Recently, I finished reading two books: ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and ‘The Silkworm’ by J.K. Rowling under pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
One Hundred Years of Solitude (originally written in Spanish as Cien Años de Soledad in 1967) is often considered to be one of the greatest novels of past century.
It tells the story of Buendia family- the founders of fictional town of Mocondo, hidden somewhere in the forests of Colombia. Over the course of hundred years, Mocondo and Buendias undergo many upheavals- wars, development, industrialization, imperialist capitalism, workers’ strike, epidemics, storms, disasters, death, scandals… In a way, it’s a chronicle of the struggle between old and new ways of life a tussel between tradition and modernity.
I had started reading this book in my college days. Somehow, never went beyond a few pages. But when Gabriel Garcia Marquez died in April this year, I decided to read it again. The narrative, simple style of the Novel is enough to prove why Gabriel Garcia Marquez is hailed as one of the greatest storytellers of the time.
P.S. The passage that I loved most is so apt these days..
“Tell me something, old friend: why are you fighting?”
“What other reason could there be?” Colonel Gerineldo Marquez answered. “For the great Liberal party.”
”You’re lucky because you know why,” he answered. “As far as I’m concerned, I’ve come to realize only just now that I’m fighting because of pride.”
”That’s bad,” Colonel Gerineldo Marquez said.
Colonel Aureliano Buendia was amused at his alarm. “Naturally,” he said. “But in any case, it’s better than not knowing why you’re fighting.” He looked him in the eyes and added with a smile: Or fighting, like you, for something that doesn’t have any meaning for anyone.”
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The Silkworm
The Silkworm – J.K Rowling as Robert Galbraith
J.K. Rowling has yet again delivered a masterpiece. After ‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’, this is her second novel under Pseudonym of Robert Galbraith.
A novelist- Owen Quine- is gone missing after finishing a book, which if published might splinter the reputation of several. Quine’s wife Leonara, desperate to find her husband, hires private investigator Cormoran Strike. What unfolds is a well-woven mystery, with very subtle cues and a parallel plot about Strike’s personal life and that of his assistant Robin Ellacott.
I loved reading The Silkworm and have already started waiting for third Strike Novel 🙂
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