"War always seemed distant from Bogota, like niebla descending on the hills and forests of the countryside and jungles. The way it approached us was like a fog as well, without us realizing, until it sat embroiling everything around us. "
Fruit of the Drunken Tree is a novel set in Escobar-era Colombia that shares the torturous tale of a woman torn between two impossible choices. Narration alternates between Chula, a child whose voice is portrayed skillfully by Contreras, and Petrona, her live-in maid. Reading this novel was heartbreaking in its portayal of friendship that defies all odds, but also has the power to cause great pain. Contreras drew us in with her exquisite prose, and we found this dual coming of age utterly compelling (in no small part because the story was inspired by her personal experiences as a child). We highly recommend Fruit of the Drunken Tree and give the novel 4.5 stars!
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