Love in the time of Canada

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Garcia Marquez has told another amazing story with Love in the Time of Cholera. The story follows Fermina Daza and Florentino Ariza from a short-lived fling in their youth through a deeper love found when they are reunited in their 70s. Garcia Marquez tells a story similar to how his own parents met and his strong admiration for their relationship shines throughout the novel. He challenges us to understand, with a brave simplicity, a love that is strong enough to still burn strong after 51 years, nine months, four days, and 622 affairs. The marriage of Fermina Daza to Dr. Juvenal Urbino is so believable that I can recognize some of those potential arguments in my own married future. Fermina's devastating loss of Juvenal and later disgust with Florentino are written with a style that breaks down barriers between author and reader so that by the tie you finish the book you wish you could discuss the plot with the characters. While Garcia Marquez is often touted as 'the fabulous Columbian author', I would argue that his books are amazing not because of where he's from, but the solitude, love and heartache that he conveys with such emotion. His unique talent allows all of us to further understand what it means to be human.