Colombia has produced some of the greatest literary minds of our time. Like movies, books offer a window into a country’s culture and history, providing an intimate glimpse into the lives and thoughts of its people across generations. To deepen your understanding of Colombia, here are five essential books that explore the nation’s soul.
Five books from Colombia you should read
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Colombia’s Nobel Prize-winning author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, leads the list of best-selling Colombian books. His works have been published in over 120 countries and translated into more than 55 languages. His acclaimed novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude, is the most widely published and the most translated of all Colombian books.
In the novel, Garcia Marquez tells the captivating story of Macondo, a magical town on the Caribbean Coast where the Buendia family makes their home. Over generations, the family experiences love, tragedy, ambition, and isolation, while the town itself transforms, eventually fading into obscurity.
The book was first published fifty years ago by the editorial house Sudamericana and is regarded as one of the most important works in Spanish literature.
This Colombian best-seller has earned its place on several lists. It was included in El Mundo’s list of the 100 best Spanish-language novels of the 20th century, Le Monde’s list of the 100 best books of the 20th century, and the Norwegian Book Club’s list of the 100 best books of all time. It is estimated that the book has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
Maria by Jorge Isaacs
Maria is one of Colombia’s most celebrated romantic novels. A romantic tale of forbidden love, Maria follows Efraín and María, two young lovers separated by family obligations and unforeseen tragedy. Set in the scenic Valle del Cauca, it captures the heartache of unfulfilled love.
Jorge Isaacs’ work was so influential in Colombia that his image was featured on the old 50,000 Colombian peso bills.
The novel has been translated into 31 languages and is particularly well-loved in Argentina, Chile, and Mexico, where 14 different editions have been issued.
The book has also been adapted into theater, television, and ballet. There have also been 12 film adaptations of the novel, according to the Colombian Film Heritage Foundation.
Delirio by Laura Restrepo
Delirio is a novel by Laura Restrepo, published in 2004. The book tells the sotry of Aguilar, who returns home to find his wife, Agustina, in a state of madness, and tries to uncover what led to her breakdown. The story unfolds through different perspectives, revealing secrets about her family, their past, and the turbulent 1980s in Colombia. The book won the Alfaguara Prize in 2004 and the Grinzane Cavour Prize in 2006.
Restrepo is one of the most celebrated and widely translated Colombian authors. She was the first Colombian to win the Alfaguara Prize. Her notable works include Leopard in the Sun (1993), A Tale of the Dispossessed (2001), and Too Many Heroes (2009). Her books have been translated into 12 languages, reflecting her significant international impact.
Oblivion: A Memoir by Hector Abad Faciolince
This memoir recounts the life and tragic death of Hector Abad Gomez, a beloved doctor and human rights activist. Written by his son, it reflects on their close bond and the brutal violence that marked Colombia during his father’s time. Published in 2005 by Planeta Editorial, 40 different editions of the book have been issued since it was first published by Planeta Editorial in 2005. More than 200,000 copies have been sold in Colombia.
The memoir has also been published in Spain, Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, making it one of the most widely read books in Ibero-America in the 20th century. Faciolince has received several international awards for this work. These included the 2012 Human Rights Literary Prize, issued by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and Duke University in the United States, as well as Portugal’s Casa da America Latina Literary Creation Prize.
Satanas by Mario Mendoza
Written by Colombian author Mario Mendoza, Satanas explores the dark side of Bogota through the real story of Campo Elias Delgado, a Vietnam War veteran who committed a series of murders in the city on December 4, 1986. The story intertwines his descent into madness with the lives of others affected by his actions, including a con artist and a struggling priest.
The book had a profound impact on Colombian and Latin American readers. It has been released in various editions, including a graphic novel. In 2007, Andres Baiz directed a film adaptation inspired by Mendoza’s novel and Delgado’s true story.