An analysis of contemporary Colombian literature

Abstract

Through the many possibilities available to understanding current Colombian literature – which is an echo of a reality marked by territorial disputes, by the presence of warlords and by the absence of judicial access – this article attempts to make a correlation between elements of literature, memory, loss of memory, and the trauma of this social reality, so as to allow a better understanding of Colombian reality. Through this frame of reference we analyze the novel El Olvido que Seremos (2005) by Hector Abad Faciolince. We start with a historical analysis of Colombia’s social and political context. Next we present some of the important features of Colombian literature and, more precisely, of the author of the book. Finaly, we consider the specificities of testimonial literature that are present in the work in question.