678. The Autumn of the Patriarch

The Autumn of the Patriarch
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
1975
Around 255 pages

I am very tired but I wanted to pop in and pay Papa Marquez my respects, before I fall asleep and hopefully dream of sexy Latinos. Like all Marquez novels, this was an exceptional work. 

The book is divided into six sections. Marquez creates a portrait of an archetypal corrupt dictator. It's a much more challenging read than his usual fare, because of the shifting points of view, run on sentences, and stream of consciousness style. It's tough to get through a novel that is essentially one paragraph. 

But it's Marquez, so we are in good hands, and magic realism really fits with a modernist methodology. Humanizing a monster is not an easy task, but Marquez accomplishes it here. Obviously, Marquez has a host of maniacs to draw inspiration from. Unfortunately, this story will never lose its relevance.

Not my favorite Marquez, but that's only because he set the bar so high. 

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Most popular book sold in Spain in 1975.

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