Love in the Time of Cholera

Article written by Charles Asoluka

Degree in Computer Engineering. Passed TOEFL Exam. Seasoned literary critic.

‘Love in the Time of Cholera’ is Gabriel García Márquez’s most accessible work in his oeuvre. The story takes place in Colombia, specifically in the period between 1870 and 1930, in the port city of Barranquilla. This city holds moderate significance as it flows into the Caribbean Sea at the mouth of the Magdalena River. Within this setting, three riverboats, each equipped with two wheels powered by a wood-fired boiler, navigate the Magdalena River for several hundred kilometers. It would be a picturesque sight, worthy of postcards, if not for the constant turmoil of the civil war and frequent outbreaks of cholera that plagued the region.

Fermina, the devoted wife of Dr. Urbino for a remarkable fifty years, finds herself at the center of a captivating love affair steeped in antiquated romanticism, following the passing of her beloved husband. Despite the constraints imposed by paternal authority, Fermina and a young telegraphist of her own age, Florentino Ariza, forged a profound connection through a passionate three-year exchange of letters.

Now, more than half a century has elapsed since Fermina was forced to relinquish her love, yet Florentino’s heart has never ceased its relentless pursuit of this remarkable woman’s affection. Astonishingly, over the course of these fifty-one years, nine months, and four days, this melancholic man has engaged in no fewer than six hundred and twenty-two discreet love affairs, all while yearning for Fermina’s gaze. As they enter their seventies, one cannot help but wonder if Fermina and Florentino will finally rediscover the love that eluded them in their twilight years.

Key Facts about Love in the Time of Cholera

• Book Name: ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’ (‘El amor en los tiempos del cólera‘)
• Author: Gabriel García Márquez
• Type of Work: Novel
• Genre: Romance
• Language: Spanish
• Year Published: 1985
• Perspective: ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’ is narrated from a third-person omniscient perspective.
• Tense: ‘Love in the Time of Cholera‘ is told in the past tense.

Gabriel García Márquez and Love in the Time of Cholera

Gabriel García Márquez was born on March 6, 1927, in Aracataca, Colombia. He was the eldest of twelve children, born to Luisa Santiaga Márquez Iguarán and Gabriel Eligio Garcías. During his early years, García Márquez resided in his maternal grandparents’ house for eight years, as his father tirelessly worked multiple jobs to provide for their large family.

In 1946, driven by his parents’ encouragement, García Márquez enrolled in law school at the prestigious National University of Colombia in Bogotá. It was during his time in college that he immersed himself in the world of international fiction, devouring numerous literary works.

García Márquez attributed much of the inspiration for his stories to the captivating military and adventure tales narrated by his grandfather, as well as the enchanting folklore shared by his grandmother. Among his remarkable literary works, ‘Love in the Time of Cholera,’ his fifth novel, stands out as the pinnacle of García Márquez’s artistic achievement.

In his own words, García Márquez revealed that two profound love stories served as the catalyst for his creation of ‘Love in the Time of Cholera.’ The first was the enchanting courtship between his parents, Luisa Santiaga Márquez Iguarán and Gabriel Elijio García. The second was a newspaper article recounting the annual rendezvous of an elderly American couple in Acapulco, spanning four decades. Tragically, as the couple approached the twilight of their lives, they fell victim to a heinous crime committed by a treacherous boatman, and their secret affair was unveiled to their respective families. This heart-wrenching tale deeply moved Fermina Daza, one of the central characters in García Márquez’s novel, who found herself frequently reflecting upon this tragedy, particularly during her journeys aboard the riverboat New Fidelity.

Books Related to Love in the Time of Cholera

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Lasting Impact of Love in the Time of Cholera