Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “I read this in its Spanish original, (Collección Debolsillo, Buenos Aires, 2008). The book is an account of the last year in Bolivar´s life, starting with his resignation in early 1830, and ending in his death. However in the course of this account, we are also supplied with chronicles that...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“This is a fictionalized version Simon Bolivar's last days. He travels along the Magdelena River. It's a vivid story about a strong historical figure.”
Janet S wrote this review Tuesday, November 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“L
mbjornsen wrote this review Thursday, July 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
”“I read this in its Spanish original, (Collección Debolsillo, Buenos Aires, 2008). The book is an account of the last year in Bolivar´s life, starting with his resignation in early 1830, and ending in his death. However in the course of this account, we are also supplied with chronicles that expose many other parts of this hero´s life. Somewhar slow and tedious at first, the story gets better as it goes along. Although written as a novel, (with no footnotes or any documentation of sources, other than an epilogue in which he thanks a number of hisitorians for assistance), it is clear that the author revels in getting as much of the details of the account as accurate and "true" as possible. This applies to the narrative itself, the various people that Bolivar encounters, the military and polittical context, the character of the man, his love affairs, and the setting in which this last part of his life takes place. Indeed iit is this last aspect that makes this book special, because the author loves to describe everithing from the buttons on Bolivar´s jackets, to the furniture and appearance of the many different rooms and houses he inhabits, the food, the music and the songs, the street and river scenes, the climate, the vegetation, and the very air which his characters breathe. If the book is sometimes tedious, it's because What makes the book tedious, especially at first, is that this is basically the story of a dying man, in a state of advanced physical decay, whose symtoms Marquez describes in great detail. We also learn a lot about the terrible quality of medicine in those days. Bolivar, it turns out, was highly suspicion of doctors. amd perhaps with good reason, since in the end, when he no longer has the strength to keep doctors away, their cures end up accelerating his death. I will conclude by saying that this is not one of the least accessible books by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Read it only if you have a real interest in Simón Bolivar both as a man and as an important historical figure, and if you enjoy the evocative way in which Marquez is able to convey the physical and cultural settings associated with his characters.”
Raul de B wrote this review Saturday, June 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“The novel is written in the third-person with flashbacks to specific events in the life of Simón Bolívar, "the General". It begins on May 8, 1830 in Santa Fe de Bogotá. The General is preparing for his journey towards the port of Cartagena de Indias, intending to leave Colombia for Europe. Following his resignation as President of Gran Colombia, the people of the lands he liberated have now turned against him, scrawling anti-Bolívar graffiti and throwing waste at him. The General is anxious to move on, but has to remind the Vice-President-elect, General Domingo Caycedo, that he has yet to receive a valid passport to leave the country. The General leaves Bogotá with the few officials still faithful to him, including his confidante and aide-de-camp, José Palacios. At the end of the first chapter, the General is referred to by his full title, General Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios, for the only time in the novel.
Wendy B wrote this review Wednesday, April 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
On the first night of the voyage, the General stays at Facatativá with his entourage, which consists of José Palacios, five aides-de-camp, his clerks, and his dogs. Here, as throughout the journey that follows, the General's loss of prestige is evident; the downturn in his fortunes surprises even the General himself. His unidentified illness has led to his physical deterioration, which makes him unrecognizable, and his aide-de-camp is constantly mistaken for the Liberator.
After many delays, the General and his party arrive in Honda, where the Governor, Posada Gutiérrez, has arranged for three days of fiestas. On his last night in Honda, the General returns late to camp and finds one of his old friends, Miranda Lyndsay, waiting for him. The General recalls that fifteen years ago, she had learned of a plot against his life and had saved him. The following morning, the General begins the voyage down the Magdalena River. Both his physical debilitation and pride are evident as he negotiates the slope to the dock: he is in need of a sedan chair but refuses to use it. The group stays a night in Puerto Real, where the General claims he sees a woman singing during the night. His aides-de-camp and the watchman conduct a search, but they fail to uncover any sign of a woman having been in the vicinity.
The General and his entourage arrive at the port of Mompox. Here they are stopped by police, who fail to recognize the General. They ask for his passport, but he is unable to produce one. Eventually, the police discover his identity and escort him into the port. The people still believe him to be the President of Gran Colombia and prepare banquets in his honor; but these festivities are wasted on him due to his lack of strength and appetite. After several days, the General and his entourage set off for Turbaco.
The group spend a sleepless night in Barranca Nueva before they arrive in Turbaco. Their original plan was to continue to Cartagena the following day, but the General is informed that there is no available ship bound for Europe from the port and that his passport still has not arrived. While staying in the town, he receives a visit from General Mariano Montilla and a few other friends. The deterioration of his health becomes increasingly evident—one of his visitors describes his face as that of a dead man.[12] In Turbaco, the General is joined by General Daniel Florencio O'Leary and receives news of ongoing political machinations: Joaquín Mosquera, appointed successor as President of Gran Colombia, has assumed power but his legitimacy is still contested by Cartagena. The General recalls that his "dream began to fall apart on the very day it was realized".[13]
The General finally receives his passport, and two days later he sets off with his entourage for Cartagena and the coast, where more receptions are held in his honor. Throughout this time, he is surrounded by women but is too weak to engage in sexual relations. The General is deeply affected when he hears that his good friend and preferred successor for the presidency, Field Marshall Sucre, has been ambushed and assassinated.
The General is now told by one of his aides-de-camp that General Rafael Urdaneta has taken over the government in Bogotá, and there are reports of demonstrations and riots in support of a return to power by Bolívar. The General's group travel to the town of Soledad, where he stays for more than a month, his health declining further. In Soledad, the General agrees to see a physician for the first time.
The General never leaves South America. He finishes his journey in Santa Marta, too weak to continue and with only his doctor and his closest aides by his side. He dies in poverty, a shadow of the man who liberated much of the continent.
”
“Read it at: http://www.shvoong.com/books/novel/1861578-general-labyrinth/
Amit Sinha wrote this review Sunday, January 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
”
“I read this book after "One Hundred Years of Solitude." I like it very much, just not as much as that classic novel.”
Dan M wrote this review Saturday, December 13 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This historical novel about Simon Bolivar (the George Washington of South America) is not quite as engaging as One Hundred Years of Solitude or Love in the Time of Cholera , but it does have the author's usual flair. ”
moik wrote this review Monday, December 8 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ a really nice historical novel.”
ana-maria b wrote this review Friday, June 20 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Gabriel Garcia Marquez is the master of the psychological historical novel. This story, written about the last few years of the famous hero, Simon Bolivar, the Liberator, deals with all the sucesses, dreams, failures and frustrations of his exciting, but tragic life. Marquez has the unique talent of making you feel as if you know the characters; you can feel the summer rains, and smell the horseshit in the cobbled streets. It is a sad and beautiful story of a unique man, a hero to the peoples of all our Americas.”
Eugene C wrote this review Saturday, February 2 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
