It doesn't happen every day

Memories of My Melancholy Whores

I fell in love with Márquez's writing style after reading In Evil Hour (La Mala Hora, 1961) and his last book - which I enjoyed a lot - was published in 2002, Living to Tell the Tale (Vivir Para Contarla) and it left me wanting more...
I started reading this book this afternoon at Starbucks (it was something that I haven't done in a while, just sit back, relax with a cup of coffee in front of me and give in to a book's atmosphere)...In case you already read the book, needless to say that I totally forgot what time it was. The novel was written by Marquez in 2004, translated in English in 2005...and I had my doubts buying it because all of the rather negative reviews it got: "The scenes and descriptions when the writing ignites are fewer and further between than in any earlier Garcia Marquez." (Amanda Hopkinson, The Independent ) or "Mr. García Márquez expects the reader to salute an ancient man's victory over a child, rather than see it as pathetic or monstrous" (Adam Kirsch, The New York Sun) or this one "It feels like a brittle little fable composed on automatic pilot." (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times )

My review? I've always like Márquez's writing style and I thought to myself, I won't let a bunch of negative reviews influence me in not buying/reading his last novel. And I was right: I really enjoyed the book, its authenticity, its simple but powerful language, its purity if you will. And like every other book Márquez wrote, this one is about obsession as well...what kind? That I will let you discover on your own...

posted by soranelle @ 7:06 PM