Netflix's adaptation of One Hundred Years of Solitude brings Gabriel García Márquez's famous novel to life, focusing on the complex Buendía family. The show is visually stunning and stays close to the original story, but it faces difficulties owing to the many generations and repeating names, such as José Arcadio and Aureliano.
Season 1 follows the first three generations of the Buendía family and ends around the middle of the book. The family tree, which is essential for understanding the relationships in Macondo, will grow more in One Hundred Years of Solitude Season 2. Currently, José Arcadio Buendía is the foundation of the family, and his descendants experience cycles of ambition, love, and tragedy.
This article looks at the key characters in One Hundred Years of Solitude, their relationships, and how they contribute to the magical realism of Macondo.
José Arcadio Buendía and Úrsula Iguarán are the founders of Macondo on One Hundred Years of Solitude
José Arcadio Buendía, played by Marco González and Diego Vásquez, is the father who dreams of creating a perfect town called Macondo. Without thinking too much, he leaves with his wife and cousin, Úrsula Iguarán (played by Susana Morales and Marleyda Soto).
Úrsula, the strong leader of the family, is practical, unlike her husband who is more idealistic. She worries about the possible problems of their close family relationship but shows strength and determination.
She starts a candy business to help support her family. Together, they build Macondo, facing many challenges to make José Arcadio's dream come true.
José Arcadio spends a lot of time on scientific studies, from alchemy to astronomy, which often keeps him away from his family. His passion for discovery is very different from Úrsula's steady and practical approach, making them an interesting pair on One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Úrsula's fear of having children with unusual features shows the idea of inherited problems and generational trauma. At the same time, her ability to start a business shows her flexibility and resourcefulness.
The first generation are José Arcadio, Colonel Aureliano, and Amaranta
José Arcadio, the oldest child (played by Édgar Vittorino), is very much like his father in his quick decisions and actions. He has a difficult relationship with Pilar Ternera, which leads to the birth of a son named Arcadio. However, José Arcadio leaves his family for many years, highlighting the common theme of leaving in the Buendía family.
Colonel Aureliano Buendía (played by Claudio Cataño) is the second son and the first baby born in Macondo. He is idealistic like his father, has visions of the future, and later becomes very important in the town's history. His life in the military, filled with rebellions and deep thinking, reflects the One Hundred Years of Solitude author's thoughts on violence and its recurrence.
One Hundred Years of Solitude is based on a famous novel with a well-known first line. That line clearly shows the fusion of myths and the human experience —
“Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.”
Amaranta Buendía, the oldest daughter, played by Loren Sofía Paz, struggles with love that never works out and fights with her sister, Rebeca, who was adopted.
Her name means "love" in Spanish, but she can't find love, making her one of the saddest characters at least in One Hundred Years of Solitude, the book.
The adopted and illegitimate children are Rebeca, Arcadio, and Aureliano José
Rebeca (Akima Maldonado) is the adopted daughter and has special qualities that make her stand out. Úrsula helps her with speaking and deals with her pica, which shows how close they are.
Rebeca’s difficult relationships with Pietro Crespi show how the book talks about love that doesn’t work out. Arcadio Buendía (Janer Villareal), who is José Arcadio’s secret son, becomes powerful when Colonel Aureliano is away, showing the bad side of the Buendía family — like being too controlling and overdoing things.
Aureliano José (Emilio Sánchez Vera), who is Colonel Aureliano’s son, makes everything more confusing by being in love with Amaranta on One Hundred Years of Solitude, even though they are family.
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You can watch One Hundred Years of Solitude only on Netflix.
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