Book Review: No One Writes to the Colonel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

By Murtaza Kuwarawala -
So, this was my last read of January. I know I'm a bit late in posting the review but I promise, I'll do try posting one regularly. To be honest, this was my first book by Marquez and I had literally picked this up for the sole reason that the cover of the book attracted me to the book. A very short read that one could finish within a day, here is my take on the book.

Blurb (From Goodreads):

Fridays are different. Every other day of the week, the Colonel and his ailing wife fight a constant battle against poverty and monotony, scraping together the dregs of their savings for the food and medicine that keeps them alive. But on Fridays the postman comes - and that sets a fleeting wave of hope rushing through the Colonel's ageing heart.

For fifteen years he's watched the mail launch come into harbour, hoping he'll be handed an envelope containing the army pension promised to him all those years ago. Whilst he waits for the cheque, his hopes are pinned on his prize bird and the upcoming cockfighting season. But until then the bird - like the Colonel and his wife - must somehow be fed...

My Take on the Book:

So, as I said earlier, I was quite attracted to the cover of the book and hence the reason I got the book. It does take time for the reader to get connected to the setting of the book as the book is based in South America but the book does starts getting on you and you are compelled to finish the book.

The optimism that the book generates (one can only hope that the Colonel receives his pension after 15 years) is quite inspiring. It tells us repeatedly not to lose hope even if the time isn't in your favour. Though I felt that the optimism was quite stretched out (15 years), the book was worth every time spent on it. One must pick this up, if they are looking for a light read but wants to be left with a heavy heart.

My Ratings : 🌟🌟🌟🌟 out of 5

Book in Three Words : Touching. Heavy. Inspirational.

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