What do you think?
Rate this book
Until August
Sitting alone beside the languorous blue waters of the lagoon, Ana Magdalena Bach contemplates the men at the hotel bar. She has been happily married for twenty-seven years and has no reason to escape the life she has made with her husband and children. And yet, every August, she travels by ferry here to the island where her mother is buried, and for one night takes a new lover.
Across sultry Caribbean evenings full of salsa and boleros, lotharios and conmen, Ana journeys further each year into the hinterland of her desire and the fear hidden in her heart.
Constantly surprising, joyously sensual, Until August is a profound meditation on freedom, regret, self-transformation, and the mysteries of love.
Across sultry Caribbean evenings full of salsa and boleros, lotharios and conmen, Ana journeys further each year into the hinterland of her desire and the fear hidden in her heart.
Constantly surprising, joyously sensual, Until August is a profound meditation on freedom, regret, self-transformation, and the mysteries of love.
Paperback
16 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Gabriel García Márquez
1,009 books42k followersGabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez was a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist. García Márquez, familiarly known as "Gabo" in his native country, was considered one of the most significant authors of the 20th century. In 1982, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
He studied at the University of Bogotá and later worked as a reporter for the Colombian newspaper El Espectador and as a foreign correspondent in Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Caracas, and New York. He wrote many acclaimed non-fiction works and short stories, but is best-known for his novels, such as One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967) and Love in the Time of Cholera (1985). His works have achieved significant critical acclaim and widespread commercial success, most notably for popularizing a literary style labeled as magical realism, which uses magical elements and events in order to explain real experiences. Some of his works are set in a fictional village called Macondo, and most of them express the theme of solitude.
Having previously written shorter fiction and screenplays, García Márquez sequestered himself away in his Mexico City home for an extended period of time to complete his novel Cien años de soledad, or One Hundred Years of Solitude, published in 1967. The author drew international acclaim for the work, which ultimately sold tens of millions of copies worldwide. García Márquez is credited with helping introduce an array of readers to magical realism, a genre that combines more conventional storytelling forms with vivid, layers of fantasy.
Another one of his novels, El amor en los tiempos del cólera (1985), or Love in the Time of Cholera, drew a large global audience as well. The work was partially based on his parents' courtship and was adapted into a 2007 film starring Javier Bardem. García Márquez wrote seven novels during his life, with additional titles that include El general en su laberinto (1989), or The General in His Labyrinth, and Del amor y otros demonios (1994), or Of Love and Other Demons.
(Arabic: جابرييل جارسيا ماركيز) (Hebrew: גבריאל גארסיה מרקס) (Ukrainian: Ґабріель Ґарсія Маркес) (Belarussian: Габрыель Гарсія Маркес) (Russian: Габриэль Гарсия Маркес)
He studied at the University of Bogotá and later worked as a reporter for the Colombian newspaper El Espectador and as a foreign correspondent in Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Caracas, and New York. He wrote many acclaimed non-fiction works and short stories, but is best-known for his novels, such as One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967) and Love in the Time of Cholera (1985). His works have achieved significant critical acclaim and widespread commercial success, most notably for popularizing a literary style labeled as magical realism, which uses magical elements and events in order to explain real experiences. Some of his works are set in a fictional village called Macondo, and most of them express the theme of solitude.
Having previously written shorter fiction and screenplays, García Márquez sequestered himself away in his Mexico City home for an extended period of time to complete his novel Cien años de soledad, or One Hundred Years of Solitude, published in 1967. The author drew international acclaim for the work, which ultimately sold tens of millions of copies worldwide. García Márquez is credited with helping introduce an array of readers to magical realism, a genre that combines more conventional storytelling forms with vivid, layers of fantasy.
Another one of his novels, El amor en los tiempos del cólera (1985), or Love in the Time of Cholera, drew a large global audience as well. The work was partially based on his parents' courtship and was adapted into a 2007 film starring Javier Bardem. García Márquez wrote seven novels during his life, with additional titles that include El general en su laberinto (1989), or The General in His Labyrinth, and Del amor y otros demonios (1994), or Of Love and Other Demons.
(Arabic: جابرييل جارسيا ماركيز) (Hebrew: גבריאל גארסיה מרקס) (Ukrainian: Ґабріель Ґарсія Маркес) (Belarussian: Габрыель Гарсія Маркес) (Russian: Габриэль Гарсия Маркес)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 4, 2025
I very much enjoyed the plot twists ✨
March 8, 2026
Blind Library Pick 📚
I went into this book without knowing what to expect. I actually went to the library in search of one hundred years of solitude (which they didn’t have 👎🏽) and came out with this instead.
Although short, I was surprised at how effortlessly this story flowed. It was a somewhat simple, gentle narrative but held some big, hard hitting themes. Through the main character, Ana, Márquez explores love, aging, and that uneasy feeling of being unfulfilled with life. There was something SO very vulnerable and real about this story. It’s not complex, yet has great emotional depth.
This was an unexpected treasure that held a profound, thought-provoking message that stays with you long after you close the book. Perfect for a one-sitting afternoon read 💝✨
3.5 🌟🌟🌟✨
I went into this book without knowing what to expect. I actually went to the library in search of one hundred years of solitude (which they didn’t have 👎🏽) and came out with this instead.
Although short, I was surprised at how effortlessly this story flowed. It was a somewhat simple, gentle narrative but held some big, hard hitting themes. Through the main character, Ana, Márquez explores love, aging, and that uneasy feeling of being unfulfilled with life. There was something SO very vulnerable and real about this story. It’s not complex, yet has great emotional depth.
This was an unexpected treasure that held a profound, thought-provoking message that stays with you long after you close the book. Perfect for a one-sitting afternoon read 💝✨
3.5 🌟🌟🌟✨
May 3, 2026
quick lil read
December 26, 2025
I can’t help but wish this book was longer, however, Ana Magdalena Bach felt very real so ticks for that, esp at the start and at guy 4 & 5
December 29, 2025
Good for completionists, probably not really necessary.
March 15, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
My first Márquez book!! Nice and breezy story but a great character study. I’m very intrigued by how Ana allows herself (albeit after bouts of self-loathing each time) to have sordid affairs once a year but acts like she’s going to die when she heard about her husband sleeping with someone else ONE time.
I did like the ending though, it felt right with the potential revelation of her mother being the same as her. Good book if you’re in a slump, you’ll fly through it.
My first Márquez book!! Nice and breezy story but a great character study. I’m very intrigued by how Ana allows herself (albeit after bouts of self-loathing each time) to have sordid affairs once a year but acts like she’s going to die when she heard about her husband sleeping with someone else ONE time.
I did like the ending though, it felt right with the potential revelation of her mother being the same as her. Good book if you’re in a slump, you’ll fly through it.
March 22, 2026
In true Marquez style, this novel takes you into a world of parakeets and blue lagoons, heady nights and love affairs. It’s a story about old age, loneliness and motherly legacy. The main character is well drawn and we are impelled to follow her on her journey, even if her choices do not entirely make sense. I found the ending quite abrupt, but see it as an attempt to finish the cycle she has started. There were some observations on life as a woman which were fairly astute coming from a male writer. Overall this had the ambiance and humanity of a Marquez novel, although the story needed a bit more development.
February 4, 2026
“furious with herself for the misfortune of being a woman in a man’s world.”
A story about desire, rituals and imperfect love
A story about desire, rituals and imperfect love
March 18, 2026
Ok the ending caught me off guard LOL but was a good book overall. Too short to get a real sense of the characters but felt good that I could finish a book quickly (it was 110 pages…)
April 27, 2026
mostly slurped thus up in my lunch hour. gabo (bc we’re mates) has the most distinctive descriptions and knowing that it’s about memory, edited in memory posthumously was particularly lovely.
April 9, 2026
I don’t know what I was expecting but it was interesting nonetheless. I appreciate the preface as I think this is probably not his most refined work, but knowing that gives it more depth - you can see where he continues to write despite his age and still tells a beautiful story. Some of the references were lost on me, but I think it gives a lot of perspective on humanity.
December 14, 2025
A good short book, Marquez uses so few words to immerse you in the characters world. It’s a collection of short stories based around protagonist Ana Bach, who travels every august to a Caribbean island to place flowers on the grave of her mother, spending a night away from her family and engaging in extra marital affairs.
It’s a quick read at just over a hundred pages, there is an ending despite being unfinished, although the ending is open to interpretation. It presents a woman and her sexuality from the perspective of a male writer, some times I think he gets a bit too caught up in Ana’s pert breasts rather than presenting the views of Ana. But the complicated relationship of Ana and her mother come across well, her mother despite being barely characterised seems a background presence throughout and comes up in the behaviour and consciousness of her daughter.
There is a lot left untold in this story, so you will have to fill in some of the blanks yourself, but it’s an enjoyable read, worth the short time spent.
It’s a quick read at just over a hundred pages, there is an ending despite being unfinished, although the ending is open to interpretation. It presents a woman and her sexuality from the perspective of a male writer, some times I think he gets a bit too caught up in Ana’s pert breasts rather than presenting the views of Ana. But the complicated relationship of Ana and her mother come across well, her mother despite being barely characterised seems a background presence throughout and comes up in the behaviour and consciousness of her daughter.
There is a lot left untold in this story, so you will have to fill in some of the blanks yourself, but it’s an enjoyable read, worth the short time spent.
March 15, 2026
It may have been a rogue choice to choose this book as my first Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel but ‘Until August’ was an easy read that found me when in needed it.
It’s concise, vulnerable & beautifully human.
The characters felt so real and flawed in such a human way that immediately blew any view of perfectionism of anyone out of the window. Personally I’d never read a story that explained ageing, love and still having unfulfilled desires which really summed up life and was very simply profound, taking on themes that are often romanticised in a very real way.
May read again when I’m older too as I think there’s more to take from it I’d understand more in later life.
It’s concise, vulnerable & beautifully human.
The characters felt so real and flawed in such a human way that immediately blew any view of perfectionism of anyone out of the window. Personally I’d never read a story that explained ageing, love and still having unfulfilled desires which really summed up life and was very simply profound, taking on themes that are often romanticised in a very real way.
May read again when I’m older too as I think there’s more to take from it I’d understand more in later life.
March 23, 2026
Finishing this book in a single day, I came away with a striking realization about communication is the very foundation of any relationship. The narrative subtly reveals how avoidance and emotional manipulation can distort reality between partners, gradually widening the distance between them. Over time, these unresolved tensions accumulate, transforming what was once meaningful into something hollow relationships reduced to mere formality. Márquez masterfully captures how a single moment can disrupt the ordinary and reveal truths we often choose to ignore.
Through the character of Ana Magdalena Bach, Márquez illustrates this transformation with remarkable nuance. Her annual visits to the island, initially intended as a ritual to honor her mother’s grave, take an unexpected turn after a single, intimate encounter by the man who leaves twenty dollars between the pages of her book. This seemingly fleeting moment becomes a catalyst for profound change, awakening desires and complexities she had long suppressed.
What makes the story particularly compelling is its exploration of generational patterns. Ana’s experiences mirror those of her mother, suggesting a cyclical nature of longing, secrecy, and emotional disconnection. The portrayal of a woman nearing fifty, navigating her identity and desires through affairs
Through the character of Ana Magdalena Bach, Márquez illustrates this transformation with remarkable nuance. Her annual visits to the island, initially intended as a ritual to honor her mother’s grave, take an unexpected turn after a single, intimate encounter by the man who leaves twenty dollars between the pages of her book. This seemingly fleeting moment becomes a catalyst for profound change, awakening desires and complexities she had long suppressed.
What makes the story particularly compelling is its exploration of generational patterns. Ana’s experiences mirror those of her mother, suggesting a cyclical nature of longing, secrecy, and emotional disconnection. The portrayal of a woman nearing fifty, navigating her identity and desires through affairs
December 30, 2025
Gabo’s wonderfully moving last novel is a poignant examination of the sweet, solemn storms within the human heart.
The text has a gorgeously quiet, ephemeral quality that makes you recognise Gabo’s unmistakeable penchant for emotional veracity instantly.
Yes, the novel was published posthumously against Gabo’s wishes. Yes, as his sons themselves have said, it is a betrayal. Yes, the prose might not be perfectly polished, there may be inconsistencies, but why should that make it less of an achievement?
If anything, the book is alive. It’s imperfect and therefore very human. It is different and therefore beautiful. It is all the more special knowing that, constrained by his progressing dementia, though having started writing it decades before, Garcia Marquéz could no longer work on developing the plot. It remained unfinished forever.
Despite it all, it’s a wonderful little tribute to a towering legacy that, despite all the criticism toward this imperfect novel, will move you and inspire you.
The text has a gorgeously quiet, ephemeral quality that makes you recognise Gabo’s unmistakeable penchant for emotional veracity instantly.
Yes, the novel was published posthumously against Gabo’s wishes. Yes, as his sons themselves have said, it is a betrayal. Yes, the prose might not be perfectly polished, there may be inconsistencies, but why should that make it less of an achievement?
If anything, the book is alive. It’s imperfect and therefore very human. It is different and therefore beautiful. It is all the more special knowing that, constrained by his progressing dementia, though having started writing it decades before, Garcia Marquéz could no longer work on developing the plot. It remained unfinished forever.
Despite it all, it’s a wonderful little tribute to a towering legacy that, despite all the criticism toward this imperfect novel, will move you and inspire you.
March 17, 2026
4,5 stars. I devoureddddd this. Such a rich and imaginative story that just takes you on a trip. I always love Gabriel Garcia Marquez his writing and scenery descriptions, and this book was beautifully narrated once again. And it's his last book as well! He wrote it while struggling with memory loss already, and didn't want the book to see the light of day, but 10 years after his death his kids published it for the sake of the readers.
The story is told from a female pov, which I'm usually quite critical of when it's written by a man. Though I feel we didn't really get to see depths to Anna Magdalena Bach's (main character) psyche, not by lack of trying by Marquez, I did feel it was written well enough for me to believe I am reading from a woman's pov. The story stretches out over 4 years, and moves at a high pace which I quite liked. Because of this high pace, and time jumps, it's really noticeable how Anna's attitude switches towards her own desires. Beautiful ending as well.
Definitely worth the read, it's quite short so you could finish it in like a day or two.
The story is told from a female pov, which I'm usually quite critical of when it's written by a man. Though I feel we didn't really get to see depths to Anna Magdalena Bach's (main character) psyche, not by lack of trying by Marquez, I did feel it was written well enough for me to believe I am reading from a woman's pov. The story stretches out over 4 years, and moves at a high pace which I quite liked. Because of this high pace, and time jumps, it's really noticeable how Anna's attitude switches towards her own desires. Beautiful ending as well.
Definitely worth the read, it's quite short so you could finish it in like a day or two.
January 19, 2026
Written while Gabriel Garcia Marquez struggled with aging and memory loss. Published by his children after his death.
A woman awakens to a wild and unexplored side of her sexuality as she has an unexpected sexual encounter with a stranger during her yearly pilgrimage to her mother’s grave. For the night she is feral, yet in control- a femme fatale taking ownership of her sexuality. After this chance encounter her August trip to the island becomes the one time each year where she removes the chains of conventionality and seeks a lover. Unleashing for one night this shadow self. Her one night of assignations in August. This impacts her relationship with her husband and family in subtle ways. Then one year she discovers her mother had a lover on the island- likely why she insisted on being buried there. She exhumes the body and returns home for good.
A woman awakens to a wild and unexplored side of her sexuality as she has an unexpected sexual encounter with a stranger during her yearly pilgrimage to her mother’s grave. For the night she is feral, yet in control- a femme fatale taking ownership of her sexuality. After this chance encounter her August trip to the island becomes the one time each year where she removes the chains of conventionality and seeks a lover. Unleashing for one night this shadow self. Her one night of assignations in August. This impacts her relationship with her husband and family in subtle ways. Then one year she discovers her mother had a lover on the island- likely why she insisted on being buried there. She exhumes the body and returns home for good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2026
I went into this book not really knowing what to expect, and maybe that helped. I was pleasantly surprised by how naturally and effortlessly the story flows. It’s a quiet, gentle read, even though the themes themselves are anything but light.
Beneath the simple narrative, Márquez explores love, aging, and that subtle, uncomfortable feeling of being unfulfilled with life — the kind you can’t easily name or fix. There’s something very human and intimate about it. Nothing dramatic happens, yet emotionally it feels surprisingly deep.
It’s not a complex or demanding novel, but it makes you pause and reflect. Soft, melancholic, and thoughtful — the kind of story that stays with you longer than you expect.
Beneath the simple narrative, Márquez explores love, aging, and that subtle, uncomfortable feeling of being unfulfilled with life — the kind you can’t easily name or fix. There’s something very human and intimate about it. Nothing dramatic happens, yet emotionally it feels surprisingly deep.
It’s not a complex or demanding novel, but it makes you pause and reflect. Soft, melancholic, and thoughtful — the kind of story that stays with you longer than you expect.
February 10, 2026
"furious with herself for the misfortune of being a woman in a man's world."
I really enjoyed this — however a short read, it packs a punch. It was instantly immersive and had you instantly hooked to understand the motivations of the character. A sweet yet solemn story about desire, loss, imperfect love, rituals and the power of escape.
My only complaint is that I wish it was longer!! I found Ana to be a ferocious and interesting woman I could read about her for much longer!!
Some highlights —
“The sea was an oasis of gold under the afternoon sun.”
“When a woman leaves there is no human or divine power that can stop her.”
“The world changed with her first sip. She felt mischievous, joyful, capable of anything, and beautified by the sacred mixture of music and gin.”
I really enjoyed this — however a short read, it packs a punch. It was instantly immersive and had you instantly hooked to understand the motivations of the character. A sweet yet solemn story about desire, loss, imperfect love, rituals and the power of escape.
My only complaint is that I wish it was longer!! I found Ana to be a ferocious and interesting woman I could read about her for much longer!!
Some highlights —
“The sea was an oasis of gold under the afternoon sun.”
“When a woman leaves there is no human or divine power that can stop her.”
“The world changed with her first sip. She felt mischievous, joyful, capable of anything, and beautified by the sacred mixture of music and gin.”
January 4, 2026
There’s no denying this was written by a man as I found myself almost giving up two pages in at the mention of Ana’s breasts - but I’m glad I pushed through. Understandably, the book leaves you with many blanks due to its unfinished nature but it is nonetheless an accurate meditation on love, sexuality, freedom, and familial predetermination. This book was gifted to me by my best friend and is actually the first book I’ve read from this author which, looking into things more, I realise is very random. Definitely not a must read but I can see how it could bring comfort in a time of need - I look forward to reading his other works.
April 6, 2026
Kolombiyalı yazar Gabriel Garcia Marquez’in “Until August/ Ağustos’a Kadar” kitabında ana karakter edebiyata meraklı öğretmen Ana Magdalena Bach. Evli ve iki çocuklu. Hem eşi hem çocukları sanatın farklı dalları ile ilgileniyorlar. Her Ağustos’da annesinin kabrini ziyarete giden Ana, adada tek gecelik beraberlikler yaşıyor. Tam 50 yaşına bastığında tek gecelik beraberliklere son verir. Bazen hayatımızdaki güzellikleri fark etmeyip saçma şeyler yapılabilir. Hayatımızdaki güzelliklerin hep farkında olmamız dileğiyle…
October 28, 2025
It's about women Ana Magdalena... her ritual to visit her mother's graveyard every year with a bouquet of Gladioli (Crown lily) followed by another ritual... finding new partner... secret ritual of lost love, desire... you left with why she did that, mystique, how it make sense in the end... lingering several questions... at one point she mentioned - she was furious... how unfortunate of being a woman in man's world
January 4, 2026
started this book as part of my book club, appreciated the story and how it was written, i liked that it looked back over her previous encounters and how her experiences had changed how she was,
i liked the part when she had seen the moustache man and how she kept hoping to see him to show how disrespectful he was to her
kind of hoped it would explain who the man leaving the flowers was
but all over though was an easy read
i liked the part when she had seen the moustache man and how she kept hoping to see him to show how disrespectful he was to her
kind of hoped it would explain who the man leaving the flowers was
but all over though was an easy read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2026
Here we have another story by Gabriel Marquez. This is a story of a married woman who goes to visit her mother’s grave every August. She uses this time to have a one night stand.
Although well written, the story is too short, too quick, it lacked a certain depth. Apparently he was ill whilst writing the book and published after his deal. I feel the book was published more to make money off the authors name rather than the quality of the work itself.
Although well written, the story is too short, too quick, it lacked a certain depth. Apparently he was ill whilst writing the book and published after his deal. I feel the book was published more to make money off the authors name rather than the quality of the work itself.
April 27, 2026
Brilliant, enjoyable and filled with Garcia’s talent and character.
It was interesting to find that the story is written entirely from the perspective of the female protagonist.
I’m so glad it has been published after all. After having read many of his works, I’m grateful as a reader to be given this unique chance to have a glimpse into the work-in-progress process of such a grate author as Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
It was interesting to find that the story is written entirely from the perspective of the female protagonist.
I’m so glad it has been published after all. After having read many of his works, I’m grateful as a reader to be given this unique chance to have a glimpse into the work-in-progress process of such a grate author as Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
December 16, 2025
A very easy and interesting read that has you guessing the intentions of the character and wondering if she even knows herself.
I definitely feel like the short length of the book helped to not make it drag too much, and enjoyed the repetitive theme of the island.
Still a little confused by the ending... but a good one anyway!
I definitely feel like the short length of the book helped to not make it drag too much, and enjoyed the repetitive theme of the island.
Still a little confused by the ending... but a good one anyway!
January 2, 2026
Found this book in a charity shop and read it in one sitting. I enjoyed the fast pace but as it was posthumously published without much preening it comes across as abrupt, undeveloped and lacking a clear message. Enjoyable nevertheless.
January 10, 2026
A true Gabito. Reading it felt like meeting an old friend, who takes you back into the world of wonderful words without time continuum. Not like other posthumous publications, it is a short sweet memory of one of the worlds greatest writers.
January 21, 2026
Shockingly written by a man (albeit that man being the great talent Gabriel Garcia Marquez) Anna Magdalena is so captivating. Really interested by the idea of connecting sexuality and identity to grief and following the cyclical feminine/matriarchal experience.
January 24, 2026
I absolutely loved this book until the last 5 pages. A story of a mature woman finding herself on an island while annually visiting her mother's grave. But at g5he end it takes a turn (as GGM often does) and just lost me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews