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Chronicle of a Death Foretold

by Gabriel García Márquez, Gregory Rabassa (Translator)

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 · rating details · 31,203 ratings · 1,397 reviews

'ON THE DAY THEY WERE GOING TO KILL HIM, SANTIAGO NASAR GOT UP AT FIVE-THIRTY IN THE MORNING TO WAIT FOR THE BOAT THE BISHOP WAS COMING ON'

When newlywed Angela Vicario and Bayardo San Román are left to their wedding night, Bayardo discovers that his new wife is no virgin. Disgusted, he returns Angela to her family home that very night, where her humiliated mother beats her...more

Paperback, 122 pages

Published February 29th 2008 by Penguin Books (first published 1981)

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Dec 04, 2011 G rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: literary

What would you do if everyone around you knew you were going to be killed but were doing nothing to stop this? For me, more than paranoia and terror would rake my mind. This is the premise of CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD. The whole village knows that Santiago Naser is going to die by the hands of his wife's brothers. Their reason for killing him is simple: they believe he is to blame for their sister being returned after her marriage to a wealthy foreigner because she is not a virgin. As the st...more

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Nov 09, 2008 Charity rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: People who want to read a fabulous story

Based on an actual incident, this novel dramatizes the story of a young bride whose husband returns her after their wedding night because she's not a virgin. Subsequently, her brothers set out to murder the man whom she names as the "perpetrator." A former resident who has returned to reconstruct these events narrates the story, which is as much about the townspeople as about the main characters.

I find it to be a true testament to García Márquez's storytelling abilities that even though I knew t...more

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Jul 08, 2007 Ian rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone

I own about 70 copies of illegally-photocopied versions of this book so I can use it with my students in class. And unlike most books I teach, I read this one every year.

Why? 'Cuz it's an unbelievable text.

I firmly believe that Santiago Nasar is one of literature's greatest Christ-figures. Many of Garcia's books have Christ-figures, of course, but Santiago is Jesus with a twist. When the book starts, Santiago is portrayed as a bad man who is wasteful and immoral and violent. When he is fingered...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Rola rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Rola by: ميّ أحمد

يقولون أن ليلى مريضة بالعراق ········· و يقولون أيضا أن ماركيز أكثر من مبدع
:)
لا أدرى عن ليلى المريضة و لكنى تأكدت اليوم من إبداع ماركيز.
فى تجربتى الأولى معه يتحدث ماركيز عن مقتل أحد أبناء القرية فى جريمة شرف و يتولى الراوى مهمة الحكاية و عرض آراء سكان القرية فى الجريمة , أسبابها , و نتائجها.

تأتى الرواية و أحداثها كقطعة "بازل" كبيرة , يقوم الراوى بتحميعها الواحدة تلو الأخرى لتتضح الصورة أمام ناظريك بأكثر من زاوية , و كأنها لعبة المخيمات القديمة حيث يحكى كل فرد جزءا من رواية كبيرة , راميا الكرة...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Jesse rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Jesse by: Lorena

Shelves: latin-american-lit, 2012

While he is certainly a giant among writers, Marquez is also a master story-teller. This gift roars to the forefront of the enjoyments found in his novella, Chronicle of a Death Foretold. The story itself is simply described: a man is killed by two brothers acting in defense of their sister's honor, while an entire village does nothing to stop the murder. Told in a rather journalistic voice, Marquez's narrative hops back and forth in time as it captures the memories and thoughts of the populace...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Saman added it · review of another edition

Shelves: novelette

همانند ( صد سال تنهایی ) که در اوّلین خط از داستان با خبر می‌شویم سرهنگ (آئورلیانو بوئیندا) در مقابل جوخه‌ی اعدام می‌ایستد و یک ایستادن در مقابل جوخه‌ی اعدام می‌شود آغاز روایت (مارکز) از یک نسل از یک خانواده، یک شهر، یک تاریخ، یک فرهنگ و یک کتاب ستودنی؛ در اوّلین خط از این کتاب با خبر می‌شویم: " سانتیاگو ناصر کشته شده است. " به همین سادگی و به همین عریانی. جالب این‌جاست که قاتل یا قاتلین را هم می‌شناسیم. علت را هم می‌دانیم. آلت قتاله را هم می‌دانیم و از زمان، مکان وقوع قتل نیز باخبر می‌شویم. خُب...more

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Jul 03, 2007 Irina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: spanish

I read this book piecemeal, but even though I would be away for it for days at a time, I had to come back -- and the last 30 pages or so made me drop everything to read them. *Chronicle* is one of those books that left me confused, but convinced of its beauty. Unlike a detective novel (a genre it is playing against), in which the people killed are devoid of personality -- in which we can barely bring ourselves to care about them -- the prolongued death of Santiago Nasar, as seen through everyone...more

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Jan 19, 2013 John Molina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book. This was the first book I have ever read from Marquez and he showed me how a master truly works. This novella does not lack in any facet's, it has a great story, memorable characters and some of the most magnificent prose I have ever had the pleasure to experience. Marquez weaves an amazing web of a story connecting all of a town's mistake into an undeniable tragedy. Masterfully written. 9.9/10

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Sep 22, 2010 Mai Fathy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Mai by: Tasneem

Shelves: 2010

ما الذى يسعنى قوله
مُبهرة وممتعة

حادثة القتل المؤلمة التى مضى على وقوعها اكثر من 20 عاما
يبدا ماركيز فى تجميع خطوطها على يد الراوى الغامض حتى مٌنتصف الرواية تقريبا من عدة مصادر وشهود..بلدة بأكملها للدقة
تعتقد انك ستصاب مؤكد ستصاب بالملل لأنك ادركت اللعبة ويكفيك فقط ان تقرأ اول روايتين لشاهدين ثم تُلقى بالكتاب بعيد-وخصوصا إن لم تكن من قراء ماركيز المخضرمين-فتُفاجئ بان هناك المزيد مع كل صفحة
وان كل سطر يعطى لما بعده جاذبية لا توصف ولما قبله اهمية بالغة
وفى النهاية بعد ان تغلق الكتاب مبهورا تقول
فعلها...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Hana Alharastani rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The novella Chronicle of a Death Foretold is unlike any story one would pick up at a bookstore. The novella is short yet packed with allusions and imagery, and implying more information than is actually given. Based on a true story, the whole aspect of the book is astonishing. What would you do if everyone around you knew you were going to be killed but did nothing to stop it? This paranoia, this terror…it is a novel worth picking up and is highly recommended.
The novella, told in a journalistic...more The novella Chronicle of a Death Foretold is unlike any story one would pick up at a bookstore. The novella is short yet packed with allusions and imagery, and implying more information than is actually given. Based on a true story, the whole aspect of the book is astonishing. What would you do if everyone around you knew you were going to be killed but did nothing to stop it? This paranoia, this terror…it is a novel worth picking up and is highly recommended.
The novella, told in a journalistic voice centers around the life of a town where a man named Santiago Nasar is rumored to be killed. The story does not follow any particular order, instead skips back and forth between events and people that the narrator interview to get the complete story behind Santiago Nasar’s death. The events of the death are replayed over and over again in the eyes of different people in the town. The tale of how Nasar took the virginity of a young newlywed, Angela Vicario. When she was thrown back into her parents’ home, her twin brothers Pedro and Pablo went out to murder Nasar to regain their family honor.
Though the novel is not wordy, there is much detail in the book. The setting and the culture of the town were both greatly described. You can see how the culture influences the life and happenings in the novel. For one, women have far less rights than men do. Men have different responsibilities and there are basic obligations of religion and honor. You can almost justify the murder actions based on the common “machismo” viewpoint, where the man is the head of the house, needing to keep his honor and pride intact to protect his family and his own dignity.
Another asset of the novel is the flawless writing, the writing that immerses you, yet is easy to understand. Though the writing seems to be scattered and unorganized, the structure of each chapter and where it was placed was perfect and well thought out. Though you know the ending at the start of the book, it still grips you and surprises you. I reread the ending multiple times, trying to understand it more. The magical realism strikes the reader in many ways, causing them to wonder and analyze the ending.
Though the book has many positive assets, there are a few points that make it slightly-less desirable to read, the main one being the writing style. The writing was wonderful, but sometimes one would get caught up in the literature and lose sight of the story, or vice versa. Sometimes I would immerse myself in the beautiful literature and end up rereading because I did not fully grasp what happened. Furthermore, the order of the novel, though precise, was jumbled. The order at times was confusing, especially when trying to figure out what part of the novel the chapter is starting, or where the events of that chapter were taking place.
Overall, however, the novel is worth reading. The magical realism of the events and the utter shock of seeing a whole town with the knowledge of a murder that was going to happen, watching as they did not speaking up, are terrifically moving. From cultural reasons to inner hate, to even an admiration of the murderers, we see the horrors behind the town. The novella makes a reader think and ponder cultural aspects as well as morality behind the events taking place.
If you enjoy short novels packed with information, crime stories and elaborate death scenes, this novel is for you. The puzzling writing yet easy read will draw you in, teaching you about Latin American culture in a quick story, one that will stick with you long after you finish reading it. The magical realism will have you wondering what is real and what is not. Each word will leave you thinking and pondering. I highly recommend this novella.
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Oct 16, 2008 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: do-you-believe-in-magic

I'm fairly certain that if I tallied up all the times friends and co-workers have told me that I must read a certain author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez would hold the top spot for sheer number of recommendations. I'm a little surprised it's taken me so long to get around to reading one of his books, and a slender one at that. But it's a start, and better late than never, and probably another cliché or two I just can't think of at the moment. But on to the book itself.

One of the most interesting thin...more I'm fairly certain that if I tallied up all the times friends and co-workers have told me that I must read a certain author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez would hold the top spot for sheer number of recommendations. I'm a little surprised it's taken me so long to get around to reading one of his books, and a slender one at that. But it's a start, and better late than never, and probably another cliché or two I just can't think of at the moment. But on to the book itself.

One of the most interesting things about this story to me is how many angles we can see the very limited events leading up to the same death from without it becoming dull and repetitive. The mother, friends, sister of a friend, purported lover, purported lover's brothers, neighboring shopkeepers, houekeeper's daughter, and housekeeper of the deceased all weigh in. The range of guilt of the individuals, and, as an overtone, the guilt of the whole community for collectively assuming someone else would warn Santiago Nasar of his intended demise, or that the brothers wouldn't go through with it, or that for whatever other reason there was no need to stop it.
I love that the death is in no way a ta-da moment, although the viciousness with which it is carried out is somewhat horrifying. Even the title refuses to hide the single primary action of the book from us. If the murder was only revealed near the end, then that action itself might be the point of the book, but since the murder is treated as an accomplished fact already from the beginning of the book, the point seems to be more about the reaction of the community to the threat of murder. This community psyche element makes it a much more interesting book than it would be otherwise.

There is also an interesting side effect of having the tale of this death, and the days leading up to it, told from so many angles. The reader ends up feeling that a series of unavoidable coincidences is building up against Santiago Nasar. Generally, books whose plots rely on coincidence feel thin and obvious and fail to connect for me. Somehow, though, they worked here. I think this is in part because we see the events from so many viewpoints in what seems to be a very small town. Yes, it is a coincidence that so many people assumed he had already been warned, or that he turned into his girlfriend's home right when the friend intending to warn him went looking for him, or that the sheriff made a stop on the way to take the second set of knives away from the brothers. But these are coincidences that stack up in a true-to-life way. We are, after all prepared for the brothers to have access to a second set of knives because of their profession, and it makes sense for the citizens of the town to be sluggish today because of the previous night's party, and distracted because of the bishop's visit. Many of the coincidences caught my attention just long enough for me to put the pieces together and realize that the groundwork necessary for them to make sense had already been put in place.(less)

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Feb 20, 2010 Tasneem rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: wish-to-read, 2010

هذه هي تجربتي الثانية مع العظيمين ماركيز/ علماني
و للحق فإن هذه الرواية القصيرة قد تركتني مذهولة بالرغم من أن النهاية معروفة من الصفحة الأولى فيها و ربما من قبل ذلك .. من العنــوان.

و لكن لـ ماركيز/ علماني أسلوب آسر لا تملك حياله إلا أن تُذكر نفسك بالتنفس خوفاً من تنسى أن تتنفس في خضم انجذابك للأحداث.

بعد الحب في زمن الكوليرا .. كنت أعرف أن علاقتي بــ ماركيز/علماني .. ستظل للأبد

أوجعتني هذه الرواية و بالرغم من النهاية المؤكدة من السطر الأول أو من العنوان لو أردنا أن نتحرى الدقة.. إلا أني إنتظرتُ سحر...more

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May 14, 2013 Perry Whitford rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Waking with a bad head after wild marriage celebrations, Santiago Nasar is going to be murdered, and most of the town knows it yet nobody prevents it from happening. Told twenty plus years later by a friend returning to the town and reliving the day with some of the witnesses who remember it, "trying to put the broken mirror of memory back together from so many scattered shards", Nasar's bloody murder is carried out in the face of a thousand obstacles- most pointedly the unwillingness of the mur...more

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Apr 09, 2013 Abdullah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

آمن الجميع بحماقة هيتشكوك أحد أهم المخرجين السينمائيين في العالم عندما قرر أن يقتل بطلة فيلمه الجديد بعد عشرين دقيقة و لم يحُل بينه و بين ذلك رفض شركة الإنتاج تمويل فيلمه الشهير " سايكو " الذي حقق نجاحاً عظيماً فيما بعد - إن لم يعدّ أكثر أفلامه نجاحاً -.

ماركيز ضارباً بالتشويق عرض الحائط يكتب بالسطر الأول نهاية روايته التي يقول عنوانها كل شيء تقريباً. بل يكرر ذلك في مقاطع أخرى بشيء من الاستفزاز. سانتياغو نصار المنحدر من أصول عربية يلقى مصرعه بأبشع ما يمكن حيث يتم تقطيعه إرباً بسكاكين خاصة بقتل ا...more
آمن الجميع بحماقة هيتشكوك أحد أهم المخرجين السينمائيين في العالم عندما قرر أن يقتل بطلة فيلمه الجديد بعد عشرين دقيقة و لم يحُل بينه و بين ذلك رفض شركة الإنتاج تمويل فيلمه الشهير " سايكو " الذي حقق نجاحاً عظيماً فيما بعد - إن لم يعدّ أكثر أفلامه نجاحاً -.

ماركيز ضارباً بالتشويق عرض الحائط يكتب بالسطر الأول نهاية روايته التي يقول عنوانها كل شيء تقريباً. بل يكرر ذلك في مقاطع أخرى بشيء من الاستفزاز. سانتياغو نصار المنحدر من أصول عربية يلقى مصرعه بأبشع ما يمكن حيث يتم تقطيعه إرباً بسكاكين خاصة بقتل الخنازير على يد الأخوين فيكاريو - بداعي الشرف - فالأخت التي عادت صبيحة اليوم التالي لزواجها المهيب و الذي كان الزواج الأشهر في القرية لم تكن عذراء. و بتحريض من خمر القصب و الحنق يخرج الأخوان بسكاكينهم الخاصة ليعلنوا للجميع بما في ذلك العمدة و الكولونيل و الكاهن و بقية أفراد القرية عن نية القتل. البعض لا يؤمن بقدرتهم على ذلك و البعض الآخر يعتقد أن لا حاجة لتحذيره فلم يحدث أن قُتِل أحدهم بهذه الدعايات الخرقاء. بينما تصمت البقية بكل لامبالاة و سلبية. حتى الكولونيل بكل وداعة قام بتجريدهم من أسلحتهم و صرفهم للنوم عندما التقى بهم قبيل حدوث الفاجعة بساعتين. عندما يقتلونه لاحقاً سنجدهما يركضان إلى الكنيسة للاعتراف ببرائتهما و بجريمة القتل أيضاً. ليس لدافع الشرف فقط بل لأنهما قد أخبرا الجميع و لم يثنهما أحد عن فعلتهما تلك! بكل كانا قد نصبا كمينهما في المكان الذي يمكَن الجميع من رؤيتهما و ياللسخرية فهو نفس المكان الذي من المستبعد جداً أن يسلك سنتياغو الطريق المؤدي إليه. و ماركيز إذ يتسائل عن القدر و مصير الإنسان و عاقبة أعماله لن يمنحك الفرصة حتى لتطمئن إلى أن سنتياغو نصار هو من هتك عذريتها. في الرواية يلقى اللوم بالكامل على المجتمع و يدين تصاعد العنف البشري و الوحشية التي لا يكف الإنسان عن تطويرها. استغرقت كتابة هذه الرواية ثلاثة عقود! لا، لم يكن يكتبها طوال تلك الفترة. بل كان يحملها في جنبه فسنتياغو ليس سوى كيتانو خينتلي صديق ماركيز المقرب! و الأخوين فيكاريو هما في الحقيقة تشيكا! و قد توسلت والدة ماركيز أن لا يدوّن هذه الأحداث في روايته و قد أطاعها حتى قضت أغلب الشخصيات الحقيقية نحبها - و إن تقدم عليه أحدهم بدعوى خاسرة في المحاكم الكولومبية مطالباً بتعويض لا يقل عن نصف مليون دولار -. فالرواية في طبعتها الأولى تجاوزت مليونين نسخة في رقم قياسي و فريد من نوعه. الراوي هو ماركيز و إن لم يصرّح بذلك يكفي أن نتذكر أن والدة الراوي تحمل اسم والدته كما سنجد ميرثيدس زوجته و أخته المفضلة مارغوت و أخويه أيضاً.

رواية عبقرية تزيد عن المئة صفحة و ما لا يمكنني نسيانه أبداً هو مشهد سنتياغو نصار حين تأتيه الأصوات تدعوه للحذر من كل جانب و هو يمضي بكل عزم نحو الفاجعة.(less)

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Apr 11, 2011 Traveller rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: translated, reviewed, magical-realism, latin-america

Brilliantly told....

I've just re-read this novel; and I've just remembered why it stuck with me after reading it the first time.

I have since learned that the novella is based on a true story, in which the author himself had been involved. This caused the book to carry even more of a disturbing impact for me.

The novel (novella? it's rather short) starts off in detective/journalistic investigative fashion; at first it seems casual and desultory; the narrator seems to be merely reporting. However,...more Brilliantly told....

I've just re-read this novel; and I've just remembered why it stuck with me after reading it the first time.

I have since learned that the novella is based on a true story, in which the author himself had been involved. This caused the book to carry even more of a disturbing impact for me.

The novel (novella? it's rather short) starts off in detective/journalistic investigative fashion; at first it seems casual and desultory; the narrator seems to be merely reporting. However, in spite of the text having the discipline and surface appearance of a journalistic style, when you realise that the author himself was emotionally impacted by the events, it dawns on you that the author has been attempting to work through his own horror and grief and helplessness at the events described in the book. The disciplined style in which he narrates, and the way in which he arranges the seemingly eclectic (but upon reflection obviously thoughtfully arranged) recollections, adds to the haunting and reflective qualities of the narration.

It is only at the very end of the book that the author exposes one to the more visceral horror of the events, and here the journalistic, almost dispassionate narrative style serves to very effectively portray the horror inherent in this death that was so thoroughly foretold.

The material has been so cleverly arranged that the narration picks up in emotional impact as the "investigation" develops, and the story finishes off with a visceral climax that leaves you feeling as if you had been punched in the solar plexus.

It is a brilliant look at a set of events that was precipitated not only by acts, but by a certain mindset, - a single sexual act (the deflowering of Angela Vicario) ended up affecting an entire town, and the effects could still be felt twenty seven years later.

At the start of his investigation the author sets out to seek answers as to the "why" the death happened. Throughout the book he presents a thousand "if only's"; - of instances of how the death could have been avoided if only this or that had happened slightly differently.

The townspeople seem to believe it was a fait accompli because it was either ordained by fate, or, since it was a deed of "honour" within a certain religious mindset, it "had to" be done.

I get the feeling that these are not the sentiments of the author himself though, and that at the end, he is left with the same rage of helpless incomprehension; which is yet subtly laced with a certain fatalistic acceptance, that he leaves the reader with. The most ironic twist for me was that it was the victims' own mother, who, at the very end, while actually trying to save her son, unwittingly finally sealed his fate.

PS. It would seem that whomever did the Goodreads description introducing the novel, got hold of the wrong plot. It doesn't describe quite the correct set of events that take place in the novel, or even the actual POV of the novel, but oh, well...(less)

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Sep 04, 2008 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of Marquez for sure

True to its title, "Chronicle" re-investigates a murder that takes place 27 years earlier. What seems at first a cut and dry case, becomes an interwoven tale of abrupt accusations and tragic misunderstanding. As the reader discovers, the entire event almost never happens, numerous times, and by the time it actually takes place, it seems that in all the town, only the victim himself is unaware that it is his day to die. This is achieved with nothing less than Marquez's affinity for dark humor and...more

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Aug 14, 2008 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As is typical in Garcia Marquez, you know what is going to happen plot-wise (Santiago Nasar gets murdered) in the first sentence of the book. However, what happens is not quite as important, or interesting, as what has happened to every other person in that town around this event, moving backwards and forwards in time. Santiago's murder is merely the event around which the entire character of the town is put into relief.
I gave this three stars, because it felt a little formulaic. The way the nar...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Walid Elalfy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

هناك فارق كبير بين ان تقرأ جارسيا ماركيز بترجمه العبقرى صالح علمانى وان تقراءه بترجمه اخرى.
روايه قصيره تحتوى على تفاصيل وتعقيدات كثيره
قتيل يقتل ولا يعرفه هو لماذا ولا نعرف نحن ايستحق القتل ام لا ؟
حادثه انتقام للشرف فى مجتمع اقرب للبيئه العربيه وللماساه القتيل من اصول عربيه !!
من اول صفحه تعرف ان هناك جريمه قتل وتعرف القاتل وتعرف المقتول ولكن الغموض لايفارقك حتى الصفحه الاخيره
ابداع اخر من ابداعات ماركيز يستحق القراءه

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Nov 21, 2011 Heather Lopez rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was really good. The authors writing style is a bit backwards. Marquez tells the story almost from end to beggining. He reveals the death of the main character in his first few lines of the first chapter. From then on the book consists of commentary on how the death unfolded. The consensus of the characters in the story is that the death of the main character could have been foretold had the characters realized it wasn't all just a joke. By the time you reach the end of the story you...more

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Dec 28, 2008 Paula Malozowski rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Gabriel Garcia Marquez has written two wonderful books: Love in the Time of Cholera and 100 Years of Solitude. All of his other books, in my opinion are an amalgam of these two wonderful books. If you've read those two, you're good to go.

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Sep 26, 2012 Kalliope rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is such a well-crafted book in its structure and language that I may have to re-read it now that I just finished it.

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May 26, 2012 Lubna ALajarmah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, قرأته-pdf

رواية ماركيز كـ قرص دائري من المعجنات .. من أي مكان تأكله سيكون لذيذا .. والرواية بالأصل بأحداثتها وانسيابيتها تمثل هذا القرص الدائري .. فماركيز يأخذك الى بداية القصة ثم يروي تفاصيل بعد عشرين عاما من وقوع الجريمة .. ثم يعيدك لقبل وقوع الجريمة بدقائق .. ثم يتحدث عن ليلة الزفاف .. وكل ذلك بأسلوب مدهش وبطريقة لا تزيدك إلا إثارة ولا تملأك إلا شغفا للمتابعة واتمام القراءة .. هذا هو الماركيز .. الأستاذ

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Feb 28, 2013 Rise added it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It isn’t right that everybody should know that they’re going to kill her son and she the only one who doesn’t.

Chronicle of a Death Foretold can really stand another rereading. There is still a lot to be mined for such a short book, a novella in fact. Gabriel García Márquez has so imbued the book with folk wisdom and traditional beliefs that I find that this is not one of those ‘magical realist’ works that has everyone gasping in disbelief. It is rooted in its own domestic atmosphere of news and...more

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May 22, 2009 Nicole added it · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone

Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a short and sweet novella that is a must-read for the magical realist genre. Its opening paragraph is an attention grabber that makes the mind ponder to read more.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez narrates the story from the perspective of a native small town boy, returning twenty seven years after the brutal murder of Santiago Nasar. Throughout the story, the events leading up to Santiago's death are replayed over and over again by different peopl...more

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Jan 26, 2009 Alex rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

we read in class for english
english hw
Bayardo San Roman is a strange man remarked by all this way. He appears one day in the town every one thought he was mysterious. Although in the town “nobody knew what he’d come for”(26). He came to the town to search for a wife. Every one described him as enchanting and the best at everything. He was in this thirties but it was hard to tell by the way he was built. He stayed in the town looking for a person that could be his wife a one day wile he was slee...more

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Jun 10, 2013 Shashank Garg rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I think this book deserved more. In such a tiny tale, there is hardly any time given to development of the plot. It is a disjointed series of narratives, which could have been much more lively, had the author threaded them more sincerely. But as it happens, it is much more mundane, even with the elements of the previous book One Hundred Years of Solitude.

It is the story of man who is murdered for honour, but it is never clear if he was the one who should have been murdered. It is always ambiguou...more I think this book deserved more. In such a tiny tale, there is hardly any time given to development of the plot. It is a disjointed series of narratives, which could have been much more lively, had the author threaded them more sincerely. But as it happens, it is much more mundane, even with the elements of the previous book One Hundred Years of Solitude.

It is the story of man who is murdered for honour, but it is never clear if he was the one who should have been murdered. It is always ambiguous, in a story of this type, that is for sure, but one expects more from this particular author.

There is no magical realism in this book. It is a plain, non linear account of the death of a young man pieced together twenty-seven years after his demise, from the testimonies of witnesses and the players, everyone involved in the drama.

Having read One Hundred Years of Solitude it is difficult to come to terms with such an ordinary narrative. It is surely better than a lot of other authors but sadly, no contender for the praise that was garnered by the previous book.

One thing about it which has been much in hype, but which I failed to find in it, was the guilt of the society over the murder. There was an absence of guilt really. People remembered the episode fondly, but there was nothing akin to realization of their own impotence in the prevention of the tragedy. Only those closest to the deceased regret having not informed him.

And it is also untrue that no one tried to save him. There were people, unrelated, who did not love him but wanted to save the twins from becoming murderers.

In the end, the man died, not because of the fascination of the town with witnessing a murder, but because of their general disbelief that such a thing was possible. He might have died because of a lie. He also might have died because of a coincidence, that his mother shut the door in his face without seeing him. It turns out that it might have been fate. But out of so many players, the town itself and the closer kin individually cannot be held responsible for his death.

I think I will never understand the intent of this book. It may have been a commentary on the lethargy which prevails in a society making it vulnerable to any tragedy, or on the evil fascination with which the purveyors of such deeds let them go on, but it is not an absolute gem among its likes or a genuine heartfelt truth.(less)

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Jun 04, 2013 Natasha Gj rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reseñados-en-nanny-books, 2013

La novela breve de Gabriel García Márquez es singular, desde un principio te enfrentas al texto sabiendo que uno de los personajes va a morir, pero lo más singular es el hecho de que el narrador es un amigo del protagonista, que reconstruye los hechos años después aferrándose a ciertas dudas: ¿qué clima había ese día?, ¿por qué nadie le avisó al protagonista que iba a morir?, ¿realmente era justificada su muerte?, ¿qué hay de verdad en todo esto?

Bayardo San Román, solo unas horas después de su...more

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May 13, 2013 Alessandra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"[...] soprattutto, non gli parve mai giustificato che la vita si servisse di tante casualità proibite alla letteratura, perché si compisse senza ostacoli una morte tanto annunciata.

[...] La mia impressione personale è che morì senza capire la propria morte".

Ma, fondamentalmente, in quanti riescono realmente a capire il significato della propria fine? Quanti 'se ne vanno' lasciandosi alle spalle consapevolezza e comprensione di ciò che è stato e di ciò che sta accadendo?
La mia impressione perso...more "[...] soprattutto, non gli parve mai giustificato che la vita si servisse di tante casualità proibite alla letteratura, perché si compisse senza ostacoli una morte tanto annunciata.

[...] La mia impressione personale è che morì senza capire la propria morte".

Ma, fondamentalmente, in quanti riescono realmente a capire il significato della propria fine? Quanti 'se ne vanno' lasciandosi alle spalle consapevolezza e comprensione di ciò che è stato e di ciò che sta accadendo?
La mia impressione personale e la mia risposta a questi due quesiti fondamentali, citando e prendendo spunto dal testo, è che non solo Santiago Nasar, protagonista indiscusso di questo romanzo, ma l'intera razza umana muore senza capire la propria morte. Qualsiasi essa sia.

Santiago Nasar, dicevo, protagonista indiscusso del romanzo, è un ragazzo belloccio, dell'età di ventun anni, proveniente e facente parte di una famiglia agiata trasferitasi nei territori dell'America del sud dove, per l'appunto, tutto l'intreccio del racconto viene ad essere formato.
Santiago dovrà essere ucciso. A questo penseranno Pedro e Pablo Vicario (cognome emblematico per quanto riguarda le figure di questi due personaggi che appunto si trovano a dover portare avanti e ad organizzare quello che poi sarà un efferato omicidio, in nome di quel crudele mandante chiamato 'onore'. Li chiamano così, Vicari).
Santiago verrà crudelmente ucciso e, al piccolo villaggio chiamato Manaure, non c'è abitante che non ne sia a conoscenza...compreso, ad un certo punto, anche lo stesso Nasar.

Partendo dal fatto e essendo consapevoli del fatto che quello che avete di fronte è un romanzo tratto da degli episodi realmente accaduti, quale sarebbe la vostra reazione se un bel giorno vi svegliaste e delle persone a voi care vi si presentassero di fronte e vi dicessero che la vostra fine è ormai prossima, che state per essere vittime di uno sporco delitto? Come reagireste se vi dicessero che dei coltelli da macellaio stanno per essere conficcati all'altezza della vostra gabbia toracica? Smettereste di guardare la tv? E quale sarebbe il primo luogo dove vi rifugereste? Oppure, affrontereste il nemico valorosamente?(less)

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May 06, 2013 Hani rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

http://www.abjjad.com/review/1984987159

ماذا يمكن القول عن هذه الرواية قليلة الصفحات سوى أنها كانت مفاجأة !

شيء نادر هو أن تُكتب رواية معلوم نهايتها منذ صفحاتها الأولى, بل ربما تمكنّتَ من استنتاج بقية السيناريو بمجرد الإنتهاء من ربع الروابة -تقريبا, خاصة إذا رافقك العنوان أثناء القراءة ولم تنسه, ثم بعد كل ذلك.. تستمر في القراءة دون ملل, بل على العكس تماما, بمنتهى التشوّق والترقّب.. فعلا شيء رائع !

على الرغم من صغر الرواية, إلّا أنه يعيبها, كعادة ماركيز, الإستخدام المفرط للأسامي والأشخاص; كم عدد الأ...more http://www.abjjad.com/review/1984987159

ماذا يمكن القول عن هذه الرواية قليلة الصفحات سوى أنها كانت مفاجأة !

شيء نادر هو أن تُكتب رواية معلوم نهايتها منذ صفحاتها الأولى, بل ربما تمكنّتَ من استنتاج بقية السيناريو بمجرد الإنتهاء من ربع الروابة -تقريبا, خاصة إذا رافقك العنوان أثناء القراءة ولم تنسه, ثم بعد كل ذلك.. تستمر في القراءة دون ملل, بل على العكس تماما, بمنتهى التشوّق والترقّب.. فعلا شيء رائع !

على الرغم من صغر الرواية, إلّا أنه يعيبها, كعادة ماركيز, الإستخدام المفرط للأسامي والأشخاص; كم عدد الأشخاص الذين ذُكروا في موضع واحد فقط في الرواية.. كثير ! مرهقةٌ تلك الكثرة في استخدام الأسامي..

"القدر يجعلنا غير مرئيين".. جملة خطّها قاضي التحقيقات على هامش محضر القضية, تحمل الكثير من المعاني, وتحمل الكثير من الحقيقة كذلك ! وربما, نسجَ ماركيز كل قصته هذه من أجل إثبات صحة تلك الحقيقة فقط.. ربما ؟ نعم.. ربما !

حقيقةٌ (جملة) أخرى أعجبتني : "كانت تفكر بأنه لا وجود لبنات أفضل منهنّ تربية, وكنت أسمعها تقول باستمرار : إنهن كاملات, وأي رجل سيكون سعيدا معهن, لأنهن تربين ليتألمن". ذكي هذا الماركيز.. !

ــــــــ

يستند محور الرواية حول قضية الشرف; شرف فتاة أعادها زوجها إلى بيت أهلها في ليلة الزفاف, عندما اتضح له أنها ليست بعذراء, وكيف أثارت تلك القضية حفيظة أخويها, في الإنتقام لشرفها أو شرفهما وشرف العائلة....ووووو.(less)

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Apr 01, 2013 ★Loredana★ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Mi sento tanto un elefante in una cristalleria... chi sono io che oso commentare un capolavoro della letteratura contemporanea? Ma siamo matti? Io piccola e modesta lettrice da salotto e da spiaggia, me misera, me tapina, chi sono io per commentare, giudicare, dire "m'è piaciuto, non m'è piaciuto"? Ma me ne guardo bene... ok, vediamo che vien fuori...
C'era una volta... ogni libro di Gabriel Garcìa Màrquez sembrerebbe dover cominciare così, e sebbene sia ambientato in un contesto reale, ci si asp...more Mi sento tanto un elefante in una cristalleria... chi sono io che oso commentare un capolavoro della letteratura contemporanea? Ma siamo matti? Io piccola e modesta lettrice da salotto e da spiaggia, me misera, me tapina, chi sono io per commentare, giudicare, dire "m'è piaciuto, non m'è piaciuto"? Ma me ne guardo bene... ok, vediamo che vien fuori...
C'era una volta... ogni libro di Gabriel Garcìa Màrquez sembrerebbe dover cominciare così, e sebbene sia ambientato in un contesto reale, ci si aspetta da un momento all'altro un folletto, un incantesimo, una pozione.
Sebbene, in questo caso, il titolo sia così chiaro ed esplicito, che di più non si potrebbe, per tutto il libro aleggia un'atmosfera ovattata, di sospensione, di attesa, come se il lettore aspetti un deus ex-machina che rimetta ogni cosa al suo posto, e che il finale non sia quello che ci si aspetta. E' per l'appunto una favola amara, la favola amara della vita... ci sono così tante coincidenze, così tanti indizi, da poter indurre qualunque lettore, anche il meno ignorante (ma ci saranno poi lettori ignoranti, o è un ossimoro?) a pensare che il finale potrebbe essere diverso da quello annunciato, appunto, dal titolo. Aleggia la morte in ogni pagina, eppure ci sono così tanti personaggi da non poter credere che nessuno di loro, assassini compresi, abbia potuto fermare la ruota del destino con un passo falso, un passo indietro, con una sosta in più o in meno, con una porta chiusa anzichè aperta... questa è magia, l'ineluttabile magia del destino e di questo capolavoro letterario, perchè, come in una tragedia classica che si rispetti, sembra che sia stato il Fato, inteso quasi come divinità pensante e capricciosa, e non i vari personaggi, individui sì, ma anche Coro e entità unica, a decidere la morte di un uomo. Tutto è compiuto dalla prima pagina, dall'incipit che più esplicito e spietato non potrebbe essere: Il giorno che l'avrebbero ucciso Santiago Nasar si alzò alle 5.30 del mattino, eppure il ritmo narrativo è quello di una spy-story, di una sceneggiatura moderna, di una regia con telecamere puntate in ogni angolazione della scena... ecco perchè viene fuori un capolavoro senza tempo, perchè solo un mago della scrittura in odore di Nobel avrebbe potuto scrivere una storia moderna dal sapore classico, senza tempo... in una parola, immortale.(less)

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About Gabriel García Márquez

Gabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez is a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist. García Márquez, familiarly known as "Gabo" in his native country, is considered one of the most significant authors of the 20th century. In 1982, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

He started as a journalist, and has written many acclaimed non-fiction works and short st...more

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