Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Manuel Marquez

Few romance novels can do what this literary masterpiece managed to do, and that is to evoke raw emotions from the hearts of its readers without the perfume laced narrations of love that nowadays run rampant in books, film and programs.

Others of its kind often resort to glamored up descriptions of the truth. I think it is safe to say that this is the most honest novel I've read in a long time. The protagonists are far from perfect and their perspectives in life mirror the facts with staggering honesty. Less attractive mental images from the written descriptions of old age and an almost idiotic pursuit of an unattainable goal are not something thousands of romance novels have in common.

It is true that Love in the Time of Cholera is not a light read. I sometimes have to force myself to pass through a certain part of the story to get to the more interesting sections. Not to mention the mildly confusing time orientation of the novel. One should really concentrate on perusing the chapters because reading Marquez's sentences with half a mind won't do.

Although with these shortcomings, which may very well be the fault of the reader, this book surely deserves all the recognition it has received. I could only hope that more authors follow suite and defer from over decorating facts. After all, novels are supposed to mirror real life and a mirror should show what is and not an exaggerated version of the truth.