The first full and authorized biography of the 1982 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature—the most popular international novelist of the la...
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Jun 01, 2009
Bookmarks Magazine
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Critics agreed that Gerald Martin excels at everything a literary biographer needs to do. He searches for the origins of the author's style without becoming overly erudite or psychological, and offers "consistently first-rate readings" of his works (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Martin also places the great Latin American novelist in the context of world literature. But while some reviewers felt that if "Martin has left any stone unturned it's hard to imagine what that might be"
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Aug 18, 2009
R. Z.
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Amazing, just amazing. Gerald Martin kept me reading, barely able to put this book down. I must, however, warn that this remarkable book is probably aimed for a couple of special audiences: First,the readers who are big fans of Garcia Marquez and who have read many of his works. I am one of those. I was intrigued by the many insights that Martin gave into the writings of this Nobel prize-winning author, and the experiences that led him to writing his magical realism stories. Second, the rea
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Jul 12, 2009
Pmalcpoet
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Martin's biography is fully researched and meticulously documented, but I would have preferred if he had brought his subject more to life. Quotes from some of Garcia Marqez's contemporaries and friends are of interest, but the book is altogether too slow and pedantic. Garcia Marquez at Martin's hands feels like history, not like the watchful, perverse, humorous personality that brought diverse cultures to life under his pen. A nice reference for a serious student of literature, not much to offer
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Mar 25, 2010
Barbara
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A well-written book, although I read it in French translation. Certainly a complete account of Garcia Marquez's life and writing. What I found the most interesting was that much of GGM's writing was based on true events and people, even though it so often seems fantastical or magical.
However, I feel that it's often better to read the novels than the author's biography. Like other writers whose biographies I have read, (Bruce Chatwin comes to mind), GGM doesn't seem to be a very nice man.
However, I feel that it's often better to read the novels than the author's biography. Like other writers whose biographies I have read, (Bruce Chatwin comes to mind), GGM doesn't seem to be a very nice man.
Oct 26, 2009
Actually, I have not read the book, but I read a book review of it in a recent Nation magazine and am intrigued. I could not understand a lot of the review because many literary allusions went right over my head, but I did understand from the review how monumental a place Garcia Marquez holds in world literature. So for that reason I want to learn to appreciate his work, and because Esther and Fran have both read him, have spent time in Spanish speaking countries and understand magic realism be
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Apr 13, 2010
Nathan
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It's interesting that it took me several weeks to fully immerse myself in this book, but like Marquez, the story of his life was equally as intriguing as his novels. I couldn't wait to read the next chapter, and so on and so forth until I had completed the entire biography. It paints the picture just as I saw the man in my mind, which is precisely what one wants to hear from one of their literary heroes.
Mar 14, 2011
Jack
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This is a very comprehensive look into one of Latin Americas best writers.
The cultural and political references help you understand his novels.
Ive read a few of his books and found them to be great,but personally
I think he is a bit of a Parrandero and thouroughly overated.The General in his laybrinth was the worst telling of Historical fiction ive ever read.
The cultural and political references help you understand his novels.
Ive read a few of his books and found them to be great,but personally
I think he is a bit of a Parrandero and thouroughly overated.The General in his laybrinth was the worst telling of Historical fiction ive ever read.
Oct 24, 2010
His book, Love in the Time of Cholera, perhaps, the most moving romance book I have ever read. So utterly passionate, over a length of a lifetime...can't wait to read this to know more of the writer who's able to pen a book of such, almost unbelievable, depths of a love. (Anyone else want to vomit after reading that preview of mine?)
Jul 31, 2011
An intriguing account of the life of GGM; his family background that he uses so successfully in his writing; his fascination with power and the men who wield it; his continuing loyalty to Castro; his love/hate relationship with Colombia and his emergence as the literary voice of South America. Impeccably written and researched.
Sep 15, 2011
Aziz
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Saya tdak pernah membaca sebuah biography selengkap ini. Penelitian mendalam terhadap hampir semua sapek kehidupan GGM membuatkan bukan sahaja saya mengenal GGM seperti seorang sahabat lama malah perincian terhadap latar belakang serta peristiwa-peristiwa yang membentuk dan mengiringi perjalanan kepengarangan beliau juga membuatkan horizon pengetahuan saya terhadap sejarah dan politik Amerika Selatan sedikit meluas.
Dengan segala warna-warni yang mengiringi usia kepengarangan tokoh sastera More...
Dengan segala warna-warni yang mengiringi usia kepengarangan tokoh sastera More...
May 03, 2009
G
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More detailed than it has any right to be, with a keen sense of GGM's work and his relation to his culture, both politically and artistically. Martin gives us all the stories we could ever want about a life that's not much less wild than the characters that GGM wrote.
Feb 24, 2010
LorCon
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You may have thought GGM invented "magical realism" and made all that stuff up. It turns out, his novels and stories are basically documentaries of his own life. "Truth is stranger than fiction." Fascinating.
Jun 29, 2010
Sheree
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This book is massive, but I leave it by my bedside and try to read a few pages every few days. This author's Spanish is poetic, and his life story is extremely amusing.
Jan 11, 2010
Brenda
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This is a must read for fans of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I happen to think he is among the best writers on the planet. An extraordinary life helps to explain why he is such an imaginative and seductive writer. The breadth of the research is astonishing, if somewhat daunting, but never boring.
Jun 10, 2009
John
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If you want an even better understanding of his books, read this excellent biography and then - as I am doing - re-read One Hundred Years of Solitude!
Dec 03, 2009
Teresa
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Don't really like his writing style and the ways he investigated. However, it is a good reference about the writer. But without surprises...
Feb 07, 2011
Odai
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كنت قد قضيت فترة غير قصيرة في قراءة هذه السيرة فمن بحث فيها وسردها قضآ عمرا طويلا حتى يخرج بهذا الكتاب ولسيرة العظماء عبق وسحر لا يمكن أن يوصف فمابال من يتحدث عن أعظم روائي في التاريخ...كتاب رائع وطبعة فاخرة تستحق الاقتناء
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Jun 23, 2011
Ruben
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Awesome biography of a one-of-a-kind person. Gerald Martin apparently had hundreds of sources. The best parts were the explanations of how real life informed each monumental work. The worst parts were overly detailed descriptions of political figures and organizations. It definitely makes me want to read all of Garcia Marquez's books that I haven't read yet.
Aug 12, 2009
Patricia
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This was interesting , but way too detailed. More than I ever would care to know about one of my favorite authors. Needed a good editor!
May 03, 2011
Ana
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Very long and fairly boring. The political events and important writers didn't really mean much to me, but the book was very well researched and I did learn some interesting things about GGM.
Nov 14, 2009
Rachael
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Biographies usually make for tedious reading. This one was no exception!
