Review: Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez
Gabriel García Márquez is an author I’ve come across time and time again, since I entered the book blogging world, and I’ve always known I needed to read him at some point. But his ‘big’ novels looked a little intimidating! So when I came across this novella on Eva’s site towards the end of last year I knew I this was the entry book I was looking for!
Returning to his home town some twenty years after the murder of Santiago Nasar, our narrator attempts to unravel what happened on the fateful day, and why a whole town could have been aware of what was about to happen and yet do nothing to stop it.
It’s an examination of (and I suspect criticism of) machismo.The two brothers that carry out the murder, do so, more because tradition dictates they must avenge their sisters ‘honour’ than any real wish to carry out such an act.
This is a murder mystery that is more about how it can have happened, than the who, and why.
Everything I’ve been told about the wonderfulness of Márquez’s writing is true, and I’ll certainly be attempting one of his longer works in the near future!
‘The truth is I didn’t know what to do,’ he told me. ‘My first thought was that it wasn’t any business of mine but something for the civil authorities, but then I made up my mind to say something in passing to Placida Linero.’ Yet when he crossed the square, he’d forgotten completely. ‘You have to understand,’ he told me, ‘that the bishop was coming that day.’
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This is my favourite Marquez work so far, with One Hundred Years of Solitude a very close second (despite the vague decade-old recollection). I’d recommend Of Love and Other Demons next before the novels or his short stories especially the wonderful, amazing, brilliant Innocent Erendira.
Claire (Paperback_Reader)´s last blog ..Tuesday Teaser and Trivia
I’m glad to hear you liked it! I plan to start with Love in the Time of Cholera.
Amanda´s last blog ..Death Book Hour #14: Issues
Hope you like it as much as I enjoyed this one!
I don’t know why, but I’m extremely intimidated by Marquez. I have a couple of books, but I haven’t read one of them.
Maybe I should start with a novella. Food for thought!!
Stephanie´s last blog ..Essays – Couldn’t Keep it To Myself
He’s really worth the effort, I think a shorter book just makes that first step easier.
Nice to see you getting a bit more ‘high brow’ Darren (not that I didn’t think you couldn’t or wouldn’t). And you’re right, Márquez is exquisite isn’t he? I hope you dip into him again in the near(ish) future.
Warmest
Rob
Rob´s last blog ..Reading Journal: Wednesday 27th January 2010
Well, I do like to mix it up occasionally, keeps things interesting!
How neat that you found a novella by him! The only books of his that I had heard of were his longer ones, and I’ve been intimidated by them. I tried to read One Hundred Years of Solitude, and gave up about a third of the way in. Maybe I’ll give it a try again someday.
Alyce´s last blog ..My Favorite Reads – January 28
He’s a pretty intimidating author I think, so was glad I could find a shorter one to try!
Sounds good! I’ll definitely be adding this one to my list
You really should try out Love in the Time of Cholera! It’s a very quiet novel, but damn it’s good!
Chris´s last blog ..Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species: A Graphic Adaptation by Michael Keller
I certainly want to try some more of his stuff!
I have never even heard of this book by him before!
Kailana´s last blog ..Graphic Novel Day
Cool
I’ve introduced a book to Kelly! 
By the way, should be able to start the Coupland next week!
I think this may even be my favorite of his!
Lenore´s last blog ..Friday Fabulous! (19) – On a Saturday…
I read No One Writes to the Colonel a few months back and really liked that novella too. Some of his other works though, I just can’t get into them. No idea why.
Ms. SP´s last blog ..I’ve Lost Little Women