replaying brilliant corners by thelonious monk when reading the last 100 pages of this is the way to go.
i purposefully didn't keep a family tree in hand while reading this book, and i think it added positively to the experience. i feel as if you're meant to confuse the aurelianos and josés. how time is cyclical and memories are easily vanished. 
the last few pages were frenetic and captivating. i do feel as if some parts of the narrative dragged. most of the subject matter is pretty disturbing.
i also think reading this in spanish was incredible. the language used…