Oblivion: A Memoir

Although titled Oblivion: A Memoir, this book is much more than just a son’s reflections about his father. Through it, Héctor Abad Faciolince provides the reader with an intimate portrait of the human rights’ struggle in Colombia over his father’s lifetime, as well as, a wake-up call to a world wracked by violence.Written some twenty years after his father’s assassination on the streets of Medellín, Colombia, Oblivion is without a doubt one of the most transformative books that I have read in the past twenty years. Upon finishing it, I realized, perhaps for the first time in my life, that I have not done enough to ease the suffering of others. Truly, as I read the story of this positive, loving father, I was humbled not only by his unconditional love for his son, but for the people of Colombia and indeed the world.My full review is available on my blog at https://readingwritingreacting.wordpress.com/2015/12/23/book-review-oblivion-by-hector-abad/

This memoir is the fascinating, beautifully written coming of age story of Hector Abad, the son of Hector Abad Gomez. Gomez was no ordinary man; he was a towering presence in his son’s life and throughout Colombia. He was a professor, a doctor, and an international health care advocate who worked tirelessly to help Colombia’s poor. An enlightened man living in a not so enlightened time, he fought old world thinking while dodging Colombia’s deadly warring political factions. Ultimately, he paid for his passions with his life.This book provided me a glimpse into Colombia, the real Colombia, which unfortunately has had a tendency to be reduced by the western media as a land of violent drug cartels and coffee beans. But there is a complicated and beautiful history contained in this book that was a pleasure (and a horror) to discover.I thoroughly enjoyed this immensely personal, bittersweet tale of a father’s unconditional devotion to his son and would highly recommend it. It is often dark, and more often painful, but well worth the read.

My Great Grandparents were born and raised in the United States. I have had the opportunity to travel widely for most of my life. It never ceases to amaze me how blessed we are with freedoms & rights in this country that do not exist in much of world. Before you bash a political party in the USA, say a prayer of gratitude for the ability to do so.

I bought this book after reading a review of it in The Nation Magazine and was not disappointed. Intrigued from page one, I couldn't put the book down, an unusual reaction to a story about someone else's family. This is no hazy set of photographs taken by a 6-year old with his or her first camera. None of the important parts are cut from the scenes; we can observe whole people and situations as if we were in the picture ourselves. Oblivion is compelling in many ways: it tells about the joys and tragedies of one family in a very relatable way; it introduces readers to a nation and a religion with all the warts and oozy sin pouring out; it reveals Columbia's chaos and the crises of a nation that creates hardship and genuine fears for those it purports to govern; it leads to an understanding of parental love and what that love can and cannot do for children. This makes Oblivion not only inspirational, but also, a history and basic psychology lesson. That's a lot for any author to do without intellectual pretensions or maudlin descriptions or self laudatory revelation. Mr. Abed can write.I liked this book so much I bought it for my own adult children. I want them to see that we're not the only family that travels together with bumps along the way, that good and bad blending into grey is a common occurrence, that none of us escape the pain that comes with loving others as well as the joy we can choose to develop regardless of that pain. I hope Mr. Abed will continue writing and that we Americans will be recipients of his words. We need to hear what it's like to live in places without democratic protections and so-called entitlements. We have no idea what it's like to live without any safety net. Before we vote this November on the future of our nation, we need more books like this one.

I like generally like memoirs. I had no connection to this story other than seeing this referenced on a movie or show I was watching and i always maintain an interest in learning about other cultures from a biographical perspective. I feel I understand the people of the Columbian culture a little better than before. Also, the fringe extremes of any society are frustrating to me and end up being deadly for many.

I was afraid that this book would be dark, ominous, given the political reality of Colombia when Hector Abad Gomez was murdered by members of death squads in 1987. While we encounter evil, Oblivion is the love story of a father for his son and family, the passion of a humanist for social justice, an oasis of beauty in the middle of chaos. Social justice seems to lose against the paramilitary forces, with so many people disappearing, being tortured and killed but we are left with hope for the future. A truly memorable book.

I truely enjoyed this book, not only a memoir, but also provided great incites on life, violence, social activism, and human rights struggles in Medellin, Colombia. Oblivian, really helped me reconnect with whats important in the world, which I sometimes lose sight of becuase of materialistic pleasures. Most importantly, it helped me understand the importance of really enjoying the experience of loved ones while they are still alive, because life is truely finite, and we only get one shot. Great read by a gifted Colombian writer.

Bien presentado, excelente texto

Given the emotive subject of the book it is difficult to complain. The expectation I had was a well constructed book about the social and political dilemmas of Columbia. For the most part, It is a description of a family history and only comes the subject matter three quarters of the way through. The writing style is acceptable for the first chapters, but then it becomes undisciplined. It is too wordy, rambling and self indulgent I found myself fast reading and skipping sections to get to the crux.It is disappointing, in that the book has something important to relate and record.

The description of life in Columbia is at the same time beautiful for the loving family life created by an amazing couple described by their son, and frightening about the corruption and death squads that his father countered. He was a very brave man with a clear vision of what is right that he kept sharing and working towards despite major opposition. The strength and loving supporting the mother is as important in this story.

A good picture of the times and poverty .

I have only just started to read this book, but it is going well so far.

the stories that should not be forgotten have been lovingly recreated. this rare and private account is almost meditative in its self reflection and absent any distasteful self justification. thank you for helping me to know more about the complex political struggle and what it says about human fallibility, whim, and the thirst for power, but perhaps more importantly, compassion. one man can make a difference in life, he need not be a martyr in death.