Review of Love in the Time of Cholera (2007) by Philip S — 27 Sep 2008

Love in the Time of Cholera got its first real publicity in the John Cusack romance, Serendipity (2001). It played an integral role in that movie. Now, years later, the book which made itself known in another movie, has become a movie itself. The book and movie are both aimed at female audiences. But even those female audiences who have yet to read the book or even see the movie may want to think twice about doing either one.

The story presented here is rather disturbing in the long run. It is not your typical boy meets girl, loses her, gets her back in the end movie. The main character, Florentino Araza, sees a beautiful young woman when he is a young man, and falls for her without even knowing her. The young woman, Fermina Daza, falls just as much for him, although neither one knows the other. Fermina's father forbids any chance of relationship and leaves the coutnry with her.

Years later when she returns, Fermina pushes Florentino away because of everything that had happened. As a result, Florentino ends up pining for Fermina the rest of his life. Here's where things get rather disturbing.

In his own twisted way, Florentino tries to fill the void in his heart by sleeping with over six hundred other women, while still pining for Fermina. Florentino even goes so far as to keep a list of all of his conquests throughout his life. He sleeps with other women right up to the day that Fermina's husband dies, only to met her and tell her he had waited his entire life for her.

Some may call Florentino's story romantic. But those who look at this story with clearer eyes would see both Florentino and Fermina's hsuabdn as despicable. Florentino is despicable in that he tried to claim his love and fidelity for Fermina all while sleeping with other women. Fermina's husband was despicable in that he amrried only for position, rather than for love.

Some audiences and readers may find this story to be romantic. But in reality, it is just as disturbing and 'sickening' as the time in which Florentino and Fermina lived.