*In the Beginning Was the Sea* by Tomás González is a novel that tells the story of a man who moves with his family from the city to a rural area in Colombia in search of a new beginning. Set against the backdrop of the lush and challenging landscape, the novel explores themes of displacement, personal transformation, and the search for meaning in a seemingly inhospitable environment. González’s narrative is rich with vivid descriptions of the natural world and delves into the inner lives of the characters as they confront their pasts and adapt to their new surroundings. The novel offers a poignant examination of how individuals and families grapple with change and the impact of their surroundings on their lives and relationships.