[ book tip by Ann Morgan ] 'Tell him the only thing I want in life is to be a writer, and that's what I'm going to be.'

In Living to Tell the Tale, one of the twentieth century's greatest writers, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, sets out the events of his early life from his birth in Colombia in 1927 up to the 1950s and the proposal to his future wife. Amidst the volatile and colourful landscape of South America, the young Marquez has to fight the most punishing battle of all: convincing his parents to set him free from their ambitions and allow him to follow his dream. Once free, he makes his way to the city where, scraping a living as a rookie journalist, he is caught up in the events of the revolution which will shape both the history of the continent and the stories that will make his name.

Passionate, thrilling and awe-inspiring, this is, above all, a book about an individual clinging to the knowledge of his own talent and ambition whilst the world around him buffets, blasts and rages, and does its best to wrench him away. For anyone who has ever harboured ambitions to write, it is a must, but its poetry, beauty and fervour will delight anyone who picks it up. Lock yourself away and read it: this book will enrich your life.

[ book info ] Márquez, Gabriel García: Living to Tell the Tale.