Meem's Reviews > Love in the Time of Cholera

While some might see Love in the Time of Cholera as a love story, the relentless narrative of Gabriel García Márquez challenges such an interpretation. Instead, the novel presents love in many of its forms. From forbidden and unrequited love to obsession and desire, Márquez leaves no aspect of love unexamined. Twilight, Wuthering Heights, The Great Gatsby, and Great Expectations are grouped in my head because in their exploration of human emotions their characters' actions often blur the lines between affection and selfishness. Fermina's decision to marry for stability rather than happiness leaves her feeling like a ghost in her own life, while Florentino's 622 reveal a darker side to his romantic nature.

In my reviews of these stories, I often find myself having to justify why I am so drawn to the theme of unrequited love. Recognizing that literature doesn't always depict healthy relationships or idealized versions of humanity, some of us still find ourselves drawn to these stories because they reflect aspects of our own experiences, emotions, and struggles. Themes of longing, desire, and emotional connection in dark settings resonate with readers with trauma, as they reflect the complexities of their experiences, potentially fostering acceptance of oneself. Despite their flaws, these characters are multidimensional enough to invite empathy.

I love that.