Books from Colombia

Seven generations of the Buendía family live and unravel in Macondo, the town their patriarch founds in an unmapped stretch of swamp and jungle. García Márquez's 1967 novel reports ghosts, plagues of insomnia and impossible longevity in the same level voice it gives to civil war, a foreign banana company and the slow decay of a family that keeps reusing its own names — the founding work of magical realism.

• family saga
• forbidden love
• multiple povs

Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fall in love as youths, but Fermina ultimately marries a wealthy doctor. Devastated, Florentino spends the next fifty years pursuing countless affairs while secretly reserving his heart for her. When Fermina's husband finally dies, Florentino sees his chance to declare his enduring love once more. This is a sweeping story of devotion, patience, and the many forms love can take over a lifetime.

• slow burn
• second chance
• family saga

Discover the extraordinary life of Pablo Escobar, as told by his own son. This biography pulls back the curtain on the man who became one of the world's most infamous drug lords, detailing his ascent to power, his personal entanglements, and the profound impact of his criminal empire. It's the story of a figure who wielded immense wealth and terror, forever altering Colombia and the global landscape.

• morally grey
• anti hero
• betrayal

Claudia lives with her parents in an apartment filled with encroaching plants, mirroring the growing crisis within her family. As a child, Claudia observes the events that create irreparable cracks, leading to profound fears. This story follows Claudia as she navigates her mother's revelations and her father's silences, beginning to forge her own understanding of the world.

• coming of age
• family saga

This novel offers a precise dissection of Colombian society and its flaws, placing the human psyche and its contradictions under a microscope to reveal its naked truth. It is a story of madness, violence, and drugs, but also of love and loyalty. The fictional plot blends with the real presence of figures from Colombia's turbulent history of crime and politics.

• family saga

La adaptación a novela gráfica de una de las obras en español más conmovedoras de los últimos tiempos. Un inolvidable homenaje de un hijo a su padre. El olvido que seremos, de Héctor Abad Faciolince, extraordinario canto al amor filial y clásico contemporáneo de la literatura en español, emprende un nuevo vuelo con esta adaptación al formato de novela gráfica a cargo del dibujante catalán Tyto Alba, cuyos excepcionales dibujos y acuarelas dan vida a unos personajes y una historia inolvidables, dotándolos de nuevos matices y significados, y añadiendo al libro una dimensión plástica que, respetando su esencia, lo transforma en una obra artística independiente. La crítica ha dicho... «La más apasionante experiencia de lector de mis últimos años». Mario Vargas Llosa «Héctor Abad ha escrito una historia trágica e inolvidable». J.M. Coetzee «Una historia enorme [...] una declaración de amor de un hijo a un padre que me ayudó a enfrentarme a lo que se me venía encima». Antonio de la Torre « El olvido que seremos es más que bueno, es un compromiso con la literatura y con el padre. La memoria es aquí maravillosa, brutal, acogedora y brillante.» Máximo Huerta « El olvido que seremos de Héctor Abad Faciolince es un libro "padre", como dirían en México -que es así como la lengua popular define todo aquello más que bueno-, por su calidad narrativa y sobre todo porque el protagonista de la historia es el doctor Héctor Abad, un progenitor diferente: "Cristiano en religión, marxista en economía y liberal en política». Esther Andrai, Letras Libres

In Colombia's rugged Pacific coast, Damaris, a childless woman, lives with her fisherman husband. Eager for companionship, she adopts an orphaned puppy, an act that brings unexpected depth and challenges into her life. This story explores the many meanings of motherhood and love, set against a backdrop where beauty and dread coexist.

Experience a timeless Colombian romance between Efraín and María, whose deep affection faces the harsh realities of societal pressures and personal loss. Their tender love story unfolds amidst a beautiful yet demanding landscape, exploring the difficult choices made when faced with overwhelming challenges.

• forbidden love
• sacrifice

This collection of short stories, penned by a group of acclaimed Colombian authors, delves into the complexities of human relationships and the unexpected turns life can take. Each narrative offers a unique perspective on themes of trust, deception, and the hidden motives that drive individuals. Prepare for a journey through diverse voices and compelling plots that will keep you guessing.

• betrayal

Klaus and Adler, brothers with little in common beyond their Berlin childhood, a shared connection to water, and their love for the same woman, Cora, find their paths diverging. Years later, Klaus, now living in the remote desert region of La Guajira called Criacuervo, invites Adler and Cora to reconcile their troubled past. This story follows their broken destinies and their desperate attempt to find meaning in the life they did not choose.

• family saga
• second chance

This collection presents the complete works of Jorge Isaacs, a foundational author in Latin American literature. It likely features his seminal novel, 'María,' a poignant tale of love, loss, and social commentary set against the backdrop of 19th-century Colombia. Readers will find a rich exploration of human emotion and societal norms within these pages.

• forbidden love

Juan Pablo Escobar, son of the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, shares his personal account of growing up in the shadow of his father's criminal empire. This memoir offers a unique perspective on the man behind the myth, revealing intimate details of family life and the profound impact of his father's choices. It explores the complex legacy he inherited and his journey to reconcile with a past marked by violence and notoriety.

• family saga
• coming of age

This memoir chronicles the tumultuous life of Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas, from his impoverished childhood to his struggles as a gay writer under Fidel Castro's regime. It details his artistic awakening, his persecution, and his eventual escape from Cuba. The narrative offers a raw and unflinching look at a life lived in defiance, marked by both profound suffering and an unyielding spirit.

• coming of age
• survival