n  “They looked like two children," she told me. And that thought frightened her, because she'd always felt that only children are capable of everything.”n

I went into this one blind and was captivated by the first sentence, as is my case with all of Marquez's works. At first glance, it looks strikingly like a journalistic account of a violent yet deliciously gossip-worthy scandal written by an outsider. But as you delve deeper, even this very short novella provides a quest for a moral dilemma that one rarely finds in voluminous tomes. It is staggering that Marquez managed to explore it so profoundly, yet the theme is present in strictly as an undertone and never becomes the overlay of the prose.

And then there is the prose. I do not understand how, but Marquez's text always feels like it has been rewritten and congested so much that there is not a word wasted, yet there is room enough to not feel claustrophobic.

The main reason I can not rate it five is, however, not that it does not provide us with an experience as otherworldly as Marquez's lengthier proses or even No One Writes to The Colonel. In the novel I am working on, I had wished to bring up the very same dilemma without any idea that the work has already been done so masterfully also by one of my favourite authors. Not that I ever could have achieved this level of perfection. Still, I probably should have saved this novella for later. It would not have demotivated me :(

آمن الجميع بحماقة هيتشكوك أحد أهم المخرجين السينمائيين في العالم عندما قرر أن يقتل بطلة فيلمه الجديد بعد عشرين دقيقة و لم يحُل بينه و بين ذلك رفض شركة الإنتاج تمويل فيلمه الشهير " سايكو " الذي حقق نجاحاً عظيماً فيما بعد - إن لم يعدّ أكثر أفلامه نجاحاً -.

ماركيز ضارباً بالتشويق عرض الحائط يكتب بالسطر الأول نهاية روايته التي يقول عنوانها كل شيء تقريباً. بل يكرر ذلك في مقاطع أخرى بشيء من الاستفزاز. سانتياغو نصار المنحدر من أصول عربية يلقى مصرعه بأبشع ما يمكن حيث يتم تقطيعه إرباً بسكاكين خاصة بقتل الخنازير على يد الأخوين فيكاريو - بداعي الشرف - فالأخت التي عادت صبيحة اليوم التالي لزواجها المهيب و الذي كان الزواج الأشهر في القرية لم تكن عذراء. و بتحريض من خمر القصب و الحنق يخرج الأخوان بسكاكينهم الخاصة ليعلنوا للجميع بما في ذلك العمدة و الكولونيل و الكاهن و بقية أفراد القرية عن نية القتل. البعض لا يؤمن بقدرتهم على ذلك و البعض الآخر يعتقد أن لا حاجة لتحذيره فلم يحدث أن قُتِل أحدهم بهذه الدعايات الخرقاء. بينما تصمت البقية بكل لامبالاة و سلبية. حتى الكولونيل بكل وداعة قام بتجريدهم من أسلحتهم و صرفهم للنوم عندما التقى بهم قبيل حدوث الفاجعة بساعتين. عندما يقتلونه لاحقاً سنجدهما يركضان إلى الكنيسة للاعتراف ببرائتهما و بجريمة القتل أيضاً. ليس لدافع الشرف فقط بل لأنهما قد أخبرا الجميع و لم يثنهما أحد عن فعلتهما تلك! بكل كانا قد نصبا كمينهما في المكان الذي يمكَن الجميع من رؤيتهما و ياللسخرية فهو نفس المكان الذي من المستبعد جداً أن يسلك سنتياغو الطريق المؤدي إليه. و ماركيز إذ يتسائل عن القدر و مصير الإنسان و عاقبة أعماله لن يمنحك الفرصة حتى لتطمئن إلى أن سنتياغو نصار هو من هتك عذريتها. في الرواية يلقى اللوم بالكامل على المجتمع و يدين تصاعد العنف البشري و الوحشية التي لا يكف الإنسان عن تطويرها. استغرقت كتابة هذه الرواية ثلاثة عقود! لا، لم يكن يكتبها طوال تلك الفترة. بل كان يحملها في جنبه فسنتياغو ليس سوى كيتانو خينتلي صديق ماركيز المقرب! و الأخوين فيكاريو هما في الحقيقة تشيكا! و قد توسلت والدة ماركيز أن لا يدوّن هذه الأحداث في روايته و قد أطاعها حتى قضت أغلب الشخصيات الحقيقية نحبها - و إن تقدم عليه أحدهم بدعوى خاسرة في المحاكم الكولومبية مطالباً بتعويض لا يقل عن نصف مليون دولار -. فالرواية في طبعتها الأولى تجاوزت مليونين نسخة في رقم قياسي و فريد من نوعه. الراوي هو ماركيز و إن لم يصرّح بذلك يكفي أن نتذكر أن والدة الراوي تحمل اسم والدته كما سنجد ميرثيدس زوجته و أخته المفضلة مارغوت و أخويه أيضاً.

رواية عبقرية تزيد عن المئة صفحة و ما لا يمكنني نسيانه أبداً هو مشهد سنتياغو نصار حين تأتيه الأصوات تدعوه للحذر من كل جانب و هو يمضي بكل عزم نحو الفاجعة.

Tercera relectura en enero de 2024. Es extraño: Cada vez que leo esta novela, es como si la leyera por primera vez, porque encuentro detalles que pasé por alto con anterioridad. En esta ocasión, me ha deslumbrado la mansión del viudo de Xius, la cual Bayardo San Román compró con la ilusión de hacer feliz a Ángela Vicario y desde donde se veía el horizonte del Mar Caribe; así como la obsesión de Ángela por el hombre que fue su esposo por cuatro horas, y al que perdió por siempre. Y me conmovió la determinación de los gemelos Vicario de no cumplir su cometido y anunciarlo a todo el mundo, y que nadie les creyera y terminaran asesinando para lavar el honor de la hermana, ante una sociedad cerrada y obsesionada con un ideal de mujer.
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“Del otro lado se divisaban los sembrados de plátanos azules bajo la luna, las ciénagas tristes y la línea fosforescente del Caribe en el horizonte”.

En una entrevista, Gabo dijo que empezó esta novela con la muerte del protagonista, Santiago Nassar, porque él tenía la costumbre de leer el final de las novelas o cuentos y sabía que mucha gente era cómo él. Entonces, decidió abrir con la muerte del protagonista y con la maestría propia de un excelente escritor, a pesar que ya sabemos el final, es imposible dejar de leer.

A pesar que, como los personajes en esta novela, los lectores también sabemos que el asesinato de Santiago es inminente, nada podemos hacer, y simplemente, nos dejamos conducir por la narración para identificar a los asesinos, sus motivos, la mujer que desató todo. Sabemos que es imposible detener el asesinato de Santigo y aún así, vive algo de esperanza, deseamos entrar en el relato y detener a los hermanos Vicario. Pero su destino ya está sellado.

Y por eso, creo que este libro es magistral: aún y cuando el desenlace es conocido muy temprano, nunca se pierde el interés, la duda. Y es que quizá, lo que nos mantiene es algo que García Márquez no resuelve -¿quién fue el causante de la tragedia de Santiago, Angela Vicario y Bayardo San Román? ¿Importa? Quizá sí... pero saberlo, no cambiaría nada de la perfección de esta historia.

Madre mía!
Lo primero que pensé al terminarlo fue "que injusticia"
Creo y afirmó que el culpable fue el pueblo entero por no prevenirlo a tiempo y por no parar a los hermanos.
El libro comienza ya anunciándote que a Santiago Nasar ese lunes lo van a matar! Y por medio de un narrador sin nombre vamos a ir descubriendo cual fue el motivo del crimen y porque nadie hizo nada.
Me gustó muchísimo! La narración y la noticia de esta muerte ya anunciada están muy bien construidas!
Voy a seguir leyendo a García Márquez, un final excelente que me revolvió el estomago.

4 ⭐️

**English Below – Some possible spoilers but not much you won’t find on the GR book page**


Yo leyendo esta novela en español es un ejemplo clásico de un tontito que intenta correr antes de caminar! Me ha costado mucho a terminarlo y como resultado del vocabulario avanzado fue un proceso lentísimo! Pero bueno, mi primera lectura de Marquez, hecho! ✅

Es una maravillosa novela corta sobre las tradiciones anticuadas, la reciprocidad del amor y el odio, y la irresistibilidad del destino, que sucede en un pueblito colombiano de la época 1950s.

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Me Reading this novella in Spanish is a classic example of an idiot trying to run before they can walk! It took some effort to work through and as a result of the tricky vocabulary was a very slow process but, hey! My first Marquez done and dusted!

It’s a wonderful novella regarding antiquated traditions, the reciprocity of love and hate, and the irresistibility of fate and it all takes place in a small Colombian town in the 1950s.

Santiago Nasar was murdered 27 years ago by the V(S)icario brothers. A violent but, many of the townspeople would suggest, necessary act in restoring their sister Angela’s honour; tarnished after Bayardo San Roman returned her to her parent’s doorstep on the night of their wedding having discovered that she was (GASP!!) NOT a virgin!

Our narrator has returned to his home town in an attempt to produce an accurate account of what occurred by rebuilding the broken mirror of memory with the many scattered splinters that are the unreliable testimonies of the townspeople. In utilising a town full of unreliable narrators, Marquez highlights the fallibility and inaccuracy of human memory, selective or otherwise, and the role this can play in the retelling of histories long past (or even relatively recent).

Almost the entire town had been made aware that the Vicario brothers were planning to kill Santiago Nasar (thanks largely to the brothers themselves practically screaming out for someone to stop them from doing so), however, by way of disbelief, negligence, convenience, pure malice, or plain bad luck, no one was able to prevent it.

So, are the Vicarios solely to blame? Are the townspeople culpable? Did Santiago get what was coming to him? Well, maybe, possibly, probably BUT I felt there were far too many coincidences, universal negligence, and rotten luck to place the blame on one individual or group. While I’m almost certain Marquez’s intention was to put the spotlight on the morality of the town as a collective, their presumed shared responsibility and the weight and consequence of the mindless defence of honour, I actually felt more like the reader was ushered to the conclusion that something or someone far more powerful than ourselves is pulling the strings so when the fates have assigned you a date or when death’s scythe scratches at your door, whichever way you want to look at it, your number’s up, them’s the brakes!

A short but thought-provoking and gorgeously written novella; dreamy and atmospheric, as if viewing the memories of the townspeople through a crystal ball or reflected off the surface of a lake. Clear enough, but distorted somewhat by the convexed or rippling lense through which they are shared. I’ll be back for more Marquez.

Brilliantly told....

I've just re-read this novel; and I've just remembered why it stuck with me after reading it the first time.

I have since learned that the novella is based on a true story, in which the author himself had been involved. This caused the book to carry even more of a disturbing impact for me.

The novel (novella? it's rather short) starts off in detective/journalistic investigative fashion; at first it seems casual and desultory; the narrator seems to be merely reporting. However, in spite of the text having the discipline and surface appearance of a journalistic style, when you realise that the author himself was emotionally impacted by the events, it dawns on you that the author has been attempting to work through his own horror and grief and helplessness at the events described in the book. The disciplined style in which he narrates, and the way in which he arranges the seemingly eclectic (but upon reflection obviously thoughtfully arranged) recollections, adds to the haunting and reflective qualities of the narration.

It is only at the very end of the book that the author exposes one to the more visceral horror of the events, and here the journalistic, almost dispassionate narrative style serves to very effectively portray the horror inherent in this death that was so thoroughly foretold.

The material has been so cleverly arranged that the narration picks up in emotional impact as the "investigation" develops, and the story finishes off with a visceral climax that leaves you feeling as if you had been punched in the solar plexus.

It is a brilliant look at a set of events that was precipitated not only by acts, but by a certain mindset, - a single sexual act ended up affecting an entire town, and the effects could still be felt twenty seven years later.

At the start of his investigation the author sets out to seek answers as to the "why" the death happened. Throughout the book he presents a thousand "if only's"; - of instances of how the death could have been avoided if only this or that had happened slightly differently.

The townspeople seem to believe it was a fait accompli because it was either ordained by fate, or, since it was a deed of "honour" within a certain religious mindset, it "had to" be done.

I get the feeling that these are not the sentiments of the author himself though, and that at the end, he is left with the same rage of helpless incomprehension; which is yet subtly laced with a certain fatalistic acceptance, that he leaves the reader with. The most ironic twist for me was that it was the victims' own mother, who, at the very end, while actually trying to save her son, unwittingly finally sealed his fate.

PS. It would seem that whomever did the Goodreads description introducing the novel, got hold of the wrong plot. It doesn't describe quite the correct set of events that take place in the novel, or even the actual POV of the novel, but oh, well...

This book reminded me of the case of Kitty Genovese...a crime committed not only by the criminal but also by individuals who could not be bothered to become involved. This would be a great book for a police officer transitioning into the role of detective to read; a very philosophical approach to investigations.

Death will catch us all, grab our bones and run, but few as unaware as those whose deaths have been foretold.

Everybody knew this will be his last day on earth. Everybody knew why they will kill him. Everybody but him. This is one of my favorite short novels from Garcia Marquez. From the title to the last word we know what will happen and why but the surprise is hidden in the was it right?

If you want a book that will leave a endurable mark in your subconscious ramblings (you know, those little thoughts our brain thinks about without our consent) try this one and then tell me if there was a reason for him to die.

Pork Brothers Knock Off Santiago!

Yeah, you haven’t read too many review titles like that on GR and I doubt you will in future.

But this isn’t a mystery story. You know Santiago is going to cark it from line 1. On the other hand, very few murder stories have the great style and perfectly etched background of this one which takes place in a Colombian town in the first half of the 20th century. It’s not about “if”, “how” or “when”. It’s about the reasons “why”. Complex family relationships, power webs in a small town, the disinterested Church, the Arab immigrants, weddings and separations, machismo and virginity—all these fill the pages written in indelible prose by one of the 20th century’s greatest writers. Can you go wrong here?

And there remains a question, which Garcia-Marquez left for the reader’s imagination. Was Santiago actually guilty? Had he deflowered the bride of the fabulously rich and handsome man who appeared in town some time before? After the extravagant wedding, five hours later, the groom returned the bride, who, when questioned, uttered only Santiago’s name. “Did he actually?” is not answered. It was insinuated, whispered, and understood by everyone in town. Santiago was no doubt a ladies’ man capable of the deed. He was thereby doomed. The pork-butcher brothers of the shamed bride had to save the family honor. The whole story is revealed during an investigation thirty years after the events by a narrator whose mother had ties to Santiago’s family and that of the rejected bride. Can we really get to the bottom of all crimes, can we really decide who is guilty, who is innocent on the basis of a few, but not all the facts? And, another thing: why is the death foretold? I would say it’s because the author is saying, “Given this society, in a case where a bride is discovered to not be a virgin, violence and probably murder are predictable.”

With way over 7,000 reviews already on Goodreads, I think I will stop here. Don’t miss the book.

عندما يكتب ماركيز لا يسعنا سوى الدهشة لهذا السحر الذي ينبثق من قلم هذا الرجل , هذه الخفة الآخاذة والسرد الممتع والأحداث التي تتشكل في الرواية على شكل لوحة متناسقة تنبعث منها رائحة الأدب اللاتيني بكل سماته وسحره وتأثيرة الواقعي على القاريء..

رواية خفيفة ومشوقة , تشبه فيلماً سينمائياً تتشكل أحداثه ببطء وتصل الى النهاية المفتوحة التي لامفر من البحث فيها عن أجابات كثيرة ومتناقضة تكمن في جسد الرواية نفسها..

A slim volume but not a quick read. Márquez deftly managed to pack so much in less than 150 pages.
The narrative structure is particularly interesting where we see the perspectives and recollections of a huge cast of characters about the foretold death - When, why and how Santiago Nasar was killed. This Chronicle of a death Foretold is ironic, a bit eccentric and head-spinning if you try to remember all the bits and pieces of details; sequence of events as seen and perceived by each person in order to put together pieces of the big puzzle.
The pair of murderers have sharpened knives in their possession - they announce their intention to kill Santiago Nasar before everyone they come across, even the policeman! Almost everyone is aware that Santiago Nasar is going to be murdered. Interesting to see how and why a death that could've been easily prevented couldn't be averted. Everyone has their own reasons, justifications and apprehension.
Aside from the obvious honor-killing and vengeance, there's a lot more in the story. It's also a deep look at the society, responsibility of each individual, pressure and expectations of community, double standards in a rather indirect way.
We also see what is expected of women and men in this community.

One of the characters says about her daughters:
"Any man will be happy with them because they've been raised to suffer."
Women are expected to be submissive, not to speak up for themselves and endure everything.

Men, on the other hand, do whatever they please. Standards for their morality, integrity and nobility are different.
One of the characters believes it was right for the brother to kill Santiago Nasar to restore the honor of his sister. According to her: I didn't only agree, I never would've married the man 'if he hadn't done what a man should do'.

In the end, it was mostly for the satisfaction of false pride and 'need' to meet expectations of society that led the murderers to the murder.