In Evil Hour
Avon Books
1968
Translated from the Spanish by Gregory Rabassa
Ms. Hen decided to read this book because she has read every
other novel by Marquez, and she wanted to finish them all. This is not
considered his best book, but it is his first published novel. Ms Hen didn’t
like this as much as she liked the others. She thinks there may have been
something wrong with the translation, because the prose is not as liquid and
glorious as the other books she has read.
Even so, there are hints of the genius to come in this
novel. Some elements of other novels appear, such as a telegraph office, and
twisted love affairs. Ms Hen thinks that some writers have distinct styles that
echo in all their works. Marquez is one of those writers whose voice carries
in the scope of his writing. Another author who Ms. Hen believes follows this
tradition is Haruki Murakami. All his books are fantastic, but they are similar
and have recognizable traits.
Even though Ms. Hen doesn’t think this is the best Marquez
novel ever, she finds it worthwhile to look back to where he started, to see
the how the seed of brilliance first sprouted.
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