The novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude, takes place in the fictional Colombian town of Macondo and follows the lives of the Buendia family. The novel portrays the actions of the Buendias and the consequences that follow as they each try to fulfill their hopes and desires. The book is set firmly in the genre of magical realism, meaning that it takes place in a realistic depiction of reality while including many magical elements. These magical elements interfere with the Buendias and make their journeys so much more interesting to read about. In the end, these magical elements clash with both natural and outside forces, in this novel's striking climax.

Each of the Buendias are all very well-developed characters, and whether you like them or not, Marquez’s storytelling will ensure that you will care about their outcome. The novel’s genre of magical realism combined with Marquez’s expert worldbuilding makes Macondo and the world around it very interesting to explore as we see how the forces of the outside world interact with the mystical ones. The characters and setting are what makes this novel so hard to put down as you are drawn into a world that is far more interesting than our own.

The novel is not only very entertaining but also quite deep, a combination that can be difficult to come across, but is always a pleasure when you do. The insight into the lives of the Buendias allows the readers to view human nature across time and how it changes/stays the same as different environments put it to the test. The subtlety with which Marquez works these ideas further enriches the reading experience as the reader is allowed to explore various insightful themes and ideas.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is simply looking for a great book to become invested in. Whether it’s for its entertaining storytelling or thought-provoking themes, I think everyone from teens to adults will find reading One Hundred Years of Solitude to be a most enjoyable experience. Small disclaimer: sex and violence are common occurrences in the book, so probably avoid it if those make you uncomfortable.

If you enjoy this book as I’m sure you will, be sure to look at books from other authors known for their works of magical realism, such as Isabel Allende and Jorge Amado, as well as more of Marquez’s novels.