This is the memoir of a woman born in Colombia who was brought to the United States by her mother as a very young child. She never got to know her father, and knew even less about Colombia. She is raised by her mother and has close ties to her grandparents, growing up in Minnesota.

The first part of this book flew by for me. I really enjoyed reading the story of how Anika visited her father when she was a college student and got to know him and his new wife. I loved how she was getting in touch with that side of her heritage.

It really slowed down for me at some point toward the middle. I just didn't understand what the takeaway was from this memoir. Families grow and change, people are born and people die, but I was left wondering what it was she wanted the reader to really learn.

Anika Fajardo has a beautiful way with language. I think that if something about this book was a little different, this would have been a 4 or a 5 for me. The pacing? Going deeper instead of wider? I'm not sure. It was overall a pleasant read and makes me want to learn more about Colombia.

In Magical Realism for Non Belivers, Fajardo takes the reader on her journey to reunite with her absent father in Colombia as she reckons with her connection/ disconnection from her culture and family lineage.

Short chapters moving through time catalogue the memories that give context to her time in Colombia, allowing the reader to understand the ways in which Fakardo is building a deeper sense of identity. Her writing is descriptive and straightforward, leaving space for a strong emotional honesty.

As an educator, this is a book I will happily share with my students looking for a mirror of how our sense of self, our connections, and whom we call family change over time.

Anika really helped me delve into other cultures through this memoir. While I found that it jumped around a lot and it was hard to follow at some points, I really enjoyed reading about her life, her quest to find out more about her father, and her background and heritage. Her imagining scenarios and creating made up thoughts for others was a little off-putting as well. I liked her writing style though for the most part...and what person hasn't thought "What If?" at some point in their life?

Thank you Netgalley and University of Minnesota Press for the advance copy, which was provided in exchange for an honest review

Only two years after being born in Colombia, Anika Fajardo's parents split and her mother moved her to Minnesota. Almost twenty years later, Anika traveled to Colombia to meet her father for the first time since the split. In Magical Realism for Non-Believers, she explores the ties of family, identity, and paths not taken.

Fajardo has an interesting story and perspective, and I appreciate the themes she takes on in this memoir. It's often overwrought with heavy metaphors and the narrative voice doesn't always feel consistent, but overall, I enjoyed it. I didn't mind the skipping around in the story other reviewers disliked, but I wish we had gotten to hear a little more of Fajardo's personality come through the over embellished prose.

Thank to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.