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#766) NOSTROMO, Joseph Conrad- Written sixty-odd years before one of the greatest books ever written- One Hundred Years of Solitude- Conrad's Nostromo bears a remarking similarity to Marquez's genius work of magical realism, minus the magical realism (though there is some talk of ghosts). Setting? A fictional country in America's southern hemisphere that is isolated from the rest of the world. Problems? A western company that invades the small town with their business venture. Characters? A rogue who wanders the country going from battle to battle during a Civil War. Precious metals? Silver instead of gold. Reading this book, and enjoying it more so than most other Conrad books, I could not help but think that Marquez read this same book and thought, How can I make this much livelier and crazy? Both are comments on modern society, people, greed, etc etc. Conrad is dry and highly detailed, but engaging; Marquez is the best writer of magical realism ever (Milagro Beanfield War be damned!)
MUST I HAVE READ THIS BOOK BEFORE I DIED: Yes
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