Reading is one of my greatest pleasures. Aside from music, one of the best ways I have been able to better comprehend and understand Colombian culture is through literature. Reading Colombian literature has filled in the gaps of situations I haven’t been quite able to understand.
In this blog, we will explore five books that offer an overview of Colombian history, culture, and people. Each book captures a different aspect of Colombian life, from historical conquests and personal memoirs to the impact of modern events and the exploration of urban scene through various narratives and perspectives.
Santa María del Diablo by Gustavo Arango
Overview:
Santa Maria del Diablo by Gustavo Arango is a gripping historical fiction novel that tells the story of the first Spanish city founded in Tierra Firme. The novel, which won the Best Historical Novel in Spanish by the International Latino Book Awards, vividly reconstructs the Spanish conquest of the New World in an unprecedented way.
Historical Context:
The story unfolds in the early 16th century, nearly two decades after Christopher Columbus’ first voyage to the New World. Two narrators, 500 years apart, recount the establishment of Santa María de la Antigua del Darién, the first Spanish city founded in Tierra Firme. Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo and an anonymous narrator provide a detailed account of the brutal and violent beginnings of Spanish settlements in America, drive by the pursuit of glory, power, and wealth.
Santa María de la Antigua del Darién, located in present-day Colombia in the Department of Chocó, was founded in 1509 by Vasco Nuñez de Balboa. The city was built with high expectations from the Spanish Crown due to its abundance in natural resources and metals. Historial figures such as Francisco Pizarro (conqueror of Perú), Pedrarias Dávila (founder of Panama City), Vasco Nuñez de Balboa (discoverer of the Pacific Ocean), and Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo began their missions here. Tragically, around two million indigenous people were murdered during this time.
Why I Love It:
Gustavo Arango’s story telling is among my favorites from contemporary Latin American authors. Each chapter in Santa Maria del Diablo reads like a short story, often beginning with its end and guiding you through an intriguing loop. His narrative masterfully blends fact and fiction, depicting the confusion and destruction of the native populations, the richness of the natural environment, and the awe Europeans felt towards the New World.
This book is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Latin American history. Among the many stories of the Spanish conquest, this one has been overlooked and not throughly explored, but Gustavo Arango has delivered. It’s dramatic and suspenseful, providing a deep reflection on our identity and heritage.
He visto la noche by Manuel Zapata Olivella
Overview:
Manuel Zapata Olivella is one of Colombia’s most influential writers, known for his contributions to Afro-Colombian literature. His work explores themes of race, identity, and the African diaspora, making him an important figure in understanding Colombia’s culture scene. He visto la noche is a memoir that chronicles Zapata Olivella’s experience and observations during his travels through the United States. His journey begins in Mexico shortly after the atomic bomb detonation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, providing a unique perspective on the intersection of Colombian and United Statesean cultures while reflecting on the complexities of identity and diaspora.
Cultural Context:
In He visto la noche, Zapata Olivella shares his reflections on the diverse society he encountered in the United States. The memoir is a collection of his personal experiences and interactions with people from various walks of life, highlighting cultural and social nuances he observed. Though deeply personal, the narrative serves as a bridge between Colombia and North America.
Why I Love It:
As someone who grew up within the complicated nature of identity politics of the United States, this book serves as a reference for how foreign people of color perceive the unjust, violent, and cruel realities of the country. The memoir begins in Mexico, post-World War II, where Zapata Olivella attempts to document the atomic bomb tests in the Bikini Atoll as a representative of a Mexican magazine. His journey takes him through the Midwest, Northeast and Jim Crow South of the United States.
He shares his reflections on the assimilation process of immigrants, his encounter with Langston Hughes, financial difficulties, and the prejudice that people of color experienced in the 1950s. He visto la noche is an important read for anyone interested in understanding the broader context of Afro-Colombian identity within the United States.
El árbol de guayacán by Dany Hoyos
Overview:
El árbol de guayacán by Dany Alejandro Hoyos, known for his character Suso El Past, is an emotional fictional narrative that intertwines the loss of his grandfather from COVID-19 with a broader social catharsis. The book recounts his family’s loss within the social context of the pandemic in Colombia, connected by memories in Ituango, a town in Antioquia that was affected the conflict in the country. The book is authored by a comedian that creates a universe of laughter and tenderness to his his own wounds.
Social Context:
El árbol de guayacán offers a profound depiction of how a traditional family navigated the pandemic in Colombia. The story captures the stubbornness of older family members amidst the contingency, the melancholy of a Christmas spent in Medellín during the crisis, and the struggles of a comedian whose job is to bring laughter amidst such a challenging time. It also reveals the deficiencies of the country’s medical system and sheds light on collective suffering.
The book also delves into the effects of Colombia’s armed conflict. This conflict, deeply rooted in Colombian history, has persisted for over 60 years, predating the surge of illicit drug trade. Despite the connection between the two issues, the armed conflict remains a distinct and long-standing national crisis.
Why I Love It:
The best part about El árbol de guayacán by Dany Hoyos is his ability to capture universal experiences. One of my favorite stories is his visit to his grandfather in Ituango, where he feels out of place as a city kid but longs to belong. This mirrors my own experiences visiting Colombia when I was a child. Hoyos illustrates that the sense of being an outsider transcends borders and is a common human experience.
This book is an honest portrayal of the complex emotions we all face but often shy away from discussing. Hoyos confronts feelings of envy, anger, helplessness, desperation, and solitude in a genuine account o the human condition. His ability to shed light on these emotions offers his readers a comforting sense of shared vulnerability.
La Cuadra by Gilmer Mesa
Overview:
La cuadra written by Gilmer Mesa, is a gripping novel set int eh tumultuous 1990s in Medellín. The story is a vivid portrayal of a neighborhood caught in the crossfire of violence and upheaval during one of the city’s most notorious period.
The novel takes place in La Cuadra, a fictional neighborhood that mirrors the reality of many communities in Medellín during the height of the drug wars and social unrest. Mesa, drawing from his own experiences growing up in Medellín, provides an authentic and immersive depiction of life in this era.
Social Context:
We all know about the 1980s and 1990s in Medellín.
Why I Love It:
I usually avoid discussing this dark chapter in Colombian history because of the deep mark it has left on our society. It’s an experience that’s hard to fully grasp unless you lived through it, were close to those who did, or have traveled with a Colombian passport. Also, this period has been extensively covered, with Hollywood continuing to capitalize on its grim and distressing narrative.
However, La Cuadra stands out because it touches on aspects that movies and documentaries often overlook—the social and cultural impact of the era. The book was written by someone who lives this on a first hand account, and although fictional the novel is able to accurately transmit the message on how violence created an atmosphere of fear and distrust among residents, straining social cohesion and severely impacting community life. This perspective provides valuable insight into the present-day paisa community.
Th book also highlights the role of women during this time, exploring how violence and misogyny intersected in this period of time. This examination of the female experience adds depth and understanding to a story told over and over again.
Las cosas que ya no están by Tatee
Overview:
Las cosas que ya no están by Tatee is a graphic novel that follows a reader as she commutes through Bogotá at the end of the day. The city’s attributes, along with the margin notes in a book by Hebe Uhart that she carries, evoke memories of a past love. The story explores themes of absence, its tangible forms, and nostalgia. It is also a reflection on the solitary journey of grief and coming to terms with the feelings brought about by things that are no longer present.
This book won the 2022 Beca para la Publicación de Libro Ilustrado: Álbum, Cómic o Novela Gráfica from the Ministerio de Cultura, Colombia.
Social Context:
The graphic novel Las cosas que ya no están by Tatee is set against the backdrop of Bogotá, a city known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and hustle. However, as many have experienced in large urban centers, this hustle comes with a sense of solitude. The book also addresses the important yet often overlooked topic of mental health in Colombia.
Why I Love It:
I came across Las cosas que ya no están during a reading slump. It was a time when I didn’t know what to read, and while scrolling through social media, I found this recommendation. Graphic novels are great for those in my situation and for anyone who struggles with traditional texts.
In this book, the illustrations sometimes speak louder than words. Tatee’s use of color delivers an immediate and powerful emotional impact, bringing Bogotá to life.
Her storytelling, combined with the depiction of Bogotá, captures the city’s essence while conveying a powerful message. It’s a compelling and accessible read for a wide audience, especially those who wish to immerse themselves in Colombian culture but may lack the language skills.
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