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Cover of The Autumn of the Patriarch
Literary Fiction· Colombia

The Autumn of the Patriarch

by Gabriel García Márquez
Aggregate Editorial Score70/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1975271 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

When Gabriel García Márquez published The Autumn of the Patriarch in 1975, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. A Caribbean dictator of indeterminate age—somewhere between 107 and 232 years old—presides over a crumbling empire of delusion and terror in García Márquez's most formally daring novel. Written in hypnotic run-on sentences that sometimes stretch for pages, it is a magnificent meditation on absolute power and its corrupting isolation. Themes of dictatorship, power, solitude run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1975.

Book Details

AuthorGabriel García Márquez
Published1975
Country of Origin🇨🇴 Colombia
LanguageEnglish
Pages271
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780060914691
Editorial Score70/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

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Country of Origin

🇨🇴 Colombia

This book is part of Colombia's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Colombia →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1975, Gabriel García Márquez's The Autumn of the Patriarch is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with dictatorship, power, solitude, Latin America gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Nobel Prize in Literature 1975. Its aggregate editorial score of 70/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes The Autumn of the Patriarch is how it handles its central concerns — dictatorship, power, solitude, Latin America — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Autumn of the Patriarch reflects Gabriel García Márquez's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Colombia's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
197560
✍️
About the Author
Gabriel García Márquez
Colombia
View Author →

Gabriel García Márquez is a celebrated author from Colombia known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Autumn of the Patriarch about?

A Caribbean dictator of indeterminate age—somewhere between 107 and 232 years old—presides over a crumbling empire of delusion and terror in García Márquez's most formally daring novel. Written in hypnotic run-on sentences that sometimes stretch for pages, it is a magnificent meditation on absolute power and its corrupting isolation.

Who wrote The Autumn of the Patriarch?

The Autumn of the Patriarch was written by Gabriel García Márquez, from Colombia. First published in 1975.

What awards has The Autumn of the Patriarch won?

The Autumn of the Patriarch has received the following awards and honours: Nobel Prize in Literature 1975.

Is The Autumn of the Patriarch worth reading?

The Autumn of the Patriarch is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 60/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in dictatorship, power, solitude.

Where can I buy The Autumn of the Patriarch?

You can buy The Autumn of the Patriarch on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Autumn of the Patriarch?

The Autumn of the Patriarch is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Autumn of the Patriarch from?

The Autumn of the Patriarch originates from Colombia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Colombia on our country page.

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