Magical Realism for Non-Believers

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A young woman from Minnesota embarks on a journey to find her Colombian father, whom she has never known, in a profound exploration of family. Growing up, her mother's explanation about her father's absence satisfied her childhood curiosity, but at twenty-one, Anika Fajardo seeks a deeper understanding of her father and the country that captivated him. In 1995, she travels to Colombia, confronting the unfamiliarity of her birthplace and the estrangement from her father. As she navigates this new world, she discovers that piecing together her family history is not straightforward. Her tentative entry into her father's life leads her down unexpected paths, revealing secrets about her family and herself. Set against the contrasting landscapes of Colombia and the American Midwest, her journey reflects on her parents' troubled marriage in the 1970s and her own experiences as a parent today. Along the way, she faces various challenges—from treacherous mountain roads to personal loss and the joys of motherhood. The most complex obstacles involve reconciling memory and truth while finding her place within her family and the world. Through vivid storytelling, Fajardo's narrative compellingly bridges time and place, ultimately revealing that family is defined by where you find it and how you shape it.