One Hundred Years of Solitude - pre-read

[Kaseadillla]

Hello all - starting up discussions for the NOVEMBER 2017 BOTMs. This discussion is for the group's poll selection for the CLASSICS category: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.

This discussion will be SPOILER-FREE. If you have already read the book and want to discuss, hop on over to the spoiler-filled discussion HERE .

Happy reading!
Kasey

[Marcos]

I'm in! :-)

[Sarah]

I plan on jumping in on this one after I finish The Night Circus.

[ｄａｎｉｅｌａ]

Currently on page 16! Is anyone else reading the spanish original? I'm trying.

[ParoLaro]

Hi! I'm new and I always wanted to read this book but always postponed the reading... well now I have a good motivation to start!

[vrenzy]

i am still waiting for this book to be delivered to me, super excited to join in.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Tremendous book, difficult but amazing.

[Kerri]

I don't want to think about how many years this book has been on my "To Read" list. So as soon as I can snag a copy I plan on jumping in finally! I look forward to everyone's thoughts!

[Martina]

I started this book yesterday evening but I have impression that so much is happening all the time that I am losing track of all the things, have to be concentrated 100% on every single sentence.

[ｄａｎｉｅｌａ]

Heads up guys. Make notes on the characters! I read half of the book when I was in high school, and let me tell you there are so many characters and they all have similar names! You have to, have to make notes to keep track.

Old mexican names are very repetitive, because the old traditions of naming after saints and such. Its not like that anymore, thank god, but you can really see in books like this one how we came to have such long names... as a way to distinguish one Maria from another Maria.

[Deb]

Daniela wrote: "Heads up guys. Make notes on the characters! I read half of the book when I was in high school, and let me tell you there are so many characters and they all have similar names! You have to, have t..."

I posted before in the spoilers thread about this - I read advice *not* to try to keep track of the characters, but rather to just let the whole thing wash over you. I read something that said to think of the main character as the family, rather than the individuals. When I did this, I found I enjoyed the book much, much more.

[Ulla]

Daniela, I have always wanted to read this one, but am hesitant whether to do it in Spanish. Are you reading the original version? What would you recommend?

[Marcos]

I'll read the Brazilian Portuguese translation.
As an introduction, I'm reading Garcia Marquez in 90 Minutes


Actually, the translation, García Márquez em 90 minutos

[ｄａｎｉｅｌａ]

Ulla wrote: "Daniela, I have always wanted to read this one, but am hesitant whether to do it in Spanish. Are you reading the original version? What would you recommend?"

I am! My aunt gave me her copy on one of her trips to the US years ago, so its one of those funky paperback ones! The type modeled after the schoolbooks kids write in.
Spanish is my first tongue, but my education was all in the United States... so despite the fact that I can read and write in Spanish, its nowhere near enough for me to say that reading this book in Spanish is as easy as reading an English classic. Just the other day I read a sentence to my mom so that she could translate it, because there's only so much google can do. So I say go for it if you have someone you can constantly ask for help, someone with an education in an Spanish speaking country. I recommend trying to read the first chapter, and if you can't at least make sense of half of it, its a no go.

The number one reason why I think its easier (if you can understand it) is the honorifics. Usted, Señora, Doña, etc are used, and it gives you an idea of who is who. Because, like I said, there are tons of Maria's, so when they say Usted, you know its one or another.

DebsD wrote: "Daniela wrote: "Heads up guys. Make notes on the characters! I read half of the book when I was in high school, and let me tell you there are so many characters and they all have similar names! You..."

I guess to each their own! I personally am quite stubborn about understanding each and every character, but I can see the story still being enjoyable if you just let it flow.

[Ulla]

Thanks Daniela, I think I will go for the original version, then!

[Gabriella]

I'm super excited about reading this book. I read Chronicle of a Death Foretold and really enjoyed it, but have put off reading One Hundred Years of Solitude. Thanks for the perspectives on navigating the many characters!

[Sarah]

I agree with “letting it wash over you.” Soooo many things are happening on every page that it would be easy to be lost in minutiae. I think reading this book may be more of an experience, an immersion, than a straight-up story.

[Mariana]

I read it when I was 15, after getting everywhere "you're too young for this book". Not only I loved it, it's not as hard as everyone makes you believe. I should re-read it again, now that life has told me a thing or two, to see what else I can get from it.

Enjoy it, it's really worth it

[Mariana]

DebsD wrote: "Daniela wrote: "Heads up guys. Make notes on the characters! I read half of the book when I was in high school, and let me tell you there are so many characters and they all have similar names! You..."

I agree with you, just let it flow like you great grandma is telling you the story of your family. Some characters are there but not relevant, just like you great granduncle that never got married and got lost in the jungle.

And remember, it's Colombian, similar to Mexican culture but only on the surface :D

[Mariana]

Daniela wrote: "Ulla wrote: "Daniela, I have always wanted to read this one, but am hesitant whether to do it in Spanish. Are you reading the original version? What would you recommend?"


Daniela and Ulla, you can always come to us Spanish speakers if there's any doubt on the phrasing

You're right Daniela about the honorifics. It's so hard for people like me who always treats older people respectfully but still calls them by their first names, to translate that treatment in English. You either feel too formal or disrespectful.

[ｄａｎｉｅｌａ]

Mariana wrote: "Daniela wrote: "Ulla wrote: "Daniela, I have always wanted to read this one, but am hesitant whether to do it in Spanish. Are you reading the original version? What would you recommend?"
Daniela ..."
Great! Will do!
I always use "ma'am, sir" to give some sign of respect... but many times people will stare at me or outright say they feel weird being called like that.
Funnily enough, I actually have to remind myself to use the honorifics in Spanish. My mom's side of the family doesn't use them, because they feel it makes them closer to call themselves "tu". I only use them when speaking to my grandparents... but that's about as far as respectful conversation goes. They prefer a rougher, jesting treatment. On my dad's side of the family they are quite strict about honorifics, but since I don't see them as often it gets forgotten.
edit: Oh, I did say Mexico instead of Colombia! Sorry, force of habit.

[Ulla]

Daniela wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Daniela wrote: "Ulla wrote: "Daniela, I have always wanted to read this one, but am hesitant whether to do it in Spanish. Are you reading the original version? What would you recomm..."

yes I also like to use the VD/sir treatment as a sign of respect in many areas of life (work and private) unless it the person specifically asks me not to do so. Call me old fashioned...

[Kerri]

I just started this today. I haven't run into any "Maria"s yet but I have a feeling the family tree at the beginning of the book will come in handy.

[ｄａｎｉｅｌａ]

Kerri wrote: "I just started this today. I haven't run into any "Maria"s yet but I have a feeling the family tree at the beginning of the book will come in handy."

Lol, there's not actually Maria's in the book, I think. I used it as a blanket statement, because allot of the names in the book are repeated or are very similar. Like the father, the son, the brother, and the grandson all have similar names starting with A. Allot of the names are repeated in the children and grandchildren, the only illusion to separate identities being that there's usually a different middle or first name added.

The reason I said Maria is because its a common thing to know many Maria's, but not call them Maria. My mom is names Maria Cristina, she only goes by Cristina. Her friend is Maria Theresa, but only goes by Theresa. Its common to ask a 40-50 yr old woman for her full name and find a Maria in there. Or a Jose. This goes both ways. The tradition has basically died, but its still a common factor, so I used it as a blanket statement to point out that you might have some issues recognizing each individual.

[Nick]

I have been reading little at a time for a few days. It is not the easiest book to read but I am sure it is well worth the effort. The common names may be confusing at times but I think people are making too big of a deal of it. It's not that complicated.

I have wanted to read this book forever. I am just glad I finally got started on it.

[Kerri]

Hey Daniella, thanks!! I was making a little (bad) joke but forgot my little smiley face 😅 Hahahahaha!! I have a little experience with names like this and so far am doing fine! 🙂

I am finding a lot of the story pretty funny so far actually, which is not what I was expecting at all. I like surprises like that!

[ｄａｎｉｅｌａ]

Kerri wrote: "Hey Daniella, thanks!! I was making a little (bad) joke but forgot my little smiley face 😅 Hahahahaha!! I have a little experience with names like this and so far am doing fine! 🙂

I am finding a ..."

I'm glad your liking it! Like I said, I've never finished it so I don't really know how it goes. Its a slow read for me, since I'm not used to reading in spanish.
I have a question for those reading the english version. If you're halfway into the book, then it won't spoil anything, since its fairly close to the beginning.
(view spoiler)[
When Rebeca had her tantrum because of the mud eating, how was it described? In spanish, I have a phrase that basically translates to "hieroglyphic convulsions". I've never heard this phrase before, so I was wondering how it was translated into english. Some of the descriptions are fun to read in spanish, since the author played with words allot, but I think it might have missed the mark when translated into english.
(hide spoiler)]

[Joanna Loves Reading]

I just started listening to the audio. I know I will have trouble with the characters, but it seems to be flowing well and is engaging.

[lucie]

hmm, now i am not sure if i pick this book..

[Joanna Loves Reading]

I am about 40% in. I was having trouble keeping track of the characters, but I am starting to pick up on a few. The girls tend to be easier to differentiate, since there are less repeating names. I am taking the wash-over-me tactic. If I reread I may try to pick the characters out more. Listening to this is great for washing over you. If you have Hoopla available, it's on there, and I really like the narrator.

[Brady]

I’m starting this super late, I know . But hey, better late than never, right? I’m excited to read this one because I haven’t read many Latino/a authors and it is a Nobel Prize winner!!

Here goes nothing!!

[Marcos]

Never mind, Brady, I'm probably as late as you are, but going on and enjoying! :-)

[Markus]

I am a little more than a 100 pages in now. And i'm having a reeeally hard time continuing. I think it's because of the lack of structure in the story. It seems to just flow, with stuff unfolding on the way and things just happening to people.

I get the fairytale-ish vibe and the magical realism. But it makes it really hard for me to be invested in any of the characters or the story itself.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to get motivated? Because otherwise this could be a "try to read it again in a few years" book for me

[Kaseadillla]

Marcos wrote: "Never mind, Brady,...
Brady wrote: "I’m starting this super late, I know..."

I still haven't started either... so behind.

[Kerri]

Markus wrote: "I am a little more than a 100 pages in now. And i'm having a reeeally hard time continuing. I think it's because of the lack of structure in the story. It seems to just flow, with stuff unfolding o..."

I had this problem too. I started out being really entertained by the story, but then it just went so long. I actually took a break and read a couple other things in the meantime, and when I came back it was entertaining again. So maybe take a break for a little bit?

[Markus]

Thanks! yes, I think I'll just parallel read other books :)

[Sarah]

Didn't get to this when planned, but I still have it from the library for another week, so I'm going to try to get it in anyway.

[Zainab]

Since there are no specific books set for July, it is an opportunity to do a great catch up on the catch up as we have decided in the "General Questions" Topic.

Few of us decided to catch up on 100 years of Solitude, and anyone is most welcome to join in.
Let's tackle this beast :D

[Catherine]

I just recently finished listening to this on audio; it was on my TBR pile and I wanted to finally read it. Glad you all are going back to this and I may contribute as the conversation continues.

[Ella]

Catherine wrote: "I just recently finished listening to this on audio; it was on my TBR pile and I wanted to finally read it. Glad you all are going back to this and I may contribute as the conversation continues."

How was the audio? I saw my library had a copy on audio, but I worried it would be too confusing for audio. I may reconsider.

[Catherine]

Actually, I really liked the audio. I thought it would be tough to follow as I'd heard about a lot of the names being very similar, but it allowed me to differentiate among the characters much more easily. The characters became more identifiable by their actions and less by their names.

[Ella]

Catherine wrote: "Actually, I really liked the audio. I thought it would be tough to follow as I'd heard about a lot of the names being very similar, but it allowed me to differentiate among the characters much more..."

Thanks, Catherine. I'll check out the audio then. Great!

[Marcos]

Yes, Zainab and I, at least, are reading "One Hundred years ..." in July!

I'll be a late starter, though, for most of my spare time right now is being captured by the Russia World Cup! :-)

[Ella]

That's fine, Marcos - I decided to squeeze in another short book before this one so I can read more carefully (I'm going w/ the paper book so I can make notes.)

[Ella]

Well, I finished my other book (thank goodness as it was horrible) and started this last night. I feel very resentful right now at work that I can't pick up 100 years b/c it drew me right in, and I'm loving it. (I'm also very thankful for the family tree page in the front of my edition - where I've been adding post-its with more notes as I read.) This is REALLY good writing too.

[Marcos]

It might interest anyone reading this: see message 13 on this page.

[Zainab]

Ella wrote: "Well, I finished my other book (thank goodness as it was horrible) and started this last night. I feel very resentful right now at work that I can't pick up 100 years b/c it drew me right in, and I..."

I am amazed on how different we feel.
I spent a whole month and I barly reached the half point. It is so boring that it made me hate reading or picking a book.

Generally, I would give up when reaching this point, but I spent more than 6 years wanting to read it so I am sloooowly pushing through it.

Anyone else still reading it?

[Marcos]

Zainab, it seems I'm a lost case with "One Hundred Years...."! :-) I didn't even manage to start!! :-DD

But if you're going on, I might still try!

[Mariana]

I read it at 15, after a lot of people telling me it was too much for my age. I want to read it again but I'm into some new readings now. But I loved it. The name thing is really difficult and I acknowledge that names in a foreign language are not organic and sound all the same (in fact in this book they're) so it can be hard to go beyond. But if you read it like a good telenovela it just flows :D

[Megan]

I’m still reading it too, Zainab. It’s slow going for me as well, while some of it is beautifully written, I find some of it tedious. I had to return it to the library before I’d finished and just got it out again. Trying to psych myself up to finish. I can see why so many people like it, with the surreal magical realism and the meaningful political commentary, but the weird family relationships, the pseudo incest and the repetitious names make it hard for me to enjoy.