No One Writes to the Colonel-
A book Review by:
Mike Dimaano
It’s squeaky-clean.
You don’t even have to pretend that you read the book, that’s the least I can say.
From the moment I glued my eyes on it, I was warped from the place where it happened. And even without making an A-plus effort, I am quite sure the readers would feel certain vibe what Marquez was trying to describe. It’s like a think piece, and you’re on it. Every page the story comes fresh.
So who’s the big who? No One Writes to the Colonel was written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He was born on March 6, 1928 in Aracataca, a town in Northern Colombia, where he was raised by his maternal grandparents in a house filled with countless aunts and the rumors of ghosts. This is probably why some of his works are filled with magical stories and other fantasies.
He is also the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including his famous work, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Love in the Time of Cholera and, The Autumn of the Patriarch. Garcia Marquez was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.
So here’s the skinny:
In a small town in the middle of nowhere, the Colonel and his wife patiently wait for a letter from the government. The Colonel is a stately, honorable man, but perhaps a bit idealistic. For fifteen years every Friday, he has been faithfully anticipating the arrival of the pension check promised by a long overthrown government. Near poverty, half-starved, and living on credit, he and his wife have just lost their son, who was shot to death by the opposing political party.
His only legacy is a prize rooster, an excellent fighting cock and a sure-fire winner in next January's match. But to keep this potential breadwinner alive until then, he must be fed- and the more food that goes to the rooster, the less for the Colonel and his wife. The Colonel's predicament unwinds as the narrative takes him through the town and its cast of characters, all of which have their own unique perspective on the vicissitudes of the world.
Marquez was known to be the master of “magic realism”, but this novel doesn’t fall with the genre. There are no magical events. However, it is considered to be one his best romantic stories. It is really easy to understand. This is a strict book, untouchable, full of feelings in its rhythm of increasing despair until it “pooms” you to an extraordinary explosion.
This probably does not sound all that promising to most readers, but there is much to enjoy in this book. Marquez understands human nature enough to create complicated, layered characters, even when their actions are quite simple.
All in all, it was a wonderful masterpiece. Two thumbs up, and I could raise another thumb if I had three.
