When people think about Colombia, there’s one thing that comes to mind: The memory of the dark, violent past starring Pablo Escobar and drug cartels. Talking to Colombians, it doesn’t take long until they tell you how exhausted they are by this memory, and how they wish people would know more about the country and its beauty, such as its impressive biodiversity, rich artistic and literary tradition, delicious coffee, or even the kindness of its people.
When I set out to write The Waves Take You Home, my first novel, I knew I wanted my book to be set in Barranquilla, where I’m from, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, and for it to record landscapes that were familiar to me, as well as the cadence of the language, the particulars of my Caribbean culture and the rhythm of the days. I wanted others to see what I saw, not only the violence or the superficial beauty, but all the complexity of our culture, its people, and what it means to live in a place that is not often seen.
These eight fiction books provide a rich tapestry of Colombian lives, identities, and the weight of a complicated collective memory that still haunts us today. These books offer a glimpse into the multiple realities, the grittiness, and the beauty of the Colombian experience, which is more complicated and beautiful than we could ever imagine. Immerse yourself in these books that will open a window into an intimate portrait of the lives, struggles, diversity of cultures, and dreams for the future of Colombian people.
Fiebre Tropical by Julián Delgado Lopera
“Buenos días, mi reina.” “Good morning, my queen,” is the first line of Fiebre Tropical by Julián Delgado Lopera, a perfect introduction to this explosive and vibrant novel that narrates the tale of Francisca, a teenage girl who recently immigrated to the United States from Bogotá, Colombia, with her Mamá and Abuela.
Written unapologetically in Spanglish and set in Miami, the novel delves into Francisca’s journey of self-discovery, acceptance, immigration, religion, queerness, and what society expects of her. Lopera’s debut is an undeniably funny, unique, and unforgettable coming-of-age story that explores the difficulties of growing up between two worlds.
Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
When I was growing up in Colombia, my parents didn’t speak much about the early ’90s and how their lives were affected by this period of violence and social unrest. Reading Fruit of the Drunken Tree reveals this tumultuous period of Colombian history told in stunning and honest prose. Ingrid Rojas Contreras captures the conflict in the ’90s in Colombia, seen through the eyes of Chula and Petrona, two girls from different social classes in a profoundly classist country. Chula is a young girl from a moderately privileged family in Bogotá, and Petrona is a teen from a neighborhood affected by the Guerrilla and poverty.
As Petrona starts working at Chula’s house, the two girls’ lives become intertwined. Contreras’ immersive prose expertly weaves a portrait of friendship, class, how violence impacts the lives of ordinary people and who gets to escape. Contreras crafts a book about resilience, history, violence, and the weight of memory.
The Bitch by Pilar Quintana, translated by Lisa Dillman
The Bitch by Pilar Quintana is a heartrending portrait of loneliness and womanhood set in the Pacific Coast of Colombia, a place that, in the author’s own words, is forgotten by the state. Damaris, a mature woman with multiple disappointments in life, adopts a dog and calls it “Chirli,” using the name she would have used for the daughter she never had. This intense and moving relationship tells a story about motherhood, infertility, abuse, and survival.
The Bitch is a challenging, relentless, honest, and gorgeously told story about life’s hardships on Colombia’s Pacific coast.
Oye by Melissa Mogollon
Oye by Melissa Mogollon is a unique coming-of-age story told as a series of phone calls and conversations between Luciana and her older sister, Mari. Coming out in May 2024, this buzzy debut is already causing conversations amongst early readers on the unique style, prompting readers to reflect on their family dynamics and perhaps even call their sister. One of the year’s most anticipated novels by a dazzling new voice, this book is a funny and heartfelt exploration of growing up, resilience, sisterhood, and finding your path.
The Holy Days of Gregorio Pasos by Rodrigo Restrepo Montoya
The novel opens when Gregorio Pasos’ world is turned upside down: his parents are divorcing, his sister is battling addiction, and his uncle is dealing with what is likely the last months of his life. This novel shows the relationship between Gregorio and his family, their past, and the last days with his beloved uncle.
Told with generosity, honesty, tenderness, and hope, Restrepo Montoya crafts a tale of finding one’s path while reconciling with our family memories but being careful not to leave our history behind.
Infinite Country by Patricia Engel
Infinite Country is an urgent novel about the complexities of immigration and how it can upend a family’s destiny. Told in different voices, this slim but powerful novel will stay with you long after you finish it.
The novel follows the Rivera family. At the center of the narrative is Talia, a woman who ends up in a correctional facility due to her attempt to re-enter the United States. As she awaits deportation, she reflects on her family’s story. Told in multiple voices and with beautiful prose, this novel examines the experiences of different family members in Colombia and the United States.
Engel doesn’t shy away from telling the challenges that immigrants face and the resilience that keeps this family together. This novel will have you thinking about immigration policy, borders, and the meaning of family and home.
Salt Crystals by Cristina Bendek, translated by Robin Myers
Cristina Bendek is the first award winner of the Elsa Mújica prize, a novel for women debut novelists in Colombia. This tale, set on the Island of San Andrés, tells the story of Victoria, a woman who returns to the island after living in Mexico for a while.
A picture from her great-great-grandparents and an encounter with an elderly raizal woman set her on a quest to learn more about her origins. What she finds with the help of the community not only connects her to an unknown story about the island but also to a rich history of resistance.
A vibrant, sensory, and honest debut novel, Salt Crystals shines from its gorgeous prose and portrait of an often overlooked place in Colombia.
Fish Soup by Margarita García Robayo, translated by Charlotte Coombe
If I could summarize this short story collection in three words, I’d say subversive, funny, and biting. Fish Soup is a gorgeous collection that tells different realities of strong-willed women in Colombia. “Waiting for a Hurricane” tells the story of a girl wanting to escape her life and country, no matter the cost to herself and those around her. “Sexual Education” explores the journey of students in a Catholic school trying to wrestle with the lessons of abstinence taught at their school. “Worse Things” is a snapshot of the thematic motif of escaping disintegrating families and taboos.
Told with humor and honesty, this book explores false starts, dead ends and the power of desire. An unforgettable short story collection that deserves a place on everyone’s bookshelf!
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