This short story also has a story. It is said that a few days before the book was printed and offered to the public, a manuscript of the book was stolen and printed and was being sold illegally. The publishers had to make efforts to publish the book faster for this reason.
The short story brings up a theme that we often find in Dostoevsky’s novels, namely the theme of relationships between much older men and very young women, most often underage teenagers.
The protagonist is a bachelor, a columnist for a newspaper, who all his life went to prostitutes for sex. Although sometimes some women did it with them for pleasure, he insisted on paying them.
So he has frequented the brothels of his hometown all his life. In the short story he is surprised at the age of 90 when he wants to have one last pleasure. And our protagonist comes across a 13-year-old girl, offered by a brothel owner. He pays only to spend the nights with her, seeing her naked and caressing her, without having sex with her. He admits that this is the first time he is in love, and he did not believe that at the age of 90 he could fall in love.
There are several incidents in the book that show the protagonist’s behavior typical of those in love. The book is a masterpiece, typical of Gabriel García Márquez, and with notes of magical realism. I read it breathlessly, once I started the book I didn’t put it down until I reached the end. I recommend it!