Letter #31 Humans of a Cozy Cafe, Gabo & Magical Realism in Latin America
Realism can break a writer's heart.
Dear Friend,
Here I am, nestled in a cozy café within a charming bookshop. The air is filled with the enticing scent of coffee, while the lively atmosphere is adorned with captivating faces. My attention is drawn to a gentleman seated nearby, engrossed in his reading, meticulously jotting down notes in the margins of a book. I find myself curious about his choice of literature—is it a nonfiction piece? It's intriguing to ponder why someone would annotate a work of fiction. Perhaps their motives remain a mystery, as one can never truly tell.
The idea of annotating a work of fiction piques my curiosity; after all, I usually become so absorbed in the stories that I rarely consider taking notes.
Amidst my musings, the café remains abuzz with activity. I observe a young girl deliberating over her choice of coffee, grappling with the options before her. In contrast, a man standing behind her seems well-acquainted with the café's offerings, confidently placing his order. It's likely he frequents this place regularly. As for me, I've opted for an ice pour-over in a delightful light roast.
As I sit here, absorbed in my own thoughts with my cup of coffee, a lively conversation unfolds behind me. The voices of two individuals, brimming with confidence and authority, fill the air. Their topic of choice? Finance. The words they exchange echo throughout the café, drawing my attention despite my initial hesitation to eavesdrop. It becomes clear that one of them is an Investment Banker, and the other person is clearly impressed by their profession. While I can't quite catch the specifics of their discussion, their enthusiasm creates an undeniable energy in the atmosphere.
A sudden change unfolds around me. The gentleman who had been diligently taking notes decided to depart, leaving an empty seat beside me. Meanwhile, the young girl, after grappling with her choices, settles on an iced latte. Her eyes scan the café in search of an available spot, eventually landing on me. Feeling a hint of awkwardness, I hurriedly return to my reading. However, her query breaks the silence, "Hey, is this seat taken?"
I quickly respond, assuring her that the seat is indeed vacant. As she settles down, she places a book on the table—a work by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. My eyes widen with surprise, and I can't help but ask, "Oh, you enjoy reading Gabo's books?" Confusion flickers across her face, prompting her to apologize for not understanding. Realizing my error, I correct myself, emphasizing, "I meant Marquez." With a sense of relief, she responds, "Oh yes, I love Gabo." It becomes clear that our miscommunication was a matter of volume, leading to a brief moment of misunderstanding.
The conversation took a delightful turn as we delved into the realm of Gabo's books, from the timeless masterpiece "100 Years of Solitude" to the intriguing "Chronicle of a Death Foretold." My interest piqued further when she shared her perspective on magical realism in Latin American literature. According to her, the region's folklore and myths are brimming with captivating tales of magical realism. She went on to express that it wasn't a daunting task for Gabo to write such stories since Latin America itself provided an abundance of inspiration.
There's a certain beauty, I believe when strangers reveal uncharted paths. Something within us undergoes a reformulation, opening up new possibilities.
I’ll write again, my friend.
Yours,
Bohemian Dialogue