Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Federico DN's Reviews > The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor

The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor by Gabriel García Márquez
Rate this book
Clear rating

by
29005117
's review

liked it
bookshelves: classics, memoir, non-fiction

Vivid.

1955, Caribbean Sea. Twenty years old soldier Luis Alejandro Velasco is part of the crew on board destroyer Caldas, traveling from the United States to Colombia. His life unexpectedly turning when a giant wave sent him and several of his mates flying to the sea, where he remained lost with little hope of being rescued.

A wondrous tale of survival based on true events, of how Velasco managed to survive lost at sea without food or water, in a poor state raft. Finally getting to safety when he reached beach shores ten days later, barely alive. A grand personality in his time, Velasco’s later life as much bleak as this fantastic tale, that launched Gabriel Garcia Marquez into stardom, and exile.

Another all-time classic by the immortal Gabo. A book probably every kid in Argentina had to read it at some point in school. After re-skimming it again decades later I can say that, although highly memorable, this is not one of my most favs of Marquez. Still, I’ll never forget how Velasco (view spoiler); the two encounters with the seagulls were both endearing and tearing. and also I'll never be able forget how he tried (view spoiler)

-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1955] [172p] [Classics] [Almost Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------

★★★★� Chronicle of a Death Foretold.
★★★★� Of Love and Other Demons. [3.5]
★★★☆� The Autumn of the Patriarch. [3.5]
★★★☆� The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor.
★★☆☆� No One Writes to the Colonel. [2.5]
★★☆☆� Strange Pilgrims: Twelve Stories.
★☆☆☆� Innocent Erendira and Other Stories. [1.5]

-----------------------------------------------

³Õí±¹¾±»å´Ç.

1955, Mar del Caribe. El soldado Luis Alejandro Velasco de veinte años es parte de la tripulación del ARC Caldas, viajando desde Estados Unidos a Colombia. Su vida inesperadamente dando un vuelco cuando una ola gigante lo manda volando a él y varios de sus compañeros al mar, donde permanece perdido con poca esperanza de ser rescatado.

Una maravillosa historia de supervivencia basada en eventos reales, sobre cómo Velasco logró sobrevivir perdido en alta mar sin comida ni agua, en una balsa en pobre estado. Finalmente llegando a seguridad cuando alcanzó la costa de la playa diez días después, apenas vivo. Una gran personalidad de su época, la vida de Velasco luego del incidente tan sombría como este relato fantástico, que lanzó a Gabriel García Márquez al estrellato, y exilio.

Otro clásico de todos los tiempos por el inmortal Gabo. Un libro que probablemente todo niño en Argentina tuvo que leer en algún momento en el colegio. Después de revisarlo décadas después puedo decir que, aunque altamente memorable, este no es uno de mis más preferidos de Márquez. Igual, nunca voy a olvidar como Velasco (view spoiler); los dos encuentros con las gaviotas fueron enternecedores y desgarradores, y tampoco jamás podría olvidar como él trató (view spoiler)

-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1955] [172p] [Clásicos] [Casi Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
459 likes ·  âˆ� flag

Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor.
Sign In »

Reading Progress

May 26, 2023 – Started Reading
May 26, 2023 – Shelved
May 30, 2023 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-50 of 57 (57 new)


message 1: by Fran (new)

Fran Federico....looking forward to your thoughts! Ahoy, mate!


Federico DN Fran wrote: "Federico....looking forward to your thoughts! Ahoy, mate!"

Thank you Fran! All done. Ahoy :D !


message 3: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer Welsh Memorable is good, even though not a favorite, Federico :)


message 4: by Karen (new)

Karen Great review, Federico! 🙂 I love survivor stories. This sounds like a great one.


message 5: by Karen (new)

Karen No rating though? 🤔


Federico DN Jennifer wrote: "Memorable is good, even though not a favorite, Federico :)"

Yup, I guess it is Jennifer :p


Federico DN Karen wrote: "Great review, Federico! 🙂 I love survivor stories. This sounds like a great one."

Karen wrote: "No rating though? 🤔"

Thank you Karen! It's short and impactful in some way. LOL. I forgot to rate it, done :p


message 8: by Ian (new)

Ian Excellent review Federico! GGM is an author I've never read, although your reviews are starting to tempt me (for South American literature I've been more of a devotee of Vargas Llosa).


message 9: by Federico (last edited May 30, 2023 05:26AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Federico DN Ian wrote: "Excellent review Federico! GGM is an author I've never read, although your reviews are starting to tempt me (for South American literature I've been more of a devotee of Vargas Llosa)."

Thank you Ian! Both excellent and highly lauded authors, although even in all their greatness I think GGM is in a whole different level. Arguably the best ever latin american author of all time.


message 10: by Srivalli (new)

Srivalli Rekha This looks interesting! Cool review, Federico. The second spoiler... scary!


Federico DN Srivalli wrote: "This looks interesting! Cool review, Federico. The second spoiler... scary!"

Thank you Srivalli! Scary it is :/


message 12: by Rachel (new)

Rachel Hanes Wow! This definitely sounds interesting! I can’t even imagine being in a situation as scary as that. Fantastic review, Federico!!


Federico DN Rachel wrote: "Wow! This definitely sounds interesting! I can’t even imagine being in a situation as scary as that. Fantastic review, Federico!!"

And hopefully none of us will ever have to :p. Thank you Rachel!


message 14: by Meagan (new)

Meagan Great Review Federico! This sounds scary but intriguing.


message 15: by Thibault (new)

Thibault Busschots Sounds so scary to be lost at sea. Nothing to eat, nothing to drink. With the sun brutally shining down on you. Good review, Federico.


message 16: by Federico (last edited May 30, 2023 10:01AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Federico DN Meagan Brown wrote: "Great Review Federico! This sounds scary but intriguing."

It is kinda both lol. Thank you Meagan!


Federico DN Thibault wrote: "Sounds so scary to be lost at sea. Nothing to eat, nothing to drink. With the sun brutally shining down on you. Good review, Federico."

So scary! And sadly so often happens to marine travelers. Thank you Thibault!


message 18: by Imme (new)

Imme van Gorp Even though this might not be one of your favourites by the author, I have to say that the story on itself definitely sounds very intriguing. It just seems so harrowing to be lost at sea without any hope for rescue. God😟 And to read a story about that based on true events just seems like it should be super gripping to read, so it’s definitely disappointing to hear that that wasn’t reaally the case here🤔 Amazing review, Federico💕


message 19: by Federico (last edited May 30, 2023 10:50AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Federico DN Imme [hiatus] wrote: "Even though this might not be one of your favourites by the author, I have to say that the story on itself definitely sounds very intriguing. It just seems so harrowing to be lost at sea without an..."

Intriguing it is! Sadly non-fiction has never been my jam, not even with the penmanship of legendary Marquez. Thank you Imme :) !


message 20: by Ginger (new)

Ginger Fab review Federico!! I'll to check this out one day.


message 21: by Alexandra (new)

Alexandra I haven't heard of this one, actually! It sounds both interesting and scary. Nice review, Federico! Are you planning to read more Márquez?


Federico DN Ginger wrote: "Fab review Federico!! I'll to check this out one day."

It's worth it I think. Thank you Ginger!


message 23: by Federico (last edited May 30, 2023 11:24AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Federico DN Alexandra wrote: "I haven't heard of this one, actually! It sounds both interesting and scary. Nice review, Federico! Are you planning to read more Márquez?"

Thank you Alexandra! I need to re-skim and review "Of Love and other Demons", which I read ages ago. Then I'm planning to read "Love in the Time of Cholera" and "The Autumn of the Patriarch", but later on this year I think; and finally "One Hundred Years of Solitude", someday. Saving the best for last I guess xD


Rosh (Off GR duty for a fortnight!) Does sound compelling, though not memorable. I guess the lost-at-sea trope is fairly common in adventure stories, but the fact that this is based on true events elevates this work. Glad you still liked it, Feddie. Excellent review. :)


message 25: by Susan (new)

Susan Atherly Thank you for the thoughtful review, Federico!

I have heard of this book but did not realize it was by Márquez. My father had a copy and I should have read it then. Now I will look at it more closely.


Federico DN Rosh wrote: "Does sound compelling, though not memorable. I guess the lost-at-sea trope is fairly common in adventure stories, but the fact that this is based on true events elevates this work. Glad you still l..."

Yup, only true facts. Marquez wrote this story in first person perspective as Velasco, after interviewing him thoroughly. Thank you Rosh!


message 27: by Federico (last edited May 30, 2023 11:59AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Federico DN Susan wrote: "Thank you for the thoughtful review, Federico!
I have heard of this book but did not realize it was by Márquez. My father had a copy and I should have read it then. Now I will look at it more clo..."


Thank you Susan! Originally the novel was published as if Velasco had wrote it, but it was Marquez all along :p. I hear he also generously ceded all royalties to the survivor.


message 28: by A. (new)

A. :D?


message 29: by Federico (last edited May 30, 2023 01:33PM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Federico DN A. wrote: ":D?"

Siempre me alegra ver que mis personas favoritas ya leyeron el libro que leí 😘


message 30: by Alejandro (new)

Alejandro Me alegra que revisitaras un libro que por lo que veo, era lectura mandatoria en las escuelas de Argentina, y que aunque no fuera de lo mejor del gran escritor Gabriel García Márquez, pues que lo encontraras con suficiente valor con algunas escenas buenas y que no fuera una pérdida de tiempo para nada.


message 31: by A. (new)

A. Federico wrote: "A. wrote: ":D?"

Siempre me alegra ver que mis personas favoritas ya leyeron el libro que leí 😘"


Seeé, ya había entendido, noble Fede (Mi mamá siempre decía que yo era una chica muy despierta 🤪 No, no sé que me pasó) Muchas gracias por incluirme en sus favoritos. Me olvidé de decirle que me gustó la reseña de esta linda historia del gran Gabo.


Federico DN Alejandro wrote: "Me alegra que revisitaras un libro que por lo que veo, era lectura mandatoria en las escuelas de Argentina, y que aunque no fuera de lo mejor del gran escritor Gabriel García Márquez, pues que lo e..."

Gracias Alejandro! Creo que todo lo del señor Márquez es muy bueno, aunque para mí a veces no llega a ser muy disfrutable. Tiende a ser de medio a muy depre el gran señor xD. Pero bueno, los grandes escritores con frecuencia son así jajjaja.


Federico DN A. wrote: "Seeé, ya había entendido, noble Fede (Mi mamá siempre decía que yo era una chica muy despierta 🤪 No, no sé que me pasó) Muchas gracias por incluirme en sus favoritos...."

Muchas gracias a ud estimadísima y favoritísima Lady A.! A por más Gabo que todavía me quedan muchas de sus obras por leer xD


message 34: by Pedro (new)

Pedro Muy buena reseña, y administración de spoilers. Parece que te dejó un recuerdo fuerte; y fuiste relativamente afortunado con las lecturas obligatorias: en mi tiempo del secundario era literatura gauchesca, como El inglés de los güesos o De los campos porteños. El exilio de GGM se debió a que a través de esta historia puse en evidencia que el barco (militar) traía bienes importados para los gobernantes del momento en Colombia, como heladeras y hasta autos; y esta carga extra fue la que no permitió que el barco se salvara del naufragio. Un saludo, y espero, sin apuro, tu reseña de Del amor y otros demonios. Trataré de hacer lo mismo con esta novela. 😄


Federico DN Pedro wrote: "Muy buena reseña, y administración de spoilers. Parece que te dejó un recuerdo fuerte; y fuiste relativamente afortunado con las lecturas obligatorias: en mi tiempo del secundario era literatura ga..."

Gracias Pedro! Gabo no siempre encanta pero siempre es imposible de olvidar. Bajón lo de la literatura gauchesca, no conozco esas obras pero recuerdo lo mal que la pasé con Martín Fierro. Terrible como GGM tuvo que exiliarse por semejante pavada. Pensar las cosas y denuncias que suceden hoy en día en la política y ya está todo tan normalizado que ya a nadie le sorprende o importa xD


message 36: by Debra (new)

Debra Great review, Federico! Glad it was enjoyable the second time even if it wasn't a favorite.


Federico DN Debra wrote: "Great review, Federico! Glad it was enjoyable the second time even if it wasn't a favorite."

Thank you Debra! Marquez is great :)


message 38: by Sarah (new)

Sarah Three star rating, but I still want to read it... just based on the author!! Thanks for the heads up about this one, Feddie.


Federico DN Sarah wrote: "Three star rating, but I still want to read it... just based on the author!! Thanks for the heads up about this one, Feddie."

You are welcome WonderSarah! I think any of Marquez works is worth the try :)


Southern Lady Reads Love when books are based on true events! Great review Federico!


Federico DN Southern Lady Reads (Work is Nuts Right Now.. wrote: "Love when books are based on true events! Great review Federico!"

All true! Thank you SLR :)


message 42: by Tina (new)

Tina Nice review!!


message 43: by A (new)

A Mac Sounds like a good read for younger readers - glad you liked it overall, Federico, and great review!


Federico DN Tina wrote: "Nice review!!"

Thank you Tina :) !


Federico DN A wrote: "Sounds like a good read for younger readers - glad you liked it overall, Federico, and great review!"

Oh no it's good for all ages :p. Thank you Mac!


message 46: by Alejandro (new)

Alejandro Federico wrote: "Alejandro wrote: "Me alegra que revisitaras un libro que por lo que veo, era lectura mandatoria en las escuelas de Argentina, y que aunque no fuera de lo mejor del gran escritor Gabriel García Márq..."

Cierto, algunas historia pueden ser bien hechas, pero tristes que eso no las hace malas, solamente no disfrutables pero siempre dignas de leerse.


message 47: by Terrie (new)

Terrie  Robinson Fabulous review, Federico! This sounds like such a tragic story and I’m glad your revisit to this was memorable.


Federico DN Terrie wrote: "Fabulous review, Federico! This sounds like such a tragic story and I’m glad your revisit to this was memorable."

Thank you Terrie! Marquez is not very enjoyable sometimes but he is always memorable :)


message 49: by Chantel (new)

Chantel what a wonderful review for an equally interesting read :) So interesting that its so well studied in Argentina & yet there are others by the author you love even more - says a lot about the quality of the author's work :)


Federico DN Chantel wrote: "what a wonderful review for an equally interesting read :) So interesting that its so well studied in Argentina & yet there are others by the author you love even more - says a lot about the qualit..."

Thank you Chantel! Yup, Marquez is excellent! Sadly school reads usually ruin everything lol.


« previous 1
back to top