Today in our blog we continue with the theme of Hispanic culture, particularly, are their literature. Last week we talked about the most famous writer in Chile and we will talk about some of the best Colombian authors, Gabriel García Márquez. The novels of Gabriel García Márquez are inherently related to the genre of magical realism. During our Spanish courses we recommend this author for Spanish students of higher levels. Thus, thanks to its unique language and extensive vocabulary, you can learn many Spanish words that you may never have heard in Spain.
Top-3 of the best novels of Gabriel García Márquez:
No One Writes to the Colonel
This short novel is considered one of the writer’s best works. In addition, the Spanish newspaper El Mundo includes it in its list of 100 best novels in Spanish of the 20th century. The book tells the life of an old colonel who has been waiting for his pension for 15 years. The colonel lives with his asthmatic wife with whom he always discusses for lack of money at home. Also, without having any income to eat, his only hope of gain is a fighting cock inherited from his late son.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
For this novel the writer won the Nobel Prize in 1982. It is considered a masterpiece of Hispanic and world literature, being one of the most read books in Spanish. The novel tells the story of the Buendía family over seven generations in the fictional town of Macondo. The story begins with the marriage of José Arcadio Buendía and Úrsula Iguarán who are cousins. Because they are cousins, Ursula fears that one of her children may be born with pig’s tail. On the other hand, the town of Macondo is totally isolated from the rest of the world. Thus, their only connection with the world are gypsies that come from time to time. Throughout history the lines of each member of the growing Buendía family are developed. Thus, the only person who is present is Úrsula, who lives more than 100 years caring for her family.
Love in the Time of Cholera
This novel tells the story of a true love. Its main characters are Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza who come from very different social classes. Social differences and those of character separate them and Fermina marries a doctor. However, Florentino swears to wait until the death of her husband that happens 50 years later. Thus, Florentino starts looking to reconquer his beloved.
We hope you enjoyed our post and that you are encouraged to learn Spanish to read these wonderful original books. Thus, every week our Spanish school in Valencia recommends different means for better learning. For example, on Wednesday we will talk about grammar;)
See you soon!
