lvaro went back to his house. Camila: Good morning. And its like, oh, no, David: And when she tells me, they stole lvaros One Hundred Years of Solitude. There are some details that certainly, for now. What is really important and what I take away from all this extends beyond the book. Just then the squad car arrived to pick up lvaro. Are you crazy?! Someone who steals millions and millions of dollars gets eight years in prison and someone who steals a book by Gabo gets 20. When I went out to eat breakfast, I also went by the bookstore. lvaro: And I said to myself crap, what am I going to do? We have a lot of contact with a number of merchants, lets call them, the good and the bad ones. He decided to go to Macondo. And in Montevideo I really like to walk down a street called Calle Tristn Narvaja, which is a street that is full of secondhand bookstores. Well, I tried everything to find out where Palomino got that 40 thousand dollar figure, but I didnt get an answer. He held a press conference just to talk about the incident. Lupa is our new app for Spanish learners who want to study with Radio Ambulantes stories. The prosperous town of Silverton is being held to ransom by Zanbar Bone and his bloodthirsty Moon Dogs. And I added a note to the book which I wrote on the first page. So, of course, for lvaro, if the news came from La Lucirnaga it had to be a joke. So I went to the SIJN offices. While Edgar was searching people, Luca knew that she had to call someone, but she thought: Luca: I cant tell lvaro myself. They looked like something out of the last century: there were two panes of glass one was sliding and they were held shut by a little lock, a keyhole with a saw-toothed shaped plate. David: There was a very diligent group of police. I mean what am I going to do? But at the time no one thought it was a shoddy lock. Camila: And Im Camila Segura. Listen: Supervisor: So, if you want to buy a book and you know that on the intersection of streets 10 and 13 youll get your socks stolen with your shoes still on, well youre going to turn around, do you understand? Nabo: the Black Man Who Made the Angels Wait, Someone Has Been Disarranging These Roses, The Incredible and Sad Tale of Innocent Erendira and Her Heartless Grandmother, No One Writes to the Colonel and Other Stories. The shopkeeper pointed out where it was. In his Nobel lecture in Stockholm, he declared: "This, my friends, is the very scale of our solitude . For all of his accolades and awards, Garcia Marquez never got too comfortable in his success. It was an expression like I dont understand whats happening.. I also asked lvaro what he knew about that. It was the second time I cried. So, of course, the first thing the supervisor does is call the chief of police to tell him that he has this information, and his chief tell his own boss to tell him. So he started to call them on the radio. And well, the fair ended on Monday and.. Everything was going back to normal. When we check the box, the first thing we do is see whats inside. But what caught my attention was that there were slightly different versions of where the book had been found. Though promising enough, all his previous works can be seen as but preliminary exercises to this masterpiece. And that year the fair had a record number of visitors. One day, before the start of the fair, when they were setting up the bookstore, lvaro came with his books and arranged them himself. According to the supervisor, they didnt catch them. Garca Mrquez had now written four books of literary merit: the novels Leaf Storm (1955) and The Evil Hour (1961); a novella entitled No One Writes to the Colonel (1961); and a short story collection, Big Mama's Funeral (1962). He said that they had found the book in a box in the neighborhood La Perseverancia, in downtown Bogot. They live in a small rented room near the center of town. And well, now I have to introduce you to two more people. I really didnt want to call lvaro. What can be done? Some of them told me that they had already said what they could about the issue. When he had finished the novel, his wife informed him that they owed twelve thousand dollars. Now, however, he corrects line by line as he works. Camila: Exactly. Garca Mrquez says that he again began writing, "straight off without a break, and afterwards made a great many corrections on the manuscript, made copies, and corrected it again." They hadnt filed a complaint. 08:37 Supervisor: So I spend a lot of time with them because sometimes theyre victims of the gangs that operate downtown too. She told him that she was going to write the story herself and send it to eltiempo.com. And David Roa was the one who asked lvaro to loan him all of those books. Camila: I also asked lvaro what he knew about that. We are back with Radio Ambulante. Camila: Well, it may be a stretch to say everyone, but certainly Im not exaggerating when I say that Gabo is one of Colombias cultural heroes. Interviews with cultural icons like Rita Moreno and Carlos Santana as well as contemporary vanguards like Calle 13 or author Junot Diaz. I dont know what kind of expression I had because I couldnt see it, but I know it didnt look like I was angry. Under regular security procedure, they shouldve informed the police. Then they told him he had to go to a press conference. It seems like there was some kind of agreement to turn over the book, and thats that. Camila: Edgar was at the other end of the store and he rushed to where Luca was. They put a type of caution tape in front of the display cases, like at a crime scene, and the order was not to move until lvaro arrived. Before we go back to our story I want to tell you about another NPR podcast, one about music, called Alt.Latino. Edgar thought that not much time had passed between when they had been robbed and when they noticed. Yes, those. That Monday was the last day of the fair. The crime that Damaso commits is blamed on what is referred to as the "blackman". Everyones spirits were as low as they could be. And Im Camila Segura. And I dont want to tell him, but I have to. Neither floods nor plagues, nor famines nor cataclysms, nor even the eternal wars of century upon century have been able to subdue the persistent advantage of life over death. Camila: Everyones spirits were as low as they could be. Then I opened it to the page with the inscription and said, yes, this is my book, and I started to cry. It was wrong. Camila: The weekend went by and lvaro was still getting calls for interviews. Daniel: Or rather, they dont close But they get filed away? and any corresponding bookmarks? "The first line almost knocked me off the bed," Garcia Marquez said in a 1981 interview with The Paris Review. Supervisor: We have a lot of contact with a number of merchants, lets call them, the good and the bad ones. 82. David: Well, I was totally happy And scared. No, she felt it was more important to stick to the agreement they had made with lvaro. Luca: Something weird is going on, he said. And it lasted for about half an hour until. I made calls almost every week. Camila: But on the other hand, he was certain he didnt want lvaro to find out from someone else. The rest of the Radio Ambulante team includes Luis Trelles, Fe Martnez, Elsa Liliana Ulloa, Barbara Sawhill, and Caro Rolando. The worst. The first time I tried was in June 2015. 20 years in prison for someone who stole a book by Gabo and eight for someone who committed crimes against humanity. Daniel: What does that mean? lvaro: He said, I cant believe it. Not at all. A coven in Bogot. Its called NPR One and it offers the best from public radio and beyond. Daniel: And at this point what is David doing? Acesta este unul dintre putinele filme Fox care continua produsul sub proprietatea Disney. I ran to the door and told the security guards that from that moment on no one could leave without being searched. But they didnt, When David found out that the story was already all over the media, he got fair security on the phone, a retired colonel. The DIJIN and the SIJIN is very confusing even for us. Fuentes was so impressed that he wrote to a Mexican magazine: "I have just finished reading the first seventy-five pages of Cien Aos de Soledad. In this context it means something like ridiculous. Our interns are Emiliano Rodrguez, Andrs Azpiri and Luis Fernando Vargas. At 8 a.m., his 11-year-old son interrupts Aurelio's work to tell him that the mayor is there and wants his tooth pulled. The books had cards with bibliographic information. The music is by Luis Maurette. in spite of this, to oppression, plundering and abandonment, we respond with life. And of course, the business owners dont want their clients to get robbed. That was the version I heard, the version that was in the press. Camila: Yes, very weird. Even after dozens of conversations with the lieutenant, even though I carried with me a signed authorization, at one point I came to think that I was going to leave that place without an interview. They asked the police in that sector for help. They looked like something out of the last century: there were two panes of glass one was sliding and they were held shut by a little lock, a keyhole with a saw-toothed shaped plate. Instead I said, yes, of course.. He later told an Argentinean writer that he could have dictated an entire chapter on the spot if he had had a tape recorder. And that proves to us that Colombians, like Garca Mrquez says, are capable of the worst as well as the best. It was around eight at night by the time he went to Macondo to get his books. confidential And what about the price? I was almost expecting him to start cursing and shouting and get violent. The original title of the novel had been Este Pueblo de Mrida (The Town of Dung). I said, this is really funny. Daniel: But the chief of police gave a different figure. They took all of the books out of the display case and started packing them up. So they started to cause a kind of traffic jam. No one wanted to give a statement. Camila: La Lucirnaga is a radio show where they talk about national news. He didnt give a lot of details about how the operation went. A large part of his Garca Mrquez collection which he had spent years compiling. So a senator is robbed, a minister is robbed, someone steals I dont know, the cellphone of a private secretary at the ministry. It was the second time I cried. And when he got to the stand. I told him, I dont want to talk right now and I hung up. Daniel: But its really hard to search that many people, isnt it? Edgar: I got there to see what was going on. As soon as he got off the phone with the police, he called David. "The Handsomest Drowned Man In The World," one of his earlier works, sees Garcia Marquez juxtaposing the ordinary and the fantastical. We went to a car and parked in a parking lot in the basement. Like shame, disbelief, alarm, fear. It seems like there was some kind of agreement to turn over the book, and thats that. He said that the National Police were investigating the case and that he had to make it clear that not only were the individuals who stole the book responsible, but also anyone who bought it. Supervisor: A relevant case is when a person is robbed and that person has some important societal status. He brought a satchel to carry the books, since he thought if he left with the box people would say he was the thief. And on top of that the Telfono Rosa comes out once a week. How could we do it? Were only first editions by Garca Mrquez, which made a kind of general timeline starting with his first published book to his last. Gracias, Gabo. We went up to the directors office and he showed me the eight boxes of first editions, the other books, magazines and newspaper clippings he was going to donate. Everything was very strange. George C. (George Charles) Husmann. Start studying There Are No Thieves in THIS Town, No One Writes to the Colonel Set 3, pp. David Roa: I picked up the phone and called lvaro. It may be from here, but I dont really care.. Camila: There were women who said Im no thief! And what it meant for the whole country. what happened?. And on top of that the Telfono Rosa comes out once a week. Camila: Sort of. lvaro still didnt tell anyone anything. He had sold the rest, but the one at the fair was special because it had been signed by Gabo. A thief entered Macondo and cast a dark shadow over the most successful of all of the Bogot Book Fairs. Not at all. And as soon as I got there Luca told me weve been robbed. Corral was a thirty-second shootout between lawmen led by Virgil Earp and members of a loosely organized group of outlaws called the Cowboys that occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 1881, in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, United States.It is generally regarded as the most famous shootout in the history of the American Old West. They hired two security guards who were only tasked with watching the bookstore, and on top of that, they agreed that one person on their staff would be at the cases at all times. He went home and told his wife: "Don't bother me, especially don't bother me about money." But well, moving past the technicalities, when lvaro arrived at the stand he was really impressed to see all of these people, including criminologists who were dusting for fingerprints. Reading that little novel an exercise in the seemingly endless possibilities of fiction proved to be a transformative experience for both of us. He said, I cant believe it. Camila: But finally the major told me sure, I could interview the officer that had taken me to his office because he was the one who conducted the whole operation. Then the guy abandoned the book and they retrieved it at a store. And finally, the vendor. It was a first edition, and worse still, one that Garca Mrquez signed for lvaro. Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis; The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions . story of the day in all of the newspapers, broadcasts and news bulletins. Not much. The worst. And she asked why?. Also, lvaro was the only person with the keys to the cases. But basically what you need to understand is that SIJIN is local and is dependent on the DIJIN, which is national. I dont know what kind of expression I had because I couldnt see it, but I know it didnt look like I was angry. The people have compassion for him and do everything they can to offer dignity to the dead. Yes, up to 20 years. And they decided to act. Its hosted by Felix Contreras, and Felix. But before he left he asked to use their restroom. Completely empty. That was the version I heard, the version that was in the press. But Luca remembered that the agreement was that only lvaro could handle the books. The worst. Damaso gets whats coming to him in the end. He brought a satchel to carry the books, since he thought if he left with the box people would say he was the thief. Edgar: And I would tell them A first edition of One Hundred Years of Solitude is missing.. May I speak with the press department of the police, please? by Jonathan Rosenbaum October 26, 1985. David: I mean, at that point I was much more worried and I really wanted to go figure out what had happened with the police because I was really worried that this was going to turn into a big story in the media and we hadnt even filed a report. You won't find any mention of levitation or flying carpets or crocodile children. Almost impossible. It will only close the moment someone is captured. A first edition copy of. The last few sentences are more than telling. My guide introduced me to another officer but neither of them knew why I was there. is your guide into the world of Latino arts and culture. David: If Luca is calling me, its because its important. So much so that he didnt even ask Luca for many details. . For instance, people started coming up with really crazy and sometimes very disrespectful theories. Which is to say, it would be nice if all of the cases the police handled where recommended cases and they were just as efficient when they deal with the robbery of an average, ordinary citizen. Taking out the cards, like they were shit to me, and leaving them on the desk. lvaro: They were asking me, Where did you get the book, how much did it cost, how did Garca Mrquez inscribe it for you, why did he inscribe it for you, where were you, who had the keys? And I said, Me, I was the only one who had them. How do you know you are the only one? Because they told me I was the only one.. David: I said, lvaro, youre not going to believe it but I think Im happier than you are.. And she asked why?. Camila: Some news outlets, for example, said that they had found it inside of a house and others said it was at a street stand. Daniel: Camila Segura is the senior editor at Radio Ambulante. I was laughing at that point. And well I I was already freaking out. We know they were going to sell it for more than 120 million pesos. One of his stories, "There are No Thieves in This Town," was filmed by an experimental group for presentation at the 1965 Locarno Film Festival. The Theme of Solitude. At some point various men from security arrived along with the manager of the pavilion. And on top of that, the bookstore was going to be at the exit of the Macondo Pavilion, which was clearly the most important one at the fair. What he did say was that the book had been prepared to be sold when it was discovered. How may I help you? I hope you find the book. And I started to cry. But at one point David decided to stop giving interviews. Listen to music by There Are No Thieves In This Town on Apple Music. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "No One Writes To The Colonel" by Gabriel Garca Mrquez. Daniel: Ive never heard anyone talk that fast in my whole life. The major calls the press chief and tells her the whole story. And lvaros book was on display along with others from his private collection, in an exhibit inside a bookstore that David was running. Upon being served a "filet mignon with a peach and syrup on top of it" in New Orleans, he fled to Mexico City without further delay. Camila: Ill explain: El Tiempo is one of the most important newspapers in the country and Telfono Rosa is a news section or rather, a gossip section about celebrities in Colombia that comes out once a week, every Sunday. And it was the first time the ACLI was in charge of the bookstore at the fair. And I saw on Facebook someone posted, Hooray! Were very, Theres a superhero in Argentina. Why would the theft of a single book mean so much to a country like Colombia? Thats the bad part. The ones that have a restricted lane. I asked the supervisor if that meant they werent looking for the culprits anymore. No, of course not. A large part of his Garca Mrquez collection which he had spent years compiling. But not just any copy. This is the vice-attorney general at the time, Juan Vicente Valbuena. Almost impossible. How can that be? Camila: That youre not going to go where they steal your socks with your shoes still on. Yes. And I turned around and saw that the book was missing. Pages. Camila: Yes, those. Columbia University awards him an honorary doctoral degree. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. We have accomplished something very important, very important. The books on display. 64. Daniel: And what about that figure, that they were going to sell it for 120 million or something like that? Happy and absolutely incredulous. Thanks for listening. Police: National Police line, good morning. Well, as far as I know, the only book by Garca Mrquez that was stolen was that one. What the loss of this book meant to the country. Camila: When they left the interrogation it was practically nighttime. Good morning. I, well, I turned one. Those were tears of joy. I went out right away, I stood in front of the display case and shouted Edgar!. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. So he thought that maybe if they searched people they could find it. Garcia Marquez has left us but, thankfully, his work remains. Thank you for listening to Radio Ambulante. Supervisor: I mean, a lot of years are going to go by but the case isnt going to close. Of course, everyone understands how valuable that book is. Camila: Well, I tried everything to find out where Palomino got that 40 thousand dollar figure, but I didnt get an answer. And I said, I dont know. So he said, Do you want me to give you the email of Telfono Rosa at. The worst possible. It was like the worst thing that could happen to me three days before the end of the fair. And Ill explain: Edgar and Luca had told the fair security about the robbery. "It was a very bad time for me," he has confessed, "a suffocating time. Camila: And that General Palomino wanted to deliver it to him in person. It was rush hour on a Friday and the traffic was really backed up. Daniel: In other words, she didnt follow Davids instructions? And they came with four or five motorcycles. So they started to cause a kind of traffic jam. I said, the worst thing for Luca has to be the worst of the worst of the worst., And David says, what? 07:25 Writer: There Are No Thieves In This Town. In 1961, The Evil Hour (La Mala Hora), which had been completed in Mexico but initially published in Spain, had been published, but only after he had won a Colombian literary prize. Collection efficiency is aggravated by poor route planning, narrow road . Im an investigator with SIJINs anti-theft group. And many of his short stories and novellas those brief yet dynamic interludes should be approached with the same reverence as his longer, major works. Camila: Then they told him he had to go to a press conference. He was at en event at his bookstore when he found out the news was everywhere. Daniel: And how many people did they search? Daniel: Of course, at that moment they arent going to stop any petty thief whos shoplifting new books. Lupa is our new app for Spanish learners who want to study with Radio Ambulantes stories. What are you trying to find?. But I think many of us were left with a lot of questions. Supervisor: Yes, it is a provisional file. David wasnt just in charge of that bookstore, he was also the president of the Association of Independent Booksellers, the ACLI [by its initials in Spanish]. And when David told him that, lvaro. They were like CSI or something. Today it is in the collections section, along with the other more valuable books in the National Library. Also, lvaro was the only person with the keys to the cases. No one did. He went out to walk and he didnt say anything to anyone for some time. Supervisor: Ah, yes. We investigate all kinds of crimes dealing with kidnapping and theft in all its forms. lvaro: And in Montevideo I really like to walk down a street called Calle Tristn Narvaja, which is a street that is full of secondhand bookstores. Daniel: In other words, pay for the book. We went to a car and parked in a parking lot in the basement. When I saw the hole, it took less than a second to look over the books and realize it was that book: it was. We are back with Radio Ambulante. You won't find any mention of levitation or flying carpets or crocodile children. This book belongs to my country and Im going to donate it to the Colombian National Library because from the moment that most Colombians showed their scorn for this act, it became part of everyones heritage. But Luca remembered that the agreement was that only lvaro could handle the books. In 1982, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature.