Colombian writers who teach you Spanish with their literary works

Literature is a powerful tool for learning a new language, and Colombia has a rich literary tradition that every Spanish learner should be familiar with. Reading Colombian authors not only helps you improve your vocabulary, reading comprehension, and grammar, but also allows you to immerse yourself in the culture, landscapes, and way of thinking of native speakers.

Here's a list of Colombian writers whose work is perfect for those who want to learn Spanish in an authentic and meaningful way.

1. Gabriel García Márquez

Genre: Magical realism, novel, short story.

Recommended work: Cien años de soledad  - One Hundred Years of Solitude, Crónica de una muerte anunciada  - Chronicle of a Death Foretold, El coronel no tiene quien le escriba  - No One Writes to the Colonel.

Why read him: He is the most famous Colombian author worldwide. His works offer exceptional linguistic richness, combining simple sentences with more elaborate constructions. He also portrays the idiosyncrasies of the Colombian Caribbean in a unique way.

2. Laura Restrepo

Genre: Political novel, realism.

Recommended books: Delirio - Delirium , La multitud errante - The Wandering Crowd , Dulce compañía - Sweet Company.

Why read her: Her books blend the Colombian political and social context with intense personal stories. Ideal for practicing contemporary Spanish and learning about the country's cultural and social issues.

3. Álvaro Mutis

Genre: Poetry, novel.

Recommended work: La nieve del almirante - The Admiral's Snow, Empresas y tribulaciones de Maqroll el Gaviero - The Ventures and Tribulations of Maqroll the Gaviero.

Why read it: Its style is poetic and thoughtful, which will help you expand your vocabulary and understand more complex linguistic structures.

4. William Ospina

Genre: Essay, historical novel.

Recommended books: El país de la canela -  The Country of Cinnamon, La serpiente sin ojos  - The Snake Without Eyes, Ursúa - Ursúa.

Why read it: Through his historical novels, Ospina transports readers to Colombia's colonial past. Perfect for advanced students who want to improve their reading level and learn about the country's history.

5. Melba Escobar

Genre: Contemporary fiction, social novel

Recommended work: La casa de la belleza - House of Beauty, Cuando éramos felices pero no lo sabíamos -  When We Were Happy But We Didn't Know It.

Why read it: Its language is contemporary and clear. It's an excellent way to learn how Colombian Spanish is spoken in large cities.

6. Tomás González

Genre: Contemporary Novel

Recommended work:  La luz difícil - The Difficult Light, El lejano amor de los extraños - The Distant Love of Strangers.

Why read it: She uses simple but very expressive Spanish. Her stories are introspective and allow you to practice emotional and descriptive reading.

Benefits of reading in another language

• You improve your vocabulary naturally.

You learn words and expressions in their real-life context.

• You develop your reading comprehension.

You get used to different grammatical structures and narrative styles.

• You learn culture while you study.

Books reflect how the people of a country think and feel.

• You stimulate your imagination in the new language.

Reading activates your mind in Spanish, reinforcing your bilingual thinking.

• You can read at your own pace.

Unlike a conversation, you can reread what you don't understand.

Conclusion

Immersing yourself in Colombian literature is an enriching way to learn Spanish. Not only will you improve your language skills, but you'll also discover profound stories, unique landscapes, and an authentic way of seeing the world. If you're learning Spanish, let Colombian writers be your guides!