"I wish I could have told my younger self that eventually everything would be alright—but even now, I question if it ever was."
Rocío Velásquez Dresser
At the age of 11, I already knew Father was preparing to leave—long before anyone said it aloud. It wasn’t something he confessed or even hinted at. It was the muddy boots, the military uniform hidden under a box of books, the maps and newspaper clippings about Cuba and U.S. oil. He thought I wouldn’t notice. But children have a way of sensing when something sacred begins to unravel. What I found in that garage wasn’t just evidence of a secret—it was the quiet echo of goodbye.
A Novel by Rocío Velásquez Dresser
"Life in my Father’s Shadow"
“A harrowing tale inspired by true events, Life in my Father’s Shadow by Rocio Velásquez Dresser recounts the life of a man - torn between serving his family and his country - through the lens of his eldest daughter. A historical period piece, this novel sews together the political unravellings of mid-twentieth century Colombia caught in political turmoil with the ephemeral innocence of a father’s young children forced to confront it all.”
About Rocío Dresser
Rocío Dresser is a distinguished emerita professor at San José State University and an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego. With a career dedicated to teacher education, she has enriched the field of bilingual education and literacy with publications that resonate internationally on issues of multiculturalism.
“Life in my Father’s Shadow", by Rocío Velásquez Dresser is a heartbreaking story inspired by real events.
This story takes place in Colombia in the 1960s, where the author’s world is defined by her father, a notorious figure known simply as ‘The Doctor.’ Dr. Velásquez is a rebel, a man of principles, and a prodigious communist organizer in the Americas, with ties to Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, and a prime target of the CIA, who put a bounty on his head. ‘The Doctor’ is forced into hiding, leaving his daughter to cope with the void, stripped of the father she adores. Amid the chaos of the era, in her quest to find him, she unravels the intricate tapestry of his clandestine life that intertwines politics, loyalty, and family ties. As the eldest of four siblings, Rocío takes on the responsibility of raising them, witnessing her mother’s sacrifices to protect the family.
In the Media: Interviews with Rocío Dresser
Explore the various conversations with Dr. Rocío Dresser about her moving book ‘Life in my Father's Shadow' and her inspiring career. From presentations in Bogotá to international talks.
Dr. Rocío Dresser - Book presentation at La Trocha
Speaking from La Casa de Paz in Bogotá, Dr. Rocío presents her poignant book Life in My Father’s Shadow.
Speaking from La Casa de Paz in Bogotá, Dr. Rocío presents her poignant book Life in My Father’s Shadow.
Noticias de la Cultura:
Rocío reveals Details of Her Work Exploring Her Father’s Life Under the Dictatorship of General Rojas Pinilla.
Rocío reveals Details of Her Work Exploring Her Father’s Life Under the Dictatorship of General Rojas Pinilla.
Fortis Publishing Interview
Rocío is being interviewed by Ken Scott (Fortis Publishing) from England, where she discusses the central themes of her new book, Life in My Father’s Shadow.
Rocío is being interviewed by Ken Scott (Fortis Publishing) from England, where she discusses the central themes of her new book, Life in My Father’s Shadow.
Presentation at the National University of Colombia
In this talk at the National University of Colombia, the author invites us on an intimate journey of resilience and hope, exploring the complexities of family and the pursuit of truth.
In this talk at the National University of Colombia, the author invites us on an intimate journey of resilience and hope, exploring the complexities of family and the pursuit of truth.
Rocío Velásquez Dresser’s powerful talk at the National Pedagogical University, "Life in My Father’s Shadow"
Discover the gripping story of a daughter who uncovers her father’s hidden past amid the political turmoil of the 1960s.
Discover the gripping story of a daughter who uncovers her father’s hidden past amid the political turmoil of the 1960s.
I had the opportunity to showcase my work at the inaugural KPBS and USD Book Festival, a vibrant, free, and family-friendly celebration of storytelling and community held on August 23, 2025, at the beautiful University of San Diego campus. Presented by USD and produced by KPBS, the festival brought together a diverse and passionate community of authors, readers, publishers, and book lovers for a day filled with literary energy.
Would you like to learn more about the festival?
Discover all the highlights of the KPBS and USD Book Festival! Explore the full program, meet the guest authors, and dive into everything that made this literary event so special.
Photo Gallery
A visual journey through meaningful moments, including book launches, gatherings, and behind-the-scenes highlights
Reviews
Discover what readers and critics are saying about ‘Life in my father’s Shadow’. Their comments reflect the impact and depth of this work, inviting you to explore this moving story.
The book everyone should read! This is an incredible book about the story of a girl who tries to discover what her father, her hero, was doing behind the scenes. As the eldest daughter, she felt responsible for caring for and protecting her mother and siblings from the malicious people who were persecuting her father. At the same time, she felt both disappointment and pride in him because of his ideas about equality and social justice. She couldn't understand why her father put other people before his own family. His love for the cause seemed to be stronger than his love for his own. His father's desire to protect his “comrades” led him to disappear, and his return was not well received by everyone. This book takes you through the struggles and sacrifices of a family trying to stay safe in difficult times.
Simply wow!Incredible from start to finish. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to start it all over again.
An intriguing and thought-provoking historical novel, full of drama and suspense. Absorbing and masterfully written, this historical novel is based on the life of a Colombian family whose father was a doctor and revolutionary in the mid-20th century. Dr. Velásquez is a very intriguing and complex character who leads a double life, torn between his revolutionary passions and his love for his family, choosing what he believed to be the greater good. With a largely absent father and a nomadic lifestyle that took them between Colombia, the United States, and Canada, the Velásquez family faced many trials and tribulations, but their mutual love and close family ties endured. The detailed political history and the variety of personalities and cultures are fascinating. The book is a captivating story, full of drama and suspense. I highly recommend it.
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