Beastmomma

I am very slow with completing books this semester SUMMER , so I thought that it would be fun to have a progress report of my reading. This is an online reading group where all the participants set aside time to read every Sunday and blog about the experience

Thanks to a half hour flight delay, last night I was able to read a good chunk of Love in the time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Unfortunately, I was not able to post for The Sunday Salon until today. I have been reading this novel for almost two weeks and I admit that I was having a hard time getting through. Fortunately, last night I discovered that I am hooked. It was hard for me to stop reading when the plane landed and this morning I almost missed my metro stop because I was enjoying the book so much.

For Weekly Geeks 12, we were to ask our readers for questions for books that we have not reviewed yet. I still need to post a review of Maps (thanks for all the great questions) even though I missed the deadline for having the post be on time. Even though I have not finished Love in the Time of Cholera, I am still going to answer the questions some kind readers left for me.

Care asks:

I admit that Love in the Time of Cholera is a book that has intimidated me due to length. Have you seen the movie? How does it compare? if you haven't seen movie, are you looking forward to it? Doesn't this star Javier Bardem? Do you like him as an actor? What's your favorite movie with him in it?

I was also intimidated by reading this book because I struggled so hard to finish 100 Years of Solitude. People told me that Love in the Time of Cholera was easier to get through and I had my doubts. Now that I am halfway through the book, I am really hooked on the writing and the characters.

I did see the movie before I read the book and I felt more curious about reading the book. So far, I think that the movie is a very general outline of the book; in the beginning of my reading experience, I liked the movie better. Now, that I am knee deep in the beautiful prose and the intricate plot, I am enjoying the book more. Yes, the movie does star Javier Bardem. I like him very much as an actor. I have reviewed a few of his movies at my On the Screen Section. My favorite movie with him is the Sea Inside.

Birdlashes asks:

I've yet to read Love in the Time of Cholera, but I am interested in it and have read 100 Years of Solitude. How does "Cholera" compare in terms of Magical Realism? Are they similar styles, or is "Cholera" a much more "realistic" book?

I think that Cholera is more of a realistic book. The magic realism comes more from the character’s motivation to do things for love. I have not finished the book yet, so I am not sure if my answer will change as I get further into the book. The Magical Realism in 100 Years of Solitude made it tough for me to follow the plots at some point. In Cholera, I feel like I am following the story while appreciating the magical realism instead of being confused by it.

LisaMM asks:

For either book: what is the significance of the title?

I believe that the significance of the title of Love in the Time of Cholera is that love can be an illness that infects and takes you over, similar to cholera.

Karen asks:

How are you liking Love in the Time of Cholera so far? It was one of my favorite books of all time. Have you read anything else by Marquez before? I could never get into 100 Years of Solitude, I'm sorry to say!

As I mentioned above, it took me a little while to get into this book. I am glad that I stuck with it because now I am really enjoying it. I have read 100 Years of Solitude, but found it very confusing.

Thanks for the questions everyone! I am reading this book as part of two challenges:

The Neustadt Challenge

Orbis Teeravm Challenge