Summary

As a young woman, Fermina Daza kept a lengthy and passionate correspondence with Florentino Ariza, who was socially her inferior, but was desperately in love with her. They became engaged through their letters, exchanged through hiding places and telegrams in code.

But one day, when Fermina Daza comes close to Florentino Ariza in the market, she feels suddenly ill and tells him it was all a mistake. Instead, she marries Dr. Juvenal Urbino, a European-educated perfectionist, who falls in love with her on a medical visit. Their tumultuous but affectionate marriage lasts over fifty years, through a civil war, cholera outbreaks and the Doctor's brief affair with a patient. Juvenal Urbino distinguishes himself by instituting policies to combat cholera. He dies, falling from a tree as he attempts to catch his pet parrot.

Florentino Ariza comes to the wake. He is now about seventy and controls a wealthy shipping operation. After the other guests leave, he approaches Fermina Daza, saying, "I have waited for this opportunity for more than half a century, to repeat to you once again my vow of eternal fidelity and ever-lasting love."

She throws him out of the house, but continues to think of him. He becomes a regular visitor. Finally, they take a boat ride together, down the rivers that are being slowly drained and poisoned, listening for the cries of the manatees. They do not return, but prepare to sail on forever.

Commentary

The novel has an epic air to it, crossing so much time and carefully interweaving the development of the characters. The aged love of Fermina Daza and Florentino Ariza impresses with the wisdom and patience of age. Long sections of the book are devoted to Juvenal Urbino, including his ethical struggle over his desire for his patient, his horror at the medical conditions of his country after studying abroad, and his negotiations with Fermina Daza, who expects him to be a husband as well as a doctor.

Miscellaneous

Translated by Edith Grossman.

Publisher

Penguin

Place Published

New York

Edition

1988

Page Count

348

Secondary Source