Ingrid Rojas Contreras

The cultural history in The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras is not one I am familiar with. The story weaves back and forth between the present to stories of the past - the author, her mother, Nono, and other relatives. After a while, I stop trying to follow the chronology and float along. With the myriad stories and the lack of a cultural context, I am not sure I completely understand the family story being told, but the tale is a fascinating mythological journey.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/03/the-man-who-could-move-clouds.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.… (mais)

This is the story of two girls in the chaotic world of Bogota, Colombia during the early 90’s when the drug lord Pablo Escobar ruled Columbia with an ungodly fist.

The first and younger of the two is Chula. She lives in a relatively safe area of Bogota while her father works for an oil company. Although her home and family seem safe, the stories surrounding her such as a girl ripped apart by a bomb, or a candidate shot down by the opposition bullets in front of herself and her mother belie the safety of their bubble.

When Chula’s mother decides to hire a maid from the lines of people standing on the street seeking work, she picks Petrona, five years older than Chula. She rejoices how cheaply she can hire someone – giving them the equivalent of daily rice and vegetables. Little does she know that Petrona’s family is almost entirely dependent on Petrona’s meager daily wage for support.

Petrona had lived on a moderately prosperous farm with her family, until it was raided by guerillas, her father and oldest brothers killed or kidnapped. Now Petrona and her family live in a shack constructed of what they can find and surrounded by people who support Pablo Escobar and the guerillas in their quest to find more justice for the working poor.

The two opposing economic and political views lead to impossible choices forced on Petrona when Chula’s family becomes their target.

While the girls’ lives have a short time of intersection, ultimately it is their class and circumstances which separate them and determine their fates.

Some of the incidents in the novel reflect Ms. Contreras's childhood experiences in Bogota. I'm sure that contributed to the immediacy and intensity of the novel.… (mais)

What a unique and well written memoir of the author's life. It is an homage to her grandfather Nono and her mother Mam.i. Ms. Contreras grew up in Columbia during a time of revolution and major drug cartels so there is always an undercurrent of danger. The family survives as Nono is known as a healer and Mami is a fortune teller of sorts.. Both are well respected in their "fields". Eventually Ms. Contreras immigrates with some of her family to the United States but she is still a creature of her "magical" background. A justly rewarded memoir… (mais)