Nobel prize winner and author of One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel García Márquez tells a tale of an unrequited love that outlasts all rivals in his masterpiece Love in the Time of Cholera, published as a Penguin Essential for the first time.

Fifty-one years, nine months and four days have passed since Fermina Daza rebuffed hopeless romantic Florentino Ariza''s impassioned advances and married Dr Juvenal Urbino instead. During that half-century, Flornetino has fallen into the arms of many delighted women, but has loved none but Fermina. Having sworn his eternal love to her, he lives for the day when he can court her again.

When Fermina''s husband is killed trying to retrieve his pet parrot from a mango tree, Florentino seizes his chance to declare his enduring love. But can young love find new life in the twilight of their lives?

''The most important writer of fiction in any language'' Bill Clinton

''An exquisite writer, wise, compassionate and extremely funny'' Sunday Telegraph

''An amazing celebration of the many kinds of love between men and women'' The Times