies in the name of development is something Marquez stood against, and Latin America’s right to determine its own path to growth is a central theme in this book. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is a riveting tale of revolution against mechanistic industrialisation that swept through Latin America and Macondo. The book does include at its core an apolitical critique on abuse of power and how that abuse continues through neo-colonialism, masked by flawed democracy. This kind of apolitical rhetoric is quite uncommon amongst authors who hold strong political ideals, who might otherwise opt for an ideological agenda. It is interesting to note that as Macondo’s isolation decreases, the abuse of power increases and it is in fact the most apolitical character in the book, Ursula Buendia, who spearheads the crusade against this abuse. While no one political philosophy is portrayed to have the moral high ground in this novel, it is made clear that increasing arbitrary power lies at the root of several issues faced by society. At its core, we do feel that while Marquez has indulged in a political commentary throughout the story, "One Hundred Years of Solitude" doubles as a call for reforming the political atmosphere in Latin America to be more about promoting real change and progress for the society. All in all, his depiction of political action in this book is perhaps one of the most interesting literary aspects of “One Hundred Years of Solitude”.
One of the main aspects of this novel is in fact solitude. Everything in the novel is shrouded in solitude, though its kind varies for each character. While the patriarch is confined by a community imposed solitude, his wife ails from solitude due to neglect and old age. The younger members of the family live in either self-imposed solitude, or are bound by their inherent personalities. Macondo in itself is isolated, and this isolation is a reflection of just how cut off from the rest of the 'civilized' world Latin America was. They were drowning in solitude until their Pandora's box just burst open, revealing their treasures to the rest of the world.
Marquez is often known as the father of Latin American magical realism, and is a master of narrative ability that sucks the readers into the world he has created. The descriptive nature of Marquez’s writing is contrasted by the sense of detachment he evokes in his style; such that we as readers connect wholeheartedly with the characters but the author himself seems to be at a vantage point, looking in through a modern and anonymous manner. The book includes some incredible women characters, depicting different elements of femininity and womanhood in Colombian and Latin American society. In fact, one highlight is how male characters are depicted as agents of chaotic, sometimes destructive energies and it is the women who hold down the fort and temper situations.
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" is seen as daunting by many, and understandably so, given how tedious it can get. A key element of reading the book is a constant reference to the family tree, and trust us, it really does enrich the reading experience. The characterisation and writing style of “One Hundred Years of Solitude” hold a mythical element that make this book a true pleasure to read. The synthesis of magical storytelling and stark truths of humanity, this is perhaps the most challenging review we have ever penned. This definitely goes to show just how difficult yet fulfilling this reading experience was, and we highly recommend all of you to start this voyage too!
This is the last review of our #translatedbooks series! This has been an incredible experience for us and we hope you guys enjoyed our recommendations!