Safe Return Doubtful

translated from the Spanish (Colombia) by Annie McDermott

Rarely have I read a book that has a such a strong sense of place. It doesn’t take much to inspire me towards more travel, I have spent much of my life on the road, but now there’s another place on that ‘yet to be visited’ list.

The setting is Chocó on the northwest Pacific coast of Colombia, with Panama to the north. The structure is of a series of letters from the author to n unnamed friend, and through these the author’s experiences are set out. It is a story of returning home, escaping the big city for a more peaceful life; swapping Medellín fo the coastal town of Bahía Solano, to work on a project, the Motete Educational and Cultural Corporation which works to promote reading and culture in Chocó.

The lyrical style is of water, with frequent references to the Ocean, the Guapi and the Quito rivers, their spirit and flow as they interact with their surroundings. The culture of the region is a highlight also.

It’s a short, yet very beautiful piece of writing, and one I would never have experienced if it wasn’t for the wonderful Edinburgh publisher, Charco.

My GoodReads score 4 / 5