I also consider 'Leaf Storm' to be among the best. It delves into themes of family, memory, and the passage of time. Marquez uses his signature magical realism to create a vivid portrait of a family dealing with the return of a relative and the secrets that come to the surface.
Power and powerlessness are themes as well. There are characters who have power, often in a political or social sense, and those who are powerless against them. This can be seen in stories that touch on the political situations in Latin America. And of course, the theme of death. Death is not always final in his stories but rather a part of the cycle of life, sometimes with a touch of the supernatural.
One main theme is magic and reality. He often blurs the line between the two, like in 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' where a man with wings appears in a very ordinary village setting. Another theme is love and loss. His stories can show the complex emotions related to these, as in some of his stories about relationships in small towns.
One of the main themes is magic realism. For example, in his stories, he often blends the ordinary with the extraordinary. Another theme is love and passion, which are depicted in complex and nuanced ways. Also, the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life are often explored.
There's Florentino Ariza from 'Love in the Time of Cholera'. He is a complex character, his love for Fermina Daza being so deep and long - lasting. In 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings', the old man with wings is quite unforgettable. His presence challenges the villagers' understanding of the world.
One characteristic is the use of magical realism. For example, in 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings', the old man with wings is a magical element in an otherwise ordinary village setting. This blend of the real and the magical makes his stories unique.
Well, 'The Last Voyage of the Ghost Ship' is an interesting short story by Marquez. It has a touch of magic and mystery as it follows the journey of a ship. Also, 'Blacamán the Good, Vendor of Miracles' is a story full of Marquez's typical magical realism elements, with a character who sells miracles.
It's hard to give an exact number. Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote many short stories throughout his career, but the count can vary depending on how you classify them.
You can start by looking at collections like 'Collected Stories' which gather many of his short works. Libraries are a great place to find these collections. Also, online bookstores often have user reviews that can point you towards the most popular and highly regarded ones.