CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD

Chronicle of the Chronicle of a Death Foretold

Nico E.D.

Gabriel García Márquez’s book, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, originally caught my attention because of Marquez’s reputation within the writing world. With Latin American heritage, I was interested to see his opinion and view of Latin America show in his writing.

At first look, the novel appears to have a simple yet interesting plot. It’s a mystery story about a murder. However, the book is worth reading to experience Márquez’s writing style, not just the plot. If there’s ever been a bigger spoiler on the back cover of a book, I haven’t found it yet. In the first line of the book, Márquez hits you with the climax of the story. Yet, I was interested to see how the book developed because of this strange plot that I have never experienced before.

I had heard about the magical realism the book contains prior to reading it, and I wasn’t exactly sure how I would feel about it. However, the magical parts of the book were not overbearing or too much to make the book more of a fantasy. Instead, they helped to give the book a little more of a legend or folktale feel, rather than just a recount of a true story.

The story took place in a coastal town in Colombia, so Márquez was able to, in a way, depict some of the values that South American culture has to the readers who have never been there. Some of the themes of the book are portrayed as the values of South American culture. Honor, loyalty, and the importance of family all play an important role throughout the novel. Without much of a biased opinion, Márquez is able to show you the values rather than tell you them. You, as the reader, are able to gather them from the story. You also pick up on the differences of your society and the novel’s. For example, Márquez shows what people think of women in their society, and the role of their women is not close to what women’s role is in our society.

All in all, this book is worth reading, even if you aren’t into reading books of this type. It’s an easy read and not too long, and it’s definitely worth it. I feel like in order to be a cultured reader, you have to have read one of Gabriel García Márquez’s great novels.

Chronicles of a Death Foretold: A Murder with no Mystery

Luca W.

Gabriel García Marquez’s “soap opera-esque” murder mystery, Chronicles of A Death Foretold, provides the reader with an interesting story, but a story that is not compelling. This story, published in 1981, is a murder-mystery completely devoid of any actual shred of mystery. The book’s avoidance of mystery left me angry at the stubbornness and ignorance of the characters, instead of leaving me satisfied with the ending. The murders are revealed early on in the story, and their motivations are revealed shortly after that. Once the brief, but very interesting murder case was out of the way, the story shifted into a dramatic story that focuses on the repercussions of the murder. That is not to say that the book is bad. What a Chronicles of A Death Foretold lost due to its occasionally infuriating story, it made up for though Gabriel Marquez’s wonderful use of detail and thought-provoking themes. The descriptions, detail, and word choice, used in Chronicles of a Death Foretold, paint a lovely mental image of a small, beautiful town, plagued by societal norms which would now be considered disgraceful. These societal issues brought up throughout a Chronicles of a Death Foretold were the most interesting part of the story. The topic of gender roles was thought provoking, and it provided historical and cultural insight to the gross treatment of women, which is still unfortunately common in many countries today. Additionally, the importance of family and honor, which are two important themes throughout the book, are also compelling. Some characters, most notably the two murders, complete dedication to the honor of their family, clearly displays the familial relationships that were previously popular throughout the world. Chronicles of A Death Foretold is an interesting read because of the details and thought-provoking themes Gabriel García Marquez incorporated into his story, and not because of the book’s promise of mystery .

How to Kill a Genre with One Book

Abhay B.

Recently, I read Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and to put a long story (or not, it was only 120 pages) short, I hated it. The book is essentially a murder mystery that follows the killing of Santiago Nasar by the two Vicario brothers. I never really read murder mysteries, so I picked the book because it seemed like a gentle start.

While it is true that this book is well liked in general, I would argue that the book lacked three key components: a comprehensible plot, a fitting tone, and basic relatability. The plot of the book is extremely vague. Without revealing anything, the book is a lot of back and forth between characters and what’s going on. Furthermore, the tone of the book just doesn’t fit the plot. From the first page, you get a sense of a classic South American small town celebration. I initially enjoyed this and was happy that the book would include a little bit of culture throughout the scandals and gruesome murders. This very quickly turns as morbid and twisted as “Gone Girl” type of affair, with nobody really understanding anything (while at the same time, everybody understanding everything). To me, Chronicle of a Death Foretold was a freshman in high school that changes what they do seemingly every other day. One day they enjoy music, the next day they enjoy baseball, and then they start liking murder two hours later. The book goes from a happy, small town to a dark, gloomy place. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s annoying how the author still tries to retain that classic Latin American feel. If you’re going to go with a dark approach, commit to it. C’mon Gabriel. Finally, the book really isn’t something I could relate to. On my part, I probably shouldn’t have picked a book set in South America when I’ve never actually visited the continent, but I think the book would have been more interesting (and as a result, relatable to the general audience) if the book was maybe set in an urban environment with an exaggeration of South American culture instead of some small town. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’m right, but it’s something I personally would have liked to see.

Finally, the book was not engaging at all. Throughout the book, I kept getting lost and easily distracted. Many say that the tell of a good book is that people can’t stop reading it. By that definition, this was a terrible book. I kept having to make myself aware that I was supposed to read the book instead of wanting to read the book.

Overall, this was a terrible read and I would not recommend it.

Grade: 2/5

Benny R.

In Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Gabriel Garcia Marquez uses a tone of spirituality and mysticism to tell a murder-mystery story. Like many mystery-thriller books, there is an investigator, usually the narrator, who remains nameless. In some mysteries, the killings are executed either professionally or premeditated. One of the most noted differences from this mystery novel to others I am familiar with, is the sequential organization of the plot. In the first chapter of the book, the reader is told who committed the murder. The rest of the book describes what led up to the murder. This is an unusual way to write a mystery because in a mystery novel, discovering who committed the crime is what keeps the reader intrigued. I found myself less engaged because I knew who the murderer was. Marquez uses the perspective of everyday life in rural communities to attach the reader to the characters and their actions. The characters overall seem unrealistic, unrelatable, and their actions are opposite to what you would expect. Although, these are the things that also make the story interesting, it just wasn’t enough for me.

In your standard murder-mystery book, motives for killing are driven by feelings of justifying and rationalizing or revenge. In Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Gabriel Marquez leaves the reason for Santiago’s death open to interpretation, which was troubling to me. Another bothersome plot element was the lack of effort by the town people to stop the preventable murder of Santiago. To me, it’s not realistic that anyone in a rational mindset, would not have saved him. Because of the uncertainty about the character’s actions, there are no clear morals. Initially, I appreciated Marquez’s unique approach to tell his murder-mystery story. However, as I read on, I became affected by the underwhelming nature of the characters, which ultimately accounted for my disappointment in the book. Chronicle of a Death Foretold is very anti-climactic, and I felt no real emotional connection to any of the characters. There remained a gaping hole with unanswered questions at the end of the book, which certainly isn’t satisfying. So, if you’re looking for a book with both theme and character complexity, maybe Chronicle of a Death Foretold isn’t the right choice.

A Somewhat Mysterious Murder Mystery

Charlotte J.

Not your typical murder-mystery novel, Chronicles of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez explores both the darkness of human intentions, and the nature of truth and complicity in a fictional South American society. I chose to read this novel as a school assignment, and was not anticipating to enjoy it. In reading the first few pages, it was clear that this novel was very different from your standard murder-mystery novella. Frankly, my first impression of the book was not great. The author’s writing was convoluted, and I found myself having to reread certain parts.

However, at some point in the novel, I found myself engrossed in the story. I was most intrigued by the unique structure of this supposed “murder mystery.” Rather than write a novel in which the mystery of the murder builds up and is revealed in the end, Márquez chooses to reveal the victim and murderers at the very beginning and pursue the true conspiracy and complexity of how and why the events played out in this enthralling novel. Like any murder mystery, the author attempts to create a story that will leave us on the edge of our seats, leaving us at the end of each chapter wanting to delve deeper into the novel to reveal the mystery. Although the question of who did it is revealed in the first few sentences, Márquez is able to achieve these thrilling and alluring qualities of a mystery novel. Márquez suggests that the true mystery of the novel is not who did it and why, but rather the nature of how an entire society, not just a pair of murderers, is involved in the complicity and truly harrowing murder of Santiago Nasar. I was not able to identify any connections between themes in this novel and the novels we read in English class. While Chronicles of a Death Foretold addressed the social and moral behaviors found in society, somewhat like larger themes found in the books we read in class, I was not able to really relate them.

What most captivated me is how the author was able to create a story in which this entire town is involved in a single murder, and how their true involvement was their inability to take action in preventing a murder they all know was going to happen. Confusing though it may seem, I enjoyed the uniqueness and intriguing structure. While the author seemed to lack clarity at some points in the novel, it was an overall good read! Márquz leaves the reader to ponder some unanswered questions, allowing the reader to determine how the novel would end.

The Unconventional, at times confusing, Murder Mystery

Chris L.

The personal choice book that I read was Chronicle of a Death Foretold written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The book is only 120 pages long, so it is a quick read. The book opens with a description of the day Santiago Nasar was to be killed. The book is written in retrospect, as if the day had already happened. The plot evolves to reveal who will kill Nasar and why they will do so. One big question I had about the plot was that the author makes it apparent that everyone but Nasar knows he will be killed. My question with that is why did nobody warn him or even try to protect him. It is a question, though, that has lingered with me days after I read the book, which is a testament to the book’s intrigue and ability to last with you. It distracts from the plot a bit because I was left trying to figure out why Marquez made it so apparent that Nasar was going to be killed. Also, I was wondering why, if everyone knew he was going to be killed, that no one tried to warn him or prevent the murder. But, that may have been his intentions, to get the reader thinking. As far as themes go, Chronicle of a Death Foretold has one overarching theme and that is honor. When the Vicario twins kill Nasar, they do so to restore the honor of their sister with whom Nasar slept with. Overall, I did not feel bored while reading the book, but I would not label it as a page turner. There were some parts of the book that I felt were a bit difficult to follow, mostly due to some run-on sentences and overly detailed paragraphs. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read with some intrigue. If you are looking for more of a conventional murder-mystery book, then I would say this is not the right one for you.

Chronicle of a Death Told on the Back of the Book

Jolie C.

Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez, has a pretty deceiving title. At first glace, you might think, “oh hey it’s a murder mystery book that will probably keep me on my toes”, like I did. But once you actually start reading, you realize that this book is not one that will be taking you into the depths of a cool haunted house, or giving you the flesh crawling feeling* of when you read about a serial killer roaming around a town. In fact, if you just read the back of the book (or the FIRST PAGE) the answer to the murder is right there, which creates an awful feeling of regret towards picking up the book in the first place.

But, if you were to just stop there and put the book away right then and there, you would seriously be missing out on a witty, entertaining, and remarkable journey. Even though it may not seem like a very fun idea to read a “mystery” book where you’re told the answers on the first page, this book is definitely an exception. Chronicle of a Death Foretold, wrapped me around its finger the second I read the first couple of pages, despite the fact that they gave away the identities of the slaughterers and the slaughtered. It was engaging and, though ruining the mystery aspect, it gave a sense of secrecy to a whole entire town. At every corner there was someone there to reveal a new aspect of the book, which kept me engrossed and attracted to the book until the last page.

This book can be easily incorporated into any school’s curriculum because of the wide variety of topics it covers. It delves into family values, secrecy, and the classic knowledge vs. ignorance topic that every English class in America studies.

This book is really not something to miss out on, and if you just put the book down after reading the back cover, you might discover yourself having the same fate as Santiago Nasar.

Chronicle of a Disappointment

Mia L.

If you want to read Chronicle of a Death Foretold, be sure to pay attention, really closely. Gabriel García Márquez tells the very confusing tale of, not only a murder, but also specifically what led up to the murder, and most sides of the story. The narrator never reveals who they are, not even their name, they only give clues as to their involvement in the town, and the incident. The narrator's secret identity makes it difficult to keep some of the characters straight; for instance, he will introduce someone as who they are and how they are related to someone. However, when introducing his own family members he usually doesn’t reveal names until much later in the story, which adds to the confusion.

While the book did have confusing aspects, it had the potential to be an interesting story. While most “murder-mystery” stories are very predictable in the setup of the story, this one broke that predictability. The author tells the readers who the killers are on the back of the book, and within the first two chapters the author has told the reader the killer, victim, and the story behind the why the murder occurred. Sadly, the book did not live up to it’s potential. The way the author set up the book was too confusing to enjoy the story. He flip-flopped between different scenes with segues that lacked clarity. He went into detail where it was unnecessary, and was vague about other sections where he needed clarity. Whole sections of the book seemed to be very insignificant, and characters were introduced and not mentioned again for a long time. There were not any obvious themes that connected to our class, however there were some aspects of someone wishing they had not acquired the knowledge they did, but wanting it before then. This shows, because, all of the citizens of the town want to know what is happening and the plot of the twins, but when they find out they wish they were still in the dark so they don’t have to feel obligated to try to save Santiago.

Unconventional and Vague yet Profound and Beautiful at the Same Time

Judson P.

“Chronicle of a Death Foretold” by the famed, Nobel-prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez intrigued me because of it’s very unique spin on the murder mystery genre. In short, the book follows an unnamed man who retells the story of the killing of Santiago Nasar, and by interviewing the members of the simultaneously unnamed village, it is revealed that pretty much everybody in the town knew that the murder was going to happen, yet the crime still occurred. As a lover of traditional film noir and neo-noir movies, I was hooked by the idea that the mystery of the book is not about figuring out who committed the murder in question, but rather, why nobody stopped it even though they knew about it. This is the main question that drives the story and left me contemplating the answer long after I had finished the mere 120 pages.

Nothing was really said about the character of Santiago Nasar to justify his awful fate, which throws the tired notion of redemption out the window. In fact, nothing seems to explain why Santiago had to die. The reason for his death is also shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. Basically, Santiago took Angela Vicario’s virginity, and thus, ruined her marriage with a wealthy man named Bayardo San Roman. Angela’s twin brothers then take it upon themselves to punish Santiago for what he did and reclaim the family’s honor. The uncertainty stems from several testimonies by the villagers that cast aspersions on whether Santiago actually slept with Angela or not. Therefore, the theme or moral of “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” is very unclear, as it is unable to come up with any type of justification for the brutal death of the victim. But, maybe that is the point. Perhaps Gabriel Marquez is trying to illustrate the unfairness and randomness of life, and how bad things happen to good people while good things happen to bad people. The whole story captures the chaos and the various ups and downs of life, and not just with the character Santiago Nasar. Angela Vicario eventually becomes a lonely woman who sends thousands of letters to her former groom-to-be Bayardo San Roman. And Bayardo San Roman, once the most handsome and sought-after man in the village, ends up becoming obese and potentially equally as lonely as Angela. Similarly to Santiago, these two characters really did not do anything to deserve this fate. Unlike most authors, who usually provide a clear message in their stories, Gabriel Marquez leaves it up to the reader to decide for themselves what the message is. I understand that this may not be for everyone, but if it is in your niche, then this book is absolutely perfect.

In all, I found “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” to be a captivating (if rather esoteric) read that put an interesting spin on the murder mystery tale. Despite my feelings, however, the book may not be for everyone. For those who enjoy a plethora of characters who are relatable and real, they will not find it here. I, myself, did not feel attached to any of the characters, and, to be honest, they merely were like puppets: very fake, wooden, and overall most of them were devoid of any personality. What really drives the book is its plot, so for people who are looking for anything more, I would not suggest this story. But, for individuals who enjoy a fresh take on a tired genre, an engaging plot that can be gleefully complex and confusing, and an ambiguous yet profound theme, I would wholeheartedly recommend it a space on your bookshelf.

Overall: 90/100

The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret

Shaurya S.

Chronicle of a death foretold by Gabriel García Márquez is a book that really baffles me as the reader. I chose it because I normally love mysteries; when choosing a book, it’s hard to go wrong with a good mystery. In general, mysteries are hard to put down, and have great climaxes. In truth, Chronicle of a death foretold is no different in that sense, but be warned: this is one weird-ass book. The book is written in a really suspenseful and beautiful way. I was excited as I read through the book. At one point, I felt myself get frustrated because the pages wouldn’t turn fast enough. The characters seem organic and real, as if you can really empathize with them. However, they are also just weird enough to keep you wondering as you read. Unlike a normal murder mystery the book doesn’t center around one person or one suspected killer; in the book it seems like the whole town seems to be involved in some strange way (Picture Hot Fuzz). Everyone seems to know about the plot to kill Santiago, yet no one does anything. Also, it seems like the killers don’t even want to follow through with the task, yet, for some reason, they do so anyway. This inherent weirdness is probably the reason I was so enthralled as I read. So, why on earth would I give this book such an average rating if I was so hooked as I read it? The ending. That was the reason. The whole book builds up fast and my hunger for the truth just grew alongside it. But the ending left me with nothing concrete. Seriously? You're gonna make me incredibly curious, and then just leave me hanging? It seemed like instead of giving a full meal to satisfy my hunger, they gave a little morsel and sent me packing. I felt that I was never given any sort of closure at all. I was so frustrated that I was left with no final answer. Yea, Yea it’s on of those “The reader must take it upon thyself to choose an answer because it is he who has the real power” fancy literary endings, but it still infuriates me! It feels like all the characters just said, “oh well, we couldn't really figure it out, we’ll get it next time. Let’s go eat dinner!”. Maybe everyone in that town is just really freakin amazing at keeping a secret; whatever, I’m too damn frustrated to care anymore.