Love in the Time of Cholera
Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ novel is about an illness of love that plagues the main characters Fermina Daza and Florentino Ariza. He has successfully deployed universality in the themes of love, suffering, aging, and death.
The story opens with the funeral of Fermina’s husband, Dr. Juvenal Urbino. Her long-time admirer Florentino approaches her and vows once more after 51 years, 9 months and 4 days of waiting and longing his “eternal fidelity and everlasting love.” At a younger age, the two had been in love but soon realized that she was about to marry the physician. He was stricken and promised to keep his love and virginity for her alone. Yet, he found himself involved in 622 other affairs because of his prolonged unfulfilled desire. In the end, in their old age, they ride aboard a ship and ask the captain to raise a yellow-black flag (which falsely warns other would-be passengers that a cholera outbreak has afflicted the vessel) that ensures their privacy. It symbolized the noble fulfillment of their once plagued relationship.
I have this book and I looooovvvveeee it to the MAX!!! =)