A review by louissb
The Robber of Memories: A River Journey Through Colombia by Michael Jacobs

4.0

More akin to a meditation over a changing background than a travelogue (until the final section), I found this elegantly written and thoughtful. Jacobs' deep knowledge of Colombia is complemented by an intellectual humility that lets him guide the reader beyond the obvious initial impressions, but without becoming patronising. The beauty, heat, bustle and friendliness of the country are all palpable through Jacobs' prose, and I liked the interspersing of his own musings, family memories and research interludes, which brings a fascinating additional dimension to the book. The cast of characters that pop up are eccentric and varied, aided by the author's seemingly endless list of (often impressive) friends and acquaintances.

I'd recommend particularly to anyone with an interest in Latin America, Colombia or memory loss.