Me + gingham + book Sex and solitude. This book primarily occupies itself with these topics. Not that I mind, of course - both are interesting, and Marquez does it so well . Solitude chronicles several generations of a family, the Buendias, living through political unrest, wars, and technological advancements in an unnamed South American country. Each family member's life and character is precisely and tenderly captured. This careful character-building impressed me because there are so many family members. But attention is paid to practically every aunt, relation-by-marriage, adopted daughter, illegitimate son, concubine, and parent. I loved all of them. Additionally, I love the book's magical realism style. It gives the story new and enchanting depth - for example, yellow butterflies cling to one character, and another is pursued by the cloc-cloc-cloc sound of her parents' bon...