About the book
In their youth, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fall passionately in love. When Fermina eventually chooses to marry a wealthy, well-born doctor, Florentino is devastated, but he is a romantic. As he rises in his business career he whiles away the years in 622 affairs–yet he reserves his heart for Fermina. Her husband dies at last, and Florentino purposefully attends the funeral. Fifty years, nine months, and four days after he first declared his love for Fermina, he will do so again.
Reviewed by Goodworth Clatford WI Reading Group:
Excellent. Well researched. Succinct use of language. Some thought too dense. Perceptive description of a long marriage and other relationship.
Star rating: *** to ****
Hampshire Libraries 
Review by Shipton Bellinger WI:
A beautiful use of language. Lyrical but always down to earth. A very good translation. Some loved this book, others found it boring. Do see what you think.
Star rating: ***
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Review by Museum Book Group:
In spite of the lyrical writing, the group found this book difficult. It was either skipped or unfinished. As a love story it didn’t have any reality. Found it difficult to flesh out the characters. We did consider that it was written about a culture, that was totally foreign to us. Provoked a very lively discussion.
Star rating: *
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Review by King’s Somborne Reading Group:
unanimous view that it was a well-crafted novel with vividly described scenes and characters. Required some effort due to the lack of chapter breaks and minimal dialogue, but definitely worth it – we were rewarded with humorous observations and thoughtful insight into everlasting love from youth to old age.
Star rating: ****
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Review by Entre Nous Reading Group:
A masterpiece. Marquez observed the many aspects of love, marriage and old age with humour and wisdom – against rich descriptions of changing lift in Latin America from about 1880 – 1950. Very highly recommended.
Star rating: ****
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Review by The Accidental Reading Group:
We thought this book was going to be good because of the pedigree of the author, but we were disappointed. We struggled with the book and found one of the main characters repellent.
Star rating: *
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Review by CC Readers:
Provoked much discussion. Wonderful writing – somewhat improbable characters but richly imaginative. Subtle humour. great insights into marriage, old age and an era and country far from what we know.
Star rating: ***
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Review by Damzals:
Probably a book of its time. Two of us read it twenty years ago and loved it, but now are disappointed on re-reading. We found it heavy going and difficult to follow and didn’t understand the ending.
Star rating: **
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Review by Anon Reading Group:
Magnificent read. Superbly crafted – simple story. Wonderful use of language. A joy.
Star rating: ****
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Review by Bridewell Beauties Reading Group:
Excellent translation and a well constructed book. Well drawn characters. A good analysis of love, from a mans point of view. A great storyteller.
Star rating: ***
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