2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Tell us what you thought of the book! You can leave your review here. Even if you read the book outside of the group, please feel free to let us know what you thought of it.

What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?

Please make sure to mark your spoilers by typing [spoiler] at the start and [/spoiler] at the end but replacing the [] with <>.

It's been three years since I read this and there was no way I would join you for a reread as I did not like it.
I'm interested to follow the discussion though, as I would love to understand why so many people love this so much.

Here's the review I wrote back then...

I like your review, Kim, and indeed your points are very valid! I read this last year and it was my first read of Gabriel García Márquez, and am currently reading Love in the Time of Cholera (which so far I am finding much easier to follow). Here is my review, if you care to read it.

I did enjoy it very much but it took a lot more concentration than I am used to with modern books to get into the story. When I took on the perspective that I was being told a story, in the way that we used to tell each other stories as kids (maybe while lying awake in bed before falling asleep, or around a campfire) is when I actually started to enjoy it. My copy came with a family tree in the beginning of the book, which I did have to reference often and I agree was a nuisance.. but at the same time I don't think the book would have had the same nonsensical, mythical storytelling effect if the names were varied.

I struggled through this, many times I found myself skimming and trying to keep myself alert enough to read. It wasn't my cup of tea but I wanted to finish since it was chosen as book of the month for February. It was also a Winner of the Nobel Prize, so I kept reading in hopes it would do something for me, but it did not.

I didn't finish it. Even as an Audiobook, it couldn't keep my attention more than as background noise while I did other things. I got about 4 hours into the audiobook before deciding to DNF. I hope other people enjoy it more than me but it wasn't for me. Though, it did help me discover that I can't stand slow paced books anymore so, I guess that's a plus.

Like Kim it's been a while since I read this and I did not re-read because I didn't like it.

The only note I wrote about this book, when I kept a physical notebook with reviews and such was:

"I finished it. I hate it."

I listened to the audio narrated by John Lee. I have tried other books narrated by him and didn't like those either, so it's possible it's a narrator issue.

I finally finished it! I listened to the audio and I wish that I would have read it instead but not enough to do it over.

Honestly, I still don't know what I think about this book. Part of me hated it because I was confused and lost throughout a big portion of the book. But there was still something about it that I really liked. It basically comes down to the fact that I don't think I am smart enough to enjoy this book fully. Just kidding, but I do think that to gain the full enjoyment of this book requires a deeper level of concentration and effort than I gave it.

Keeping a family tree on hand while reading was important and really helped. Also, I finally had to just not worry about understanding everything and just go with it. Every time I was completely lost and bored, I would find myself engaged and intrigued just a few minutes later not knowing how one part of the story became another. It is a book that I will remember and think about often even if I still don't really understand everything that happened.

I am glad we did this as a group read though because it was on my list to read and I do not think I would have ever done it (or finished it at least) if this had not pushed me to do it. I have become a lazy reader and will need to be pushed to get through some of the classics that take a little more work to enjoy.

I actually gave this 3.5 stars but rounded down to 3 on GR.

Kim wrote: "It's been three years since I read this and there was no way I would join you for a reread as I did not like it.
I'm interested to follow the discussion though, as I would love to understand why s..."

Great review, Kim!
I agree with most comments shared here.
For me, it was also a re-read, and the first time I read it, I really loved it. I carried this book in my heart for so many years with such a big nostalgic feeling about it, that I think it added to my dissapointment this second time reading it. I think, if I wasn't taking part in this month's readathlon, and if I hadn't suggested it for the group read, and had it not won, I would have dnf'd it in the first few chapters this time.
this is my review if anyone's interested

It is interesting to see that this book gets almost 50% five-star ratings on GR, but when you actually start talking about it, the ratio of people not liking it very much is a lot higher.

It seems a lot depends on why you are reading, and how much you want to like it as you start. I suspect this is one of those authors that benefit from a hype in erudite (as LinaVer called it) circles. Reading (and loving) GGM makes you look like a serious reader, and if that is important to you (be it on a conscious or unconscious level), you're more likely to be willing to put in the work needed. Like having a reference at hand, digging deeper to find underlying themes, find meaning in the writing style instead of just dismissing it as 'not for me'. With that extra effort, you may find reasons to like it that more casual readers don't find.
And maybe the pressure of the high rating and hyped status and looking like a serious reader for followers and friends also influences some people to rate this higher than they would have if it was just some random book instead of a 'classic'.

Kim wrote: "It is interesting to see that this book gets almost 50% five-star ratings on GR, but when you actually start talking about it, the ratio of people not liking it very much is a lot higher.

It seem..."

Wow, Kim, interesting thoughts and you've put them to words so well. I agree with you completely.
That whole looking for meaning in writing style and exploring underlying themes was so natural for me when I was younger and studied literature, it's literally what I had to do for my grades back then. And so it makes complete sense that that's how I dived into One Hundred Years of Solitude while reading it first time. Also, I think the notion of loneliness that permeates the whole book really spoke to me in those formative years of young adulthood, as I identified myself strongly as a somewhat lonely introvert. Now, I look at loneliness a bit differently, less dramatically and as somewhat innate part of human existence, so it does not affect me as much, I guess. I am also just much more secure in myself as an adult, not afraid to be alone.
It's all so fascinating to me how things like that, the circumstances one is in at the time of reading can affect so much the experience of the book!
Thank you for sharing, your comment gave me so many thoughts to ponder about. :)

Btw, greetings from Zeeland, Netherlands, we're kind of neighbors, as Antwerpen is basically an hour away for me! :)