Literary Speed Dating: Memories of My Melancholy Whores
Keep in mind: Literary Speed Dating is merely an allegory. Through this, I offer you a book walkthrough and recommendation without spoilers
eHarmony™ and Match.com™ are both reported for great success in the dating and marriage scene. The Tinder™ and Plenty of Fish™ routes are more one-night-stands, from what I understand, though I’ve heard of successful relationships, too. In either case, I preferred the traditional route in dating, and am glad I did. I found my husband in my apartment complex and our love story is a hopeless romantic kind of thing that I’d never give up in a million years. Score 1 for tradition!
One of the things I love about him is that he supports my book dating addiction. Expensive and time-consuming, he still gives up both because he knows how much I love it and is there 100%. I couldn’t imagine loving someone more supportive.
I’ve been involved with Literary Speed Dating (hosted by Barnes & Noble) since I was 13. It’s an all-ages event that connects available readers with books in need of attention. I had no intention of getting into something like that despite my friends’ insistence that I try Library Dating. But, when my mother was looking for something, I came across a beautiful cover and couldn’t help but check out her back blurb. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (by Gregory Maguire) was my first date and I still have feelings for her. However, she had no intention for anything long-term and our fling had to end. I still keep her nearby, though.
In 2017, I went through a phase when I didn’t want to really be with anyone too long term during the summer while my husband was gone. While tutoring a student on one of Hemingway’s works, I came across a novella called Memories of My Melancholy Whores (by Gabriel Garcia Marquez). Just his name alone made him stand out, and I quickly found that his uniqueness goes far beyond that.
We had one date–just one.
Though I did find him interesting in the time we spent together, Memories was just not exactly for me. He came off as too disconnected from the world. I felt like he would go off on tangents at times. And, though it would make sense later, there wasn’t any real warning and our conversation was many times confusing. I use the word unique to describe him, but what I really mean is odd. He was obsessed with a child; the horrific aspect of that is that he’s in his 90’s. Yeah, you read that right.
I do have to admit, the emotional connection he developed was a kind of devotion that impressed me. He seemed to change multiple times right before my eyes. His love for her was obviously real–but that was the problem. His love for this child was real…
In the end, I deleted his contact information. Memories really turned me off to anything from Marquez. I just couldn’t get into it and it creeped me out how all over the place he seemed. It’s out of sheer interest in others’ reactions and interpretations that I recommend a night with him. Maybe you’ll have better luck with him than I did. From what I’ve read of reviews, other people have.
What are your experiences with Memories of My Melancholy Whores? Let us know below and on social media–including Goodreads. Don’t forget to sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter, too.
