Book of Gabriel Garcia Marquez speeches released

[October 30, 2010]  MEXICO CITY (AP) -- The new compilation of speeches by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is entitled, of course, "I Didn't Come Here to Make a Speech."

The title is true to the spirit of absurdity that characterizes "magical realism," the literary style the Colombian-born Garcia Marquez pioneered.

The book starts with a 1944 speech he made at a high school graduation, and includes his 1982 Nobel Literature Prize acceptance speech.

Editor Cristobal Pera said the speeches show how Garcia Marquez evolved as a writer and thinker. The speeches touch on politics, literature and other topics.

Garcia Marquez did not attend Thursday's presentation of the book, but Pera said he "is doing very well for a man of 83 who has overcome cancer."

[Associated Press]

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