Lust in the Time of Cholera

"This is one of the greatest love stories I have ever read."
-Oprah

"This is one of the creepiest stalker stories I have ever read."
-Becky

I have long disagreed with Oprah's taste in books, but this one takes the cake. This book, in my opinion, is the antithesis of a love story.

1985

Florentino, after trying unsuccessfully to woo 16-year-old Fermina through love letters and poetry, is rejected and goes on to obsess about her for 60+ years. He spends his life "waiting for her," showing up in places where he can watch her and her husband from a distance, remodeling his house in hopes of one day sharing it with her, buying a mirror because he saw her in it. And all the while sleeping with pretty much anything that moves ... prostitutes, married women, widows, random women he meets on the street, and, in an unbelievable grand finale, his 14-year-old niece of whom he is legal guardian.  (Who, by the way, is so crushed upon learning that her 70-years-older lover has moved on that she commits suicide.)

Ah ... love is grand, isn't it?

This book is a 400 page description of all Florentino's lovers and their various love-making episodes.

I failed to see the beauty in the writing, because I was so intensely disturbed by the subject matter.

So.

1. It took me two tries to finish this book
2. I'm SO glad I'm done with it.

Here's to hoping the corresponding drink will salvage the book a bit. It involves kahlua and cream.