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May 16, 2014GLNovak rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book took me a while to read. The narrative was very conversational covering a good 65 years in the lives of Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza. Florentino is struck with love at the sight of fourteen year old Fermina and touchingly courts her from afar, while she keeps him at arms length and basks in his adoration. That adoration falters and she marries a respected doctor instead. Throughout the book the theme of love and all its forms is repeated over and over with Florentino and many other characters going from affair to affair to one night or one hour stands. Very busy. Florentino for all his bouncing from one woman to another clings with his whole being to the love he constantly feels for Fermina. She, seemingly alone in the country in this, remains firm in her loyalty and fidelity for her chosen husband. Love in this world is like the disease cholera where there is, or was in those days, no cure. The writing itself is quite lyrical at times with touches of humour and down-to-earth phrases. I think you might have to be determined to finish this book, at least I was.