The Shape of the Ruins by Juan Gabriel Vásquez - 4 stars

[Joy D]

The Shape of the Ruins by Juan Gabriel Vásquez - 4* - My Review

This is a most unusual and creative historical fiction set in Colombia that focuses on two (real) political assassinations: Jorge Eliécer Gaitán in 1948 and Rafael Uribe Uribe in 1914. The protagonist, Vásquez, shares the author’s name and profession. It features Vásquez’s interactions with conspiracy theorists who possess supposed “evidence” about these murders. The storyline illustrates how Colombia’s national identity has been shaped by violence and how the Colombian people have been impacted. It also portrays how conspiracy thinking can turn into an obsession.

I particularly enjoyed the many references to Colombian literature (including specific references to Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez). It is a densely written book that requires patience. The conspiracy elements can occasionally feel overwhelming (especially since it presents some older theories as if they were facts, before eventually exposing the inconsistencies). It will appeal to those who enjoy sophisticated narratives that shed light on historical events and help put them into perspective. I found it relevant to today’s world of seemingly endless conspiracy theories.