The General in His Labyrinth: Translated and Introduced by Edith Grossman (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics) - Hardcover

García Márquez, Gabriel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1400043336 ISBN 13: 9781400043330

Publisher: Everyman's Library, 2004

Synopsis

Gabriel García Márquez's most political novel is the tragic story of General Simón Bolívar, the man who tried to unite a continent.

Bolívar, known in six Latin American countries as the Liberator, is one of the most revered heroes of the western hemisphere; in García Márquez's brilliant reimagining he is magnificently flawed as well. The novel follows Bolívar as he takes his final journey in 1830 down the Magdalena River toward the sea, revisiting the scenes of his former glory and lamenting his lost dream of an alliance of American nations. Forced from power, dogged by assassins, and prematurely aged and wasted by a fatal illness, the General is still a remarkably vital and mercurial man. He seems to remain alive by the sheer force of will that led him to so many victories in the battlefields and love affairs of his past. As he wanders in the labyrinth of his failing powers-and still-powerful memories-he defies his impending death until the last.

The General in His Labyrinth is an unforgettable portrait of a visionary from one of the greatest writers of our time.

About this title

Review:

"A fascinating tour de force and a moving tribute to an extraordinary man." -Margaret Atwood, New York Times Book Review

"A distinguished book...García Márquez splendidly presents his image of Latin America and of a great man redux." -Los Angeles Times Book Review

"A stunning portrait, convincing and poignant." -San Francisco Chronicle

"Passage after passage shines with the brilliance of García Márquez...He has invented some of the magic characters of our age. His General, however, is not only magic, but real." -The Wall Street Journal

"As usual, García Márquez's craftsmanship is nothing less than superb. His General's story is tragic; his telling of it is luminous." -Dallas Morning News

Translated and with a new Introduction by Edith Grossman

Book Description:

General Simon Bolivar, 'the Liberator' of five South American countries, takes a last melancholy journey down the Magdalena River, revisiting cities along its shores, and reliving the triumphs, passions and betrayals of his life. Infinitely charming, prodigiously successful in love, war and politics, he still dances with such enthusiasm and skill that those watching cannot believe he is ill. Aflame with memories of the power that he commanded and the dream of continental unity that eluded him, he is a moving exemplar of how much can be won - and lost - in a life.

About this edition

• Publisher: Everyman's Library
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1400043336
• ISBN 13: 9781400043330
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 248