Fifty-oane 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 Florentino has fallen into the arms of many delighted women but has loved none but Fermina. Having sworn his eternal love none but 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 in the twilight of their Lives?

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