15 Essential Colombian Novels You Should Read

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Juan Cardenas and Margarita García Robayo, 18 Books

Recommendations from Juan Cardenas and Margarita García Robayo, on the Eve of Hay Festival Cartagenards, which ran from 1976 to 1995, and the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards, which ran from 1968 to 1995 (known as the Montana Book Awards from 1994 to 1995).

Ahead of the 15th edition this weekend, two of Colombia’s contemporary literary stars—Juan Cardenas and Margarita García Robayo—share 15 essential Colombian novels to enjoy.

This list was originally published in 2020 and was added to this site over 2 years ago.

View: List Grid Table
Rank Book Authors Year Country Language Actions
11607 Las Estrellas Son Negras Arnoldo Palacios 1949 Colombian Spanish
9741 The Armies Evelio Rosero 2007 Colombian Spanish
6241 The Vortex José Eustacio Rivera 1924 Colombian Spanish
13663 Lo Que No Tiene Nombre Piedad Bonnett 2013 Colombian Spanish
12419 Changó, The Biggest Badass Manuel Zapata Olivella 1983 Colombian Spanish
5 One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel García Márquez 1967 Colombian Spanish
14042 Los Días Azules Fernando Vallejo 2020 Colombian Spanish
11212 December Breeze Marvel Moreno 1987 Colombian Spanish
11607 Catalina Elisa Mujica 1952 Colombian Spanish
12419 In The Beginning Was The Sea Tomás González 1983 Colombian Spanish
14465 The Children Carolina Sanin 2016 Colombian Spanish
14511 Primera Persona Margarita García Robayo 2017 Colombian Spanish
13302 Un Beso De Dick Fernando Molano 1992 Colombian Spanish
14561 Somos Luces Abismales Carolina Sanin 2018 Colombian Spanish
14511 The Bitch Pilar Quintana 2017 Colombian Spanish
14594 An Orphan World Giuseppe Caputo 2019 Colombian Spanish
14333 Los Estratos Juan Cárdenas 2013 Colombian Spanish
14137 Duermevela Melba Escobar 2010 Colombian Unknown