Is Netflix’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” worth watching? 264z6n

Seen as one of the greatest works of world literature, One hundred years of Solitude (One Hundred Years of Solitude in the original and One Hundred Years of Solitude in the English version), by the author Gabriel García Márquez, gained a screen version after decades of resistance to audiovisual adaptations. With the authorization of his sons, Rodrigo and Gonzalo García Barcha, the Netflix explores this story in a two-part limited series. 6h705w

NOTICE: attention, this text contains SPOILERS from the first part of One hundred years of Solitude. It is recommended that you watch it before continuing reading.

Synopsis 6936h

As the plot's premise, after getting married against their parents' wishes, the cousins Jose Arcadio Buendia e Ursula Iguaran abandon the village where they live to embark on a journey in search of a new home. Accompanied by friends and adventurers, the couple arrives at the banks of a river of prehistoric stones, where they found a utopian city that they name Macondo. Several generations of the lineage of Good day will mark the future of this mythical city, tormented by madness, impossible loves, a bloody and absurd war, and the fear that a terrible curse will inevitably condemn them to a hundred years of solitude.

Book vs. series: what is adaptation and what is original creation 6hl5f

The Netflix adaptation of the book, created by Jose Rivera e Natalia Santa and directed by Alex Garcia Lopez e Laura Mora Ortega, is an ambitious translation of the masterpiece by Gabriel García Márquez, which manages to maintain the essence and complexity of the book, but also proposes to introduce necessary adjustments for the audiovisual format. Although the series is not afraid to embrace Márquez's symbolism and poetic prose, it faces the challenge of transforming an essentially introspective and dense novel into a dynamic visual narrative that captures the viewer's attention.

In the book, the narrative flow is marked by a writing style without conventional dialogue, where the omniscient narrator guides readers through the generations of the Buendía family in the fictional city of Macondo. This structure translates challengingly to the screen, and the series uses more elaborate dialogue than in the original work, in order to advance the plot and provide greater depth to the characters. Although much of this dialogue is taken directly from the text, there are moments when the adaptation moves away from the subtlety of the prose, creating a feeling of greater literalness, which at times contrasts with the more fluid rhythm of the book.

Visually, the series hits the nail on the head in capturing the surreal and poetic spirit of the novel. Images like the blood snaking through the city or the continuous movement through the Buendía family home are striking representations of the magical elements of the work, something that could easily seem exaggerated if not well executed. However, the poetic intensity of the book, which often relies on its ability to leave room for interpretation, is more explicit on screen, and can be seen as something more literal or “chewed up”, so to speak. 

In of narrative, the production, which portrays half of the book in its first eight episodes, chooses to speed up some ages, but still tries to maintain the contemplative slowness of the story – a factor that may even be a source of discomfort for viewers who prefer shorter and/or more dynamic episodes. However, for those who have read the book, the choice of accelerated ages may not have been good. For example, the meeting of the colonel Aureliano Buendía (Claudio Cataño) with his father's vision, which had more density in the original text.

Characters and performances 146f3d

The atmosphere created by the cast is so immersive that, at times, you feel like you become one of the Buendías and end up absorbing all the emotions that are explored in this universe. The actress Marleyda Soto, in the role of Ursula Iguaran, delivers a performance marked by objectivity and relentless toughness, while Claudio Catano, in the skin of Aureliano adult, explores the anguish of a man consumed by premonitions and ill-fated desires. 

Yes, Nicole Montenegro e Laura Grueso, who play the young and adult versions of Cardigan, manage to have an unparalleled dominance on the screen. Among some moments, it is worth highlighting the scene in which the young Rebeca arrives at the Buendía's door with a bag of bones, and later, when the character becomes a bold and ambitious woman. It is also worth highlighting the development of José Arcadio (Diego Vásquez). His obsession with inventions and alchemy replaces his concern for his family, leading him to increasing isolation.

Technical aspects 2e2i1i

The fictional city of Macondo, set in Colombia, in One hundred years of Solitude, is the setting where the Buendía family's fates intertwine, and its vibrant and intimate aesthetic sets the tone for the series. With its vivid colors and strong connection to nature, Macondo becomes more than just a stage: it is a reflection of the characters' very souls. 

In fact, the Buendía family’s meticulously designed home serves as a representation of the physical and metaphorical heart of the story. It is a place of growth and transformation, symbolizing the evolution of both the family and the town. As the world’s troubles begin to invade Macondo, the beauty of the place becomes even more striking, heightening the emotional tension as the characters face profound changes.

Still on the visual aspect, the impressive photography of Paulo Pérez and María Sarasvati manages to translate fantasy into stunning, poetic imagery. The expansion of Macondo onto the screen and the generations of Buendías are captured with careful attention to detail, as the setting transforms, as do the characters themselves. 

Already the production of Barbara Enriquez e Eugenio Caballero perfectly brings out elements of magical realism, such as the bleeding of a young woman in a river bath or the ghost of a dead man who insists on haunting the living. The series resists rushing, allowing each scene to unfold at a contemplative pace, whether in the dialogue between the characters or in the small details of everyday life, such as Úrsula's work in the kitchen, which becomes a reflection of family and social tensions.

Finally, it is worth highlighting the transition between the younger and adult versions of the characters. One hundred years of Solitude does this with great subtlety, and two of the most striking changes are in the characters José e Úrsula. The performances of Marco Gonzalez e Diego Vasquez , the José quality Susana Morales e Marleyda Soto , the Úrsula, respectively, bring a continuity that connects the generations, giving the plot an emotional fluidity. It is interesting to note that, while Úrsula gains more empathy and depth throughout the plot, José transforms and goes from a young dreamer to a man obsessed with his inventions.

Conclusion 60664y

The adaptation of the literary work One hundred years of Solitude for streaming manages to capture the essence of the spirit of magical realism that permeates Gabriel García Márquez's story. In a subtle way, the directors introduce striking moments without the narrative seeming forced or exaggerated, valuing naturalness and an unpretentious approach when working with the surrealism present in the original text. So answering the question: yes, the series is definitely worth checking out!

This characteristic was extended to the more delicate and heavy themes that the series portrays, such as abuse and other forms of violence. The production manages to put the viewer in an uncomfortable position so that they confront these issues, unlike the book which, because it has a more distant narrative, does not offer this place as much. 

Filmed in Colombia, with a mostly Colombian cast, the series, released in 2024, takes the audience on a journey that transcends time and memory, reflecting the cyclical nature of history and the inevitable mistakes of the past that insist on haunting the city. More than a simple adaptation, the production represents a delicate tribute to the legacy of Gabriel García Márquez, managing to recreate not only the story, but also the essence that characterizes the original plot.

Where to watch 4m2n35

The first part of One hundred years of Solitude, which has eight episodes, is available on NetflixThe second part is scheduled to be released later this year, also with eight episodes.

The interval between parts of the series can be an opportunity for viewers who are not familiar with the book to delve deeper into Márquez's work and identify the nuances and differences between literature and the streaming adaptation. 

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SOURCE

Netflix

reviewed by Tiago Rodrigues in 10 / 02 / 2025