This book is set in an unnamed Colombian city on the Caribbean coast between 1870 and 1930, and a portion of the plot, especially later in the book, takes place on the riverboat docks. Florentino Ariza is a telegraph operator who eventually works his way up in his uncle’s riverboat company. As a young man Florentino falls in love with Fermina Daza. Florentino’s romantic attitude toward life shapes his obsession with Fermina that lasts fifty-one years, nine months, and four days. Fermina’s father takes her on an extended trip in the country to keep them apart, after which she decides that she doesn’t care for Florentino anymore. Fermina then weds Dr. Juvenal Urbino, who is dedicated to the eradication of cholera, at the age of 21.
This is a timeless story on the age-old concept of unrequited love. Florentino makes a vow of eternal love for Fermina and never married, waiting for the day when he could pursue Fermina, though he had many-many (over 600) romps with women in his many single years. The meticulously detailed descriptions draw you into the story at times and at other times it slows the plot down to a crawl. Garcia Marquez's story of life, love, and lust was a very insightful and challenging modern classic that will be with you always.
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