Title: Oblivion: A Memoir
Author: Héctor Abad Faciolince
First published December 1, 2006
272 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780374533939 (ISBN10: 0374533938)
Rating: 4.39
Overview
“An intensely poignant tribute to the courage and sacrifice of one man in the fight for justice and freedom in Latin America.” — El País. Héctor Abad Faciolince’s Oblivion is a masterfully crafted memoir that pays homage to his father, Héctor Abad Gómez, a brave advocate for democracy whose outspokenness against the Colombian regime cost him his life at the hands of paramilitaries in 1987.
Over two decades in the making, this book is a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of a man who dared to speak truth to power during one of the darkest eras of Latin America’s history.
About the Author
On October 1, 1958, Héctor Joaquín Abad Faciolince came into the world in Medellín, Colombia. He is a novelist, essayist, journalist, and editor, and his writing has earned him a reputation as one of the most gifted writers of the “post-boom” era in Latin American literature.
Abad’s two most popular novels are Angosta and El Olvido que Seremos, which was published more recently.
Editoral Review
Oblivion: A Memoir by Héctor Abad Faciolince recounts the story of the author’s life in Medellín, Colombia, amidst the violent and politically tumultuous backdrop of the 1980s and 90s. This memoir is an intensely personal, gut-wrenching depiction of loss and grief, as well as a scathing critique of the Colombian government and society’s failures.
Faciolince is a well-known Colombian author and journalist, and his memoir was originally published in Spanish in 2006. The English translation, released in 2012, was awarded the 2012 Independent Foreign Fiction Prize.
The memoir falls squarely into the genre of creative non-fiction, but it read like a novel, thanks to Faciolince’s skillful use of imagery, symbolism, and narrative structure. Faciolince begins his story by introducing readers to his idyllic childhood, marked by strong familial bonds, intellectual curiosity, and a love for literature.
He then moves on to the darker aspects of his life, describing in vivid detail the tragedies that befell his family, including the brutal murder of his father, a prominent medical professional and human rights advocate. In this memoir, the author grapples with his own grief and survivor’s guilt while exposing the systemic violence and corruption that plagued Colombian society.
One of the memoir’s strengths is its richly drawn characters, ranging from the larger-than-life personalities of the author’s family members to the anonymous victims of Medellín’s violence. Faciolince’s depictions are both sensitive and honest, even when they reveal unsavory aspects of the characters’ personalities.
The author’s prose is also a standout feature, demonstrating his ability to wield language with elegance and clarity. The pacing of Oblivion is measured, with the author alternating between scenes of joy and trauma to create a nuanced portrait of life in Medellín.
In terms of critiques, some readers may find the memoir’s political critiques to be heavy-handed or simplistic, as the author’s anger towards the Colombian government and ruling class is palpable. Additionally, while the author employs some storytelling techniques to convey his subjective experience, there are moments where the reader feels as though they are being admonished for a lack of familiarity with Colombian history and politics.
Despite these limitations, Oblivion is a powerful and moving memoir that has much to offer readers interested in personal narratives, Colombian history, or political activism. The memoir’s themes of loss, resilience, and social justice are timely and relevant, with parallels to current events in Colombia and beyond.
Overall, this memoir is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the complexity of life in Colombia during the 20th century and the ongoing fight for human rights. The Washington Post gives Oblivion: A Memoir four out of five stars.
