From the Bookshelf of Closter Public Library…

[close] This is another one of those books I can admire without actually loving. It is a bit hard to get through, and often confusing (there is a glossary in the front, but so many people share the same name) , and yet there is something very compelling about the book. It tells the story of Colonel Buendia who has 17 sons (all named Aureliano) by 17 different women. They all come to the Colonel's house the same day. There are weird (guess this is where the "magical realism" comes through) things happening that no one seems to notice. I did enjoy the dark humor and the descriptive writing (I never know whether to praise the author or translator), found it a slow read, and yet find myself still thinking about the book after finishing.