The man, outside my own, who I have long fantasized about being stranded with on a deserted island, is dead.
It wasn’t for the sex. I chose him because I couldn’t imagine a more ardent thinker, seductive conversationalist or outrageous dreamer, who, staring into the belly of extinction, could help keep me laughing, crying and sane. My people, trust a writer: the brain is a beast and will find ways to care for its shell. I can survive on food-for-thought alone.
She knew him: from that point on he was going to lose control, his speech would become disjointed, he would be at her mercy, and he would not find his way back until he had reached the end. She led him by the hand to the bed as if he were a blind beggar on the street, and she cut him into pieces with malicious tenderness, she added salt to taste, pepper, a clove of garlic, chopped onion, lemon juice, bay leaf, until he was seasoned and on the platter, and the oven was heated to the right temperature. *
It’s true that Love in the Time of Cholera sustained me as I chewed it up, writhing in an electric blanket on a Lazy-boy chair in the winter, for two inflamed, unwashed days, gorging on every sentence, but my first introduction to the Marquez master-meals One Hundred Years of Solitude saved my life in one long, soaring, mind-fucking feast as I flew from Baltimore to Newark, buckled into an 18-seater plane, rocking turbulence in a pounding snowstorm, devouring the banquet of its last, astounding eighty pages as the roar of the engine noise and Gabo’s heart-attacking prose wiped mortal fear off my map, flooding me with love and hope and I could not breathe, eat, drink, puke or sleep until every bloody letter was drawn into my veins.** Stumbling off that plane in Jersey, lurching towards Montreal, I was drunk as a skunk on pure art, soul and heart: the inextinguishable light of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s inner world.
He advised her to cry to her heart’s content, and to feel no shame, for there was no greater relief than weeping, but he suggested that she loosen her bodice first. He hurried to help her, because her bodice was tightly fastened in the back with a long closure of crossed laces. He did not have to unlace them all, for the bodice burst open from sheer internal pressure, and her astronomical bosom was able to breathe freely.***
RIP Gabo. Love for all times.
*Excerpt from Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
**In humble homage to the astonishing The Autumn of the Patriarch, the longest sentence I have ever written.
***Excerpt from Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
*
Support my Marquez addiction (I have my eye on a first edition)!
*
GOOD NEWS FLASH: He left an unpublished manuscript here.
Read, read, read. Writers die, but great literature lives on.
*
Burns the Fire on Rebelle Society here.
*
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116 Responses to Gabriel Garcia Marquez Saved My Life
Awwww… big love for a big-hearted massively-talented man….
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What can we do but spread the word?
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Spread the word, albeit on a smaller scale and, for me in a less effective way but hopefully with equal amounts of passion and soul. He changed the conversation about being alive, being political, being a part of this global community so that understanding others was not so difficult. I wanted to name my son Gabriel but had to settle for two nieces named Gabriela. He will always be a part of my life for the change he made on my life is indelible and unforgettable.
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What you wrote. Welcome!!
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Love, love, love and an ever more abundance of love to this great man, this genius of love and love lost and beauty beyond our wildest dreams. A note of love. A bouquet of love. A song of love and our eternal gratitude for what you have given our world. Te adoro, Senor Garcia-Marquex, te adoro.
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Sing, Joyce. Beautiful.
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He was my favorite writer by far… I actually slept in his house in Mexico City! His son is married to the sister of a friend of mine. Spent some time in his library, which was… awesome, for lack of a better word (I’m no Garcia Marquez).
Thank you so much for marking his passing, Brenda!
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The pleasure is mine, Dulcy. I would love to hear more about his library!
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Dearest Brenda,
Thank you for this piece!
I love him so dearly too and his magic take me so far each time I read any of his books. First book I read from him was “One Hundred Years of Solitude” in farsi when I was 18 during Iran’s turbulent time, right before the revolution! But with out any doubt “Love in the Time of Cholera” is my favourite! I read it long ago again in Farsi and again two years ago in english when unexpected love entered my life. 🙂
Last Thursday April 17th when I heard the news, silently I looked for my “Love in the Time of Cholera” and start reading it again!
Magical!
thank you!
Shahrzad
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Shahrzad, thank you for the passion we share. I thrill to imagine his words in Farsi. Music for the ears.
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Good stuff, love it.
Sent from my iPad
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Love it! You really take us for a ride in your tour-de-force sentence. The whole piece is bursting with feeling and love for the man, the quotes are perfectly chosen. I’m sure Gabo is enjoying your piece!
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Now that post literally burned the fire, or perhaps literarily burned the fire? Lovely homage.
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(I am replying to myself. Which is typical on most days.) Congrats on the FP! (Just saw it at Samara’s place…) Your writing is just so vivid gut authentic beauty. Love. Love. Love.
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Thanks, Jenn. Can’t ask for more.
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Beautiful tribute to a great talent.
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He felt bloody human to me. Like he lived more than one life, like he lived a few, and tossed them at us all jumbled up but still making sense. Love in the Time of Cholera still floors me for the audacity of the story, and the richness of the words. He knew words. He knew lives. I wish I had known this guy. But as you say, great literature lives on.
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Welcome, Trent. The sign of a great writer? He can take us anywhere, do anything and still make it feel real.
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That’s well said, and so true. Great writers make the unreal feel real. Cholera itself, with that plot, is so out there… and yet so perfect.
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He was so talented. I was wondering whether they made movies from his books. The thing is, it would be such a challenge for any director to take on such a task. I remember travelling to South America in my mind when reading his books. I was just, well, somewhere else!
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Great literature is a free ticket to everywhere.
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A beautiful, exuberant tribute, Brenda. A reminder for me to read more of his writing…
xo
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Reblogged this on We have no Secrets.
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Thanks for the reblog, Kat.
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TY too
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Reblogged this on Big Blue Dot Y'all.
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Thanks for the reblog, Kristen.
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I really enjoyed your post. Slainte!
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Really enjoyed this post! Follow for follow?! 🙂
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I’m so glad this was Freshly Pressed! It’s beautiful. 🙂
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It’s nice to see you here, Rara.
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I’m usually around… just quietly snooping, ha! 🙂 One or two people directed me to this post prior to FPing, so I’ve read it a few times. It melts my heart. 🙂
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There is nothing I’d rather do than melt (and restore) the heart. Thank you!
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Great man. Great writer.
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Absolutely amazing writer. I’ve read his Love in the Time of Cholera over and over and over again and each time, it has touched a different part of my mind and soul.
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Great writing never gets old.
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We are both in mourning, but you wrote your tribute much better than I did 🙂 Mine’s on http://www.lyndaibrahim.com should you wish to check out. Here’s to our maestro!
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Keep up the good work, Brenda.
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Reblogged this on romerger1720.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Reblogged this on theobservn's Blog.
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Beautiful ode to one of the most gifted and inventive writers on our time. We’ve written one to him as well. In case you’re interested, you can find our letter to GGM here: http://ladybromance.com/2014/04/18/gabriel-garcia-marquez/
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Wonderful tribute, Brenda. This is beautiful! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
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Reblogged this on Amy Reese Writes and commented:
This is a wonderful tribute to Gabriel Garcia Marquez from Brenda at her blog, Burns The Fire. And it was Freshly Pressed! Congratulations, Brenda!
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Thanks for your kind words and reblog, Amy. Proud.
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Reblogged this on jmcstudio and commented:
It’s amazing how good writers thrive, no matter what country they were born, their words, their thoughts and their imagination make sense in any language.
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When the work is that good, it becomes universal. The glory and legacy of literature and great art. Thanks for your thoughts and reblog, Jorge.
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I’m more than a bit ashamed to admit I haven’t read any Gabriel Garcia Marquez, although so many of my reading friends have read and adored his writing. Your post has motivated me to put him at the top of the list. But where to start? Hmmm …perhaps Love in the Time of Cholera. Thank-you for a motivating and moving post.
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Welcome, Jill. I am thrilled that this post is making you want to read Marquez. If I may suggest, try One Hundred Years of Solitude first before going on to later works. Let us know how you feel.
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Thanks for the suggestion, and I’ll be sure to let you know how I get on.
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Brenda, beautifully said, a fitting tribute to a remarkable writer. And much congratulations on the Freshly Pressed nod. So so deserved.
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Happy to share the love. Thanks, Nadia.
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Writers don’t die, Mr. Marquez. They go to heaven, if they believe. That quote doesn’t look so smart now, does it, sir?
P.S. Gabe’s in Heaven.
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I don’t know about heaven, but his work is certainly a paradise on earth.
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Touching words, and elegant transmission. Loved it
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Thank you and welcome, Shelly.
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[…] Gabriel Garcia Marquez Saved My Life. […]
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I like your longest sentence you’ve ever written. : ) A very great tribute, indeed!
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It was great fun to write, thanks. I like your idea of reading a book a week- go!
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This is great Brenda. All the love and fire of GGM. Thanks
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Good to see you here, Harvey.
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Reblogged this on nimbus trail and commented:
The electric essence of Marquez!
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Electric is one of my favorite words. Thanks for the reblog and welcome.
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[…] was moved by burnsthefire‘s tribute to Marquez. I ought to have been sleeping. Instead, I commented on the post. I said […]
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So happy to share the love.
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I enjoyed reading your wonderful tribute. Time for me to dust off a few of his works for a re-read and to marvel yet again at how words in the hands of a true artist can have such a profound effect on others.
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Marvel, exactly. Welcome, Norm.
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Reblogged this on http://triniozzimbiz.com.
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Welcome and thanks for the reblog, Triniozzy!
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Reblogged this on yassirfse and commented:
Nice words. Amazing.
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Thanks for your kind words and reblog.
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Most welcome dear.
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Nice words. Amazing.
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good matter! feliz.. https://hikayeminasilbuldunuz.wordpress.com/
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Written not with ink but love, ‘Love in the time of cholera’ is a story set in the epidemic of cholera and tells about the disease of love, irremediable and painful.
Picturesque and filled with bubbles of seduction and lovemaking, ‘Love in the time of cholera’ beautifully explores the various lovely relationships of Mother-Son, Husband-Wife, Man-Mistress, Lover-Goddess, all together knitted with magic called love.
This immense story is like a love song playing in the heart.
An inspiring book for all those who believe in love and suffered in it/still suffering like me, and for those who did not, I avow this book will spin your mind and make you believe that there is magic in this universe i.e. love.
Buy the book and fall in love.This book really brought love in my life.
”There is no greater glory than to die for love”- Florentino Ariza (My favorite quote)
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Welcome, Neha! I don’t think there is any better compliment to a writer than ‘this book really brought love in my life’ and I have no doubt Marquez would approve.
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I loved Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor and Chronicle of a Death Foretold best.
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Reblogged this on TestiMonique and commented:
Yes, a TestiMonique to his final letter to his family and friends.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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What a wonderful tribute to a great writer. I have just started my blog and Gabriel Garcia Marquez was my first book recommendation. Tess
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Thanks, Tess, it’s been great to share the love with my fellow fans.
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My beautiful, beautiful friend. I’m glad it took me several days to find this treasure chest of your love and Gabriel’s words, because it came right when I needed it. I’m glad so many will read this post.
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Thanks, Jennie! I couldn’t ask for more.
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https://civismeussum.wordpress.com/
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What a lovely tribute to such a great writer. Unfortunately we’ve lost two great writers in the last year: Gabo and Seamus Heaney. Both always a pleasure to read. And on top of that, the wonderful Alice Munro is giving writing. The thing is that there are so many things that pull us away these days from beautiful language. But then I pick up some amazing writer like Gabo and read just a few pages and suddenly I am high on their words. And it gives me hope. Now if I could only write one thing as good as these writers have, I would be a happy man. Thanks again for the beautiful tribute.
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Well-said, Don. I am touched by what you say about beautiful language and how it makes us high. Thank you, and welcome.
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This was an awesome piece! Loved it and the passion you relayed through your words. Those excerpts were amazingly intense and no one could ever describe that but Gabo. And I don’t think anyone could quite describe him as you did with the longest sentence you’ve ever written. It was awesome. All of it. Now that’s a fucking writer! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed. Well deserved 🙂
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Thank you for your enthusiasm! Passion abounds.
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Reblogged this on Apps Lotus's Blog.
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Reblogged this on vigneshramar.
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Okay…i am going to read this. Thanks for that!
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Excellent! Let us know what you think.
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I hate flying and love GGM, so this story hits home as I could imagine how his work can really take your mind off of anything and let you escape. I know which book to take off my bookshelf on my next flight 🙂
Great piece can’t wait for more.
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Welcome, Wayniac and thanks for your kind words!
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whatz that? he indjoyed Fidelz hospitalty in Cuba land . . . upon the Socialist boat, hmmm . . . and say, he indjoyed paradise island witha fishin’ anawltha’ . . . hmmm
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He did enjoy Fidel and that is contentious for some. Try reading ‘The Autumn of the Patriarch’ for some mind-bending craft and a window into his fascination with power and loneliness.
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100 Years of Solitude is one of my very favorite books – although I love all his books. Wonderful post
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Thanks, Tattoo and welcome.
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Sad days for literature, but heartening to know that someone feels the same about his works.
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Thankfully, he left a lot behind.
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Oh how I mourned when I heard the news… and how I enjoyed reading this wonderful tribute, to a man who saved my life as well… over and over. Love this!
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Gabo unites people in his work and now through his death. Blessings abound!
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Indeed. And today, one of my other Most Important Writers is gone… Maya Angelou. What great words the two of them wrote for us!
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Just heard about Angelou. Thought she would go on forever. Sure glad she left us her books.
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No kidding! She was 86, and still I found myself crying: it’s too soon!
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[…] back at the beginning of May. After reading Brenda’s tribute to Gabriel Garcia Marquez over on burnsthefire I thought what better way to mark his passing than to read One Hundred Years of Solitude; the […]
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[…] Years of Solitude (a book, you may remember, I decided to read after coming across another blogger‘s eulogy to Marquez) Maya Angelou died. So, I thought, what better to tackle next than […]
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[…] epublicado en quemaduras del fuego : […]
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[…] on other people’s blogs because even her comments are divine. She was Freshly Pressed for Gabriel Garcia Marquez Saved My Life, which was so well-written, I scrapped what I had written about GGM. Because her writing will make […]
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[…] his life to the pursuit of solitude and physical inactivity, dearly departed Colombian homeboy Gabriel Garcia Marquez said, with his characteristic quill to the heart: I write so my friends will love me more. Then, he […]
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What a great tribute Brenda! Some words just touch us sometimes. They simply stay with us. I love Gabo too. I actually wish I could read in Spanish…
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I wish I could read his words in Spanish, too, but until I learn the language, I comfort myself with the English translations by Gregory Rabassa and others which are transcendent in their own right.
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[…] to my fantabulous, new collaborator Nicola (more on her soon), my post Gabriel Garcia Marquez Saved My Life was posted on Gabo’s Random House Gabriel Garcia Marque on Facebook and has amassed almost […]
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I just re-read this… because it’s so gorgeous, and I’m still mourning. Seriously great stuff here.
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Marquez will inspire us forever, a gift of great art. Thanks, Dawn!
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[…] more of my musings about writers: Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Etgar Keret and Philip […]
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