Customer Reviews

Garcia Marquez: The Man and His Work

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Gene H. Bell-Villada won me over in the first few pages of "García Márquez: The Man and His Works" when he wrote, "to this day I have not forgotten the sheer excitement I felt on first reading Cien años de soledad in 1968, and my utter bedazzlement on reaching its concluding paragraph. Since then the idea of writing on the great South American author for his North American devotees has been one small dream of mine."

To that end, Bell-Villada, a professor of romance languages at Williams College does not disappoint. This comprehensive and engaging book is a well-written study of García Márquez and his work. The research in this two-part book is meticulous. Part one is background on Colombia, the writer's life and his politics. Part two is a stimulating history of Macondo and a strong examination of the works. Both parts are filled with valuable information that helps explain Colombia and its long history of violence.

Bell-Villada is a good teacher. He patiently goes into great detail describing the expert use of fantasy, humor and satire. He also examines literary technique and structure in a simplistic fashion. The bottom line of this beautiful book is that it enhances the understanding, appreciation, and respect of the work of Gabriel García Márquez...the greatest living novelist in the world.

I really love this book. Thank you Mr. Bell-Villada for your wonderful reaserch.
I am from Colombia, and I just love every single piece of paper, interview, and critical books about Garcia Marquez because for me as for many people, he is the best writer in the twenty and twenty-one centuries. However, I bought this book for an English 101 class when I was in college. I was surprise reading this marvellous book because I could feel, smell, hear, my country on every single line of this biography. Mr. Bell-Villada wasGabriel Garcia Marquez: His Life and Works (Library of Great Authors Sparknotes) given an account of Colombia's politics and history when he wrote about Gabo's life and work. He is right when he points that Gabo's books brings out our essence not only as Colombians but as Latin Americans and even as inhabitants of this planet.

I recommend this book because it is a deep an complete biography about our Nobel Prize, but it is not a boring one; also it is enjoyable.