One Hundred years of Solitude

When I commenced reading this masterpiece of art and creativity, it was prophesied “You would fall in love with this book by the time you finish�. ( Not something out of the cards of Pilar Ternera). Having read it, I must admit, I feel at least infatuated with the epic if not in true love.

A piece of pure fiction, rather magical realism, generates a mythical theme that floats somewhere between brutal reality and surreal fantasy gripping the reader during its intriguing discourse. From the extremes of prosperous and gay pinnacles to the abyss of miserable doom, it spans centuries weaving the events together giving a tormenting account of a fictitious family from glory to extinction. It is a tale of a symbolic town, isolated and secluded, from its very inception to annihilation as transcribed by an invisible hand. In its complete isolation it depicts a miniature or a prototype of the world, far from eutopic serenity and idealism, exposed to the tragedies and catastrophes of death, violence, epidemics, disease, genocide, civil wars and revolutions, conflicts, fate and destiny.

Carrying deep philosophical meanings and subliminal messages, drifting between strong undertones of humour and even satire and sympathizing pathos, the narration skims along the grave realities and conflicts known to a human soul. The literary tale embodies a diverse range of ideas and thoughts in its realm. Civil laws and human coexistence, institutions and beliefs like marriage, church and religion with all their antagonism are ingrained in the storyline. Circular dimension of time transcending centuries and a feeling of characters and events repeating themselves create an effect of déjà vu. By the end the circular history becomes so predictable that the writer had to assert

“There was no mystery in the heart of Buendia that was impenetrable for her because a century of cards and experience had taught her that the history of the family was a machine with unavoidable repetitions……�

Characters depicting supernatural potentials and tendencies are more human in their characteristics and attributes. They encounter death, disease, fate and destiny and a flood of emotions like any ordinary mortal of flesh and blood. Relationships and jealousies, love and lust, bliss and grief, hope and darkness all prevail and nurture mostly under the same roof. Inhibitions and taboos like incest are narrated in a mild tone and at best confront subdued protests and resentment if any.

Although it is more of a description of progressive events with author hardly appearing to take any firm positions or formulating any opinions, some of the excerpts are classic. The ones I found most noteworthy are

“If I have to be something I’ll be a Liberal� he said “because the Conservatives are tricky�

In the middle of desolate town on the brink of its destined death, utterly grieved and distressed Aureliano shouts with all his might

“Friends are a bunch of bastards!�

The last line of the literary masterpiece speaks for itself

“ ……..Everything written on them was unrepeatable since time immemorial and forever more, because races condemned to one hundred years of solitude did not have a second opportunity on earth.�

A non-literary person like me can barely scratch the surface of a great work of literature to relish and extract some superficial sense out of the treasure embedded with intense, multi dimensional and diverse allusions and metaphors. Nevertheless, it has been a great read. To sum up the mesmerizing tragic odyssey in one line I would quote the author again

“ The first of the line is tied to a tree and the last is being eaten by the ants.�

Is that the ultimate fate of the mankind?