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High Treason
Rodrigo is lying on the dirty floor of a police prison cell with a terrible hangover. As he awakens, he hears that the attempt to assassinate President Hugo Ch vez has failed. Fearful and repentant, he recalls the events that led him and his friends to plan the attack. This passionate novel mixes the recent history of Venezuela with powerful fiction to tell the tales of Rodrigo, Manuel, Alfredo, Carmen and Maikel. In addition to representing different social classes, these characters are mobilized by the expectations, disappointments and terrible losses they experience. The result is an intimate image of the emotions felt by Venezuelan society in response to the radical changes the country has seen.
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First published July 1, 2012
About the author
Alberto Ambard
5 books10 followersAlberto Ambard (Caracas, 1970) co-authored Alta Traición, a novel about the social and political changes Venezuela has suffered in the past 20 years and their emotional effect on Venezuelans. The novel was translated into English as High Treason, and was well received by critics. He also published Dogma, A Red Door, And A Birthday, and A Dream In The Grove. His short stories has been published by Devil's Party Press, Adelaide Books and the Pennsylvania Literary Journal. He currently resides in Portland, OR, along with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 28, 2013
A story becomes meaningful when it evokes my feelings and makes me catch myself remembering its characters and events long after the reading was done. And that is exactly what happened when I finished HIGH TREASON, the novel which takes place in Caracas, Venezuela throughout 1988-2007.
To be honest, I didn’t feel attached to the first part of the story, immersing the reader into a leisurely, warm, constant siesta world of pre-Chavez epoch, lacking exciting events and giving the background to the future dramatic events. But my lethargy was completely swept away when I started the second part, told in the third voice, which made the deeper and wider outlook on the developing situation leading to the climax which starts the novel – the assassination attempt on Chavez life. And then the whole picture took on special significance and meaning, giving sharp contrast between two eras: before and after.
And so, finishing the book with a puzzled impression, I opened it again to understand what I missed. And then the magic of the story worked on me miraculously—I perceived every single detail coming to its place, like a thread weaving through the cozy garment which becomes your favorite thing to keep closer to your heart and feel long after it becomes faded and out of fashion. I realized how wrong I was in my initial judgment, and this time thoroughly enjoyed the unhurried pace of the beginning, absorbing the details and conversations which first didn’t affect my feelings.
And I understood why—the premise hinting at a political thriller forced me to search its elements in every event, and when I didn’t find anything of the kind, I felt deceived and ready to quit reading. I’m so glad I didn’t!
I highly recommend this novel to people seeking meaning behind surrounding events—you won’t regret any bit of it!
To be honest, I didn’t feel attached to the first part of the story, immersing the reader into a leisurely, warm, constant siesta world of pre-Chavez epoch, lacking exciting events and giving the background to the future dramatic events. But my lethargy was completely swept away when I started the second part, told in the third voice, which made the deeper and wider outlook on the developing situation leading to the climax which starts the novel – the assassination attempt on Chavez life. And then the whole picture took on special significance and meaning, giving sharp contrast between two eras: before and after.
And so, finishing the book with a puzzled impression, I opened it again to understand what I missed. And then the magic of the story worked on me miraculously—I perceived every single detail coming to its place, like a thread weaving through the cozy garment which becomes your favorite thing to keep closer to your heart and feel long after it becomes faded and out of fashion. I realized how wrong I was in my initial judgment, and this time thoroughly enjoyed the unhurried pace of the beginning, absorbing the details and conversations which first didn’t affect my feelings.
And I understood why—the premise hinting at a political thriller forced me to search its elements in every event, and when I didn’t find anything of the kind, I felt deceived and ready to quit reading. I’m so glad I didn’t!
I highly recommend this novel to people seeking meaning behind surrounding events—you won’t regret any bit of it!
November 12, 2012
High Treason is a literay drama mixed with historical fiction and political thriller. It brims with Venezuelan politics, expressing an anti-Chavez viewpoint. Without getting into a country's political turmoil I have no right to opine upon as an American who hasn't lived it, the politics are essential to the novel (and perhaps its primary focus) in that they fuel the characters' emotions, alter their development, and eventually define their fates.
Despite being Venezuelan, the three main characters - Rodrigo, Manuel, and Alfredo - aren't so far off from American youth and are more than relatable; I felt as though the three talked and acted like my circle of friends at their age, late teens when the novel begins. For me, this was one of the novel's most enticing points: comparing my teenage years to theirs and wondering how I would have turned out had I been placed in their political climate.
High Treason explores two decades of Venezualan political and cultural life through the eyes of Rodrigo, Manuel, and Alfredo. For those who look to be educated while entertained or like to explore different cultures or ideals, High Treason is a recommended read. The story itself keeps the reader's interest, and I suspect different readers will identify with different primary characters. The characters break from convention; they aren't necessarily good or evil, but real and human.
For technical sticklers, some changes in point of view added minor confusion. Also, at times the author would be very abstract (particularly through the character Carmen and her writings), and although I understand the philosophical concepts the authors wished to impose (and with good reason), I found their method superfluous and an interruption to the story, which already does plenty on its own to provoke thought.
Overall, however, High Treason is quite enjoyable. For those who experienced the events described in it or those wishing to learn about them in a captivating way, High Treason is a must read.
Despite being Venezuelan, the three main characters - Rodrigo, Manuel, and Alfredo - aren't so far off from American youth and are more than relatable; I felt as though the three talked and acted like my circle of friends at their age, late teens when the novel begins. For me, this was one of the novel's most enticing points: comparing my teenage years to theirs and wondering how I would have turned out had I been placed in their political climate.
High Treason explores two decades of Venezualan political and cultural life through the eyes of Rodrigo, Manuel, and Alfredo. For those who look to be educated while entertained or like to explore different cultures or ideals, High Treason is a recommended read. The story itself keeps the reader's interest, and I suspect different readers will identify with different primary characters. The characters break from convention; they aren't necessarily good or evil, but real and human.
For technical sticklers, some changes in point of view added minor confusion. Also, at times the author would be very abstract (particularly through the character Carmen and her writings), and although I understand the philosophical concepts the authors wished to impose (and with good reason), I found their method superfluous and an interruption to the story, which already does plenty on its own to provoke thought.
Overall, however, High Treason is quite enjoyable. For those who experienced the events described in it or those wishing to learn about them in a captivating way, High Treason is a must read.
October 12, 2012
High Treason
High Treason is a literary coming of age narrative. It is also a political and philosophical novel, solidly written in colorful language. A preface prepares the reader with a description of Venezuela’s political history. We are then introduced to Rodrigo, a teacher, in jail the day after an attempt on President Chavez’s life. What part did Rodrigo play, and what will happen to him? We don’t know until near the novel’s end.
The story begins in 1988 with three high school graduates, Rodrigo, Manuel, and Alfredo, who are looking forward to attending separate universities. Presently they are more interested in hanging out together, drinking and joking, not knowing when they can get together again. They represent wealth amid squalor.
The narrative dances back and forth between past and present. After baby stepping forward, it swings back and reflects on background and past events of each young man, so we get to know more about him and why he is the way he is. Because the story begins with Rodrigo in first person, I thought he was the main character, but first person changes to third and briefly switches to first person much later in the novel. Midway, it dawned on me that we have three main characters.
This book is not a thriller, for the characters mainly converse, perhaps over a game of dominoes while joking or talking politics...or they or the authors reflect over the past.
So why do we continue reading? To see how these characters cope with Venezuela’s instability and to find out why Rodrigo is in prison. We see no scenes that show them in classrooms or later working in offices. We are told Alfredo is a doctor, Rodrigo a teacher, Manuel a lawyer. What is important is what is inside each man.
On occasion the violence of crime or revolution leaks through the cracks of their complacency or their efforts to hold onto a peaceful and promising existence. They look on from an emotional distance, but the distance is shrinking. The novel perks along at its slow pace, so when violence touches our characters, even though it is not minutely detailed, the contrast is a shock. And we are grateful for the lack of detail; for we are familiar enough with such events to already know the details. And they are painful.
How do these three friends cope in a corrupt society? We get three answers. Manuel surrenders to corruption, Rodrigo fumes against it, and Alfredo escapes it. Not in the way you would expect. What type of high treason does each display? To country? To family? Or to self?
Once we’ve finished the story, we mull the characters and their situation. And we ask our self, what would we do in similar circumstances?
High Treason is a literary coming of age narrative. It is also a political and philosophical novel, solidly written in colorful language. A preface prepares the reader with a description of Venezuela’s political history. We are then introduced to Rodrigo, a teacher, in jail the day after an attempt on President Chavez’s life. What part did Rodrigo play, and what will happen to him? We don’t know until near the novel’s end.
The story begins in 1988 with three high school graduates, Rodrigo, Manuel, and Alfredo, who are looking forward to attending separate universities. Presently they are more interested in hanging out together, drinking and joking, not knowing when they can get together again. They represent wealth amid squalor.
The narrative dances back and forth between past and present. After baby stepping forward, it swings back and reflects on background and past events of each young man, so we get to know more about him and why he is the way he is. Because the story begins with Rodrigo in first person, I thought he was the main character, but first person changes to third and briefly switches to first person much later in the novel. Midway, it dawned on me that we have three main characters.
This book is not a thriller, for the characters mainly converse, perhaps over a game of dominoes while joking or talking politics...or they or the authors reflect over the past.
So why do we continue reading? To see how these characters cope with Venezuela’s instability and to find out why Rodrigo is in prison. We see no scenes that show them in classrooms or later working in offices. We are told Alfredo is a doctor, Rodrigo a teacher, Manuel a lawyer. What is important is what is inside each man.
On occasion the violence of crime or revolution leaks through the cracks of their complacency or their efforts to hold onto a peaceful and promising existence. They look on from an emotional distance, but the distance is shrinking. The novel perks along at its slow pace, so when violence touches our characters, even though it is not minutely detailed, the contrast is a shock. And we are grateful for the lack of detail; for we are familiar enough with such events to already know the details. And they are painful.
How do these three friends cope in a corrupt society? We get three answers. Manuel surrenders to corruption, Rodrigo fumes against it, and Alfredo escapes it. Not in the way you would expect. What type of high treason does each display? To country? To family? Or to self?
Once we’ve finished the story, we mull the characters and their situation. And we ask our self, what would we do in similar circumstances?
May 4, 2013
I'll start by saying I was given a copy of this book to review by the author, which is to say it's not normally something I'd choose to read.
When I started reading, I realized I didn't know anything about Venezuela, even though it's sort of a neighbor. I started asking people around me what thy knew about the country and was surprised to find most of my friends didn't know anything either (I have a point somewhere in here, promise).
The description of Venezuela was at times eerily familiar, and others different enough that it felt like I was listening to distant accounts of my country's own past history. To think that our past would resemble anyone's present is creepy enough, I guess.
Sometimes the book reads like a manifesto, and sometimes like a collection of short anecdotes. I'm not complaining, but I did get lost in some of the transitions, and anybody who has a problem with narration going off on a tangent probably won't like it very much. There's quite a few tangents, and sometimes tangents within tangents.
I liked the anecdotes interspaced with the narration because they gave us more of each character, and the parts that read like a manifesto - whether on purpose or not - act as such, I think, and would inspire people to take a look around and pay attention to what's happening.
I loved that the events depicted were based on real things and explained as such. It made it all feel more real to me.
Now, for the story elements within the history...
This books is the story of a group of friends and how life changes that friendship in various ways, adding and subtracting elements along the way. Each character is very different and I'm sure everyone will be able to spot familiar about these people if they look hard enough.
A complaint: I did find the change between first person narration and third person narration a bit jarring sometimes, and I couldn't understand why. A couple of times it seemed to happen within the same story. I would've been fine with 3rd person from the start. Maybe because I had my problems with getting into Rodrigo's part of the story as much.
A confession: I never liked Carmen too much, I don't exactly know why. Maybe because to me it felt like she was standing on a soap box... But I'll leave her alone. The part I liked the most was her story that Rodrigo was reading through.
I would have liked to see more of the other boys and their thoughts before halfway through the book. I guess that's also part of my complaint with the change in narration.
All in all, it's an interesting story and both it and the characters it gives us feel real.
When I started reading, I realized I didn't know anything about Venezuela, even though it's sort of a neighbor. I started asking people around me what thy knew about the country and was surprised to find most of my friends didn't know anything either (I have a point somewhere in here, promise).
The description of Venezuela was at times eerily familiar, and others different enough that it felt like I was listening to distant accounts of my country's own past history. To think that our past would resemble anyone's present is creepy enough, I guess.
Sometimes the book reads like a manifesto, and sometimes like a collection of short anecdotes. I'm not complaining, but I did get lost in some of the transitions, and anybody who has a problem with narration going off on a tangent probably won't like it very much. There's quite a few tangents, and sometimes tangents within tangents.
I liked the anecdotes interspaced with the narration because they gave us more of each character, and the parts that read like a manifesto - whether on purpose or not - act as such, I think, and would inspire people to take a look around and pay attention to what's happening.
I loved that the events depicted were based on real things and explained as such. It made it all feel more real to me.
Now, for the story elements within the history...
This books is the story of a group of friends and how life changes that friendship in various ways, adding and subtracting elements along the way. Each character is very different and I'm sure everyone will be able to spot familiar about these people if they look hard enough.
A complaint: I did find the change between first person narration and third person narration a bit jarring sometimes, and I couldn't understand why. A couple of times it seemed to happen within the same story. I would've been fine with 3rd person from the start. Maybe because I had my problems with getting into Rodrigo's part of the story as much.
A confession: I never liked Carmen too much, I don't exactly know why. Maybe because to me it felt like she was standing on a soap box... But I'll leave her alone. The part I liked the most was her story that Rodrigo was reading through.
I would have liked to see more of the other boys and their thoughts before halfway through the book. I guess that's also part of my complaint with the change in narration.
All in all, it's an interesting story and both it and the characters it gives us feel real.
April 12, 2013
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest (non-reciprocal) review.
The summary of this novel includes the line "This passionate novel mixes the recent history of Venezuela with powerful fiction", and after reading it I can say I definitely felt the passion. The authors of this book clearly knew their subject well, and if the ultimate point of this book is to spread the message of what has happened in Venezuela then I think it does a very good job of evoking compassion for the people there.
PROS:
- I didn't find many mistakes while reading this novel, and it's apparently a translation. Had I not read that it was a translation I wouldn't have known that, so it's a very good translation.
- The authors seem to have a great grasp on the subject. There were many spots in the book that had footnotes to explain the details of what they were talking about.
- The characters varied in their personalities and beliefs. As the novel goes on it's easy to understand their motivations and mindsets.
- The overall feel of the book, and the way it presents how an oppressive government effects its people, is done very well. I could see why some of the characters felt trapped in their situations, or why they felt so angry.
CONS:
- Many times the book wandered off subject. The chapter might begin with one character doing something, then it would mention another character; and at the mention of the second character it would go on for paragraphs about something that happened in the past with that character. After that anecdote the story might snap back to the first subject and continue on, or it might wander off on a third subject.
This could get really confusing because I might start off reading about Rodrigo doing something at his friend's house, and then suddenly be reading all about the friend's maid. It seemed almost like it couldn't mention a new name without including some sort of anecdote about them.
With all of the side narratives, even if they were interesting, it was easy to get lost on what the characters were originally doing.
This isn't the type of book I would normally read but I don't regret reading it. I think it provides a very interesting view of Venezuela, and anyone interested in the subject should definitely give it a read. I'd give it around a 4.5.
The summary of this novel includes the line "This passionate novel mixes the recent history of Venezuela with powerful fiction", and after reading it I can say I definitely felt the passion. The authors of this book clearly knew their subject well, and if the ultimate point of this book is to spread the message of what has happened in Venezuela then I think it does a very good job of evoking compassion for the people there.
PROS:
- I didn't find many mistakes while reading this novel, and it's apparently a translation. Had I not read that it was a translation I wouldn't have known that, so it's a very good translation.
- The authors seem to have a great grasp on the subject. There were many spots in the book that had footnotes to explain the details of what they were talking about.
- The characters varied in their personalities and beliefs. As the novel goes on it's easy to understand their motivations and mindsets.
- The overall feel of the book, and the way it presents how an oppressive government effects its people, is done very well. I could see why some of the characters felt trapped in their situations, or why they felt so angry.
CONS:
- Many times the book wandered off subject. The chapter might begin with one character doing something, then it would mention another character; and at the mention of the second character it would go on for paragraphs about something that happened in the past with that character. After that anecdote the story might snap back to the first subject and continue on, or it might wander off on a third subject.
This could get really confusing because I might start off reading about Rodrigo doing something at his friend's house, and then suddenly be reading all about the friend's maid. It seemed almost like it couldn't mention a new name without including some sort of anecdote about them.
With all of the side narratives, even if they were interesting, it was easy to get lost on what the characters were originally doing.
This isn't the type of book I would normally read but I don't regret reading it. I think it provides a very interesting view of Venezuela, and anyone interested in the subject should definitely give it a read. I'd give it around a 4.5.
Want to Read
August 28, 2012Se ve demasiado bueno este libro!
December 1, 2017
Young, middle class Venezuelans study to get ahead in life in a country blessed with the largest oil reserve in the western hemisphere. Their future looks bright until socialism rears its ugly head. Hugo Chávez rises to the presidency. The once prosperous nation is plunged overnight into a state of famine, crime, and corruption. The streets are plagued with robbery, stabbings, and shootings. Property is seized and given to Chávez supporters. Finally, the small clique of school friends hatch a plot to assassinate the president.
High Treason tells a tale of life in modern Venezuela that resonates everywhere. The impact that one poisonous leader can have on a country should open the eyes of all who vote. Chávez’ twisted ideology turned a free and prosperous nation into a communistic cesspool where no one is safe, and no one has enough to eat except the ruling elite. Ambard and Mondragón are both Venezuelan. They write with voice of authority from the safety of the United States. This is a very important book. It should be read and taken to heart by all who value their way of life. As an added bonus, it’s free.
High Treason tells a tale of life in modern Venezuela that resonates everywhere. The impact that one poisonous leader can have on a country should open the eyes of all who vote. Chávez’ twisted ideology turned a free and prosperous nation into a communistic cesspool where no one is safe, and no one has enough to eat except the ruling elite. Ambard and Mondragón are both Venezuelan. They write with voice of authority from the safety of the United States. This is a very important book. It should be read and taken to heart by all who value their way of life. As an added bonus, it’s free.
July 20, 2012
Observations and Insights from the Students: Changes in Venezuela
Some readers are skeptical when a novel is listed as having two authors: an two people be so much on the same wave length that they can non-competitively create a story that holds together so well that it seems the work of one person? In the case of HIGH TREASON the answer is emphatically YES! Alberto Ambard is a maxillofacial prosthodontist who was born in Venezuela and grew up there during the events of this book and Amelia Mondragon, born in Spain but grew up in Venezuela, is a professor of literature. Together they capture the flavor and the atmosphere of a country deeply trouble form the years 1988 to 2007. WE get the feeling that the personalities of some of the characters in this novel are based on their own life situations, so real in pulsating drama is their writing.
Part of the pleasure of reading this tightly woven epic is the fact that the authors provides footnotes throughout the book, passages that educate the reader about the realities of Venezuelan culture, food, terminology and most important, the true political events which are woven into the fabric of this novel. They have created a small group of friends - Rodrigo is our main narrator, Manuel, Alfredo and Carmen (Rodrigo's muse and eventual life partner and mother of his child) and Maikel. This disparate group represents the social classes of Venezuela - from the ghetto-type poverty stricken to the slowly disintegrating middle class to the ruling wealthy. And it is through their eyes that we are allowed entry into the paths of change from the varying presidents of the country - Andres Perez, Caldera, through the present president Hugo Chavez. It is a story of social change, economic upheaval, brutality, overthrow and survival.
But for all the atrocities that are committed and the dreams that are damaged in this story the authors still fill the pages with warm, colloquial humor and insight that is part of the young generation's pride. `Three religions coexist in Venezuela: Catholicism, baseball, and beer. The latter worships one god alone, like the Catholic religion, or should I say goddess, La Polar, which dominates 95% of the unsophisticated Venezuelan market.' And in another section of the book the social classes are examined: `The insensitivity of the middle and upper classes toward the domestic help is a sad example of everything that is wrong in Venezuelan society and of how democratic ideals are being eroded. Only when it's too late will our elite wake up from their state of lethargy. And they will have to pay for it'
This is not only fine writing by two sophisticated writers, but this is also a history lesson in the form of a novel. And even more important, the authors have created a small band of friends who become our friends, too. This is an exceptional work that deserves a very wide audience.
Grady Harp
Some readers are skeptical when a novel is listed as having two authors: an two people be so much on the same wave length that they can non-competitively create a story that holds together so well that it seems the work of one person? In the case of HIGH TREASON the answer is emphatically YES! Alberto Ambard is a maxillofacial prosthodontist who was born in Venezuela and grew up there during the events of this book and Amelia Mondragon, born in Spain but grew up in Venezuela, is a professor of literature. Together they capture the flavor and the atmosphere of a country deeply trouble form the years 1988 to 2007. WE get the feeling that the personalities of some of the characters in this novel are based on their own life situations, so real in pulsating drama is their writing.
Part of the pleasure of reading this tightly woven epic is the fact that the authors provides footnotes throughout the book, passages that educate the reader about the realities of Venezuelan culture, food, terminology and most important, the true political events which are woven into the fabric of this novel. They have created a small group of friends - Rodrigo is our main narrator, Manuel, Alfredo and Carmen (Rodrigo's muse and eventual life partner and mother of his child) and Maikel. This disparate group represents the social classes of Venezuela - from the ghetto-type poverty stricken to the slowly disintegrating middle class to the ruling wealthy. And it is through their eyes that we are allowed entry into the paths of change from the varying presidents of the country - Andres Perez, Caldera, through the present president Hugo Chavez. It is a story of social change, economic upheaval, brutality, overthrow and survival.
But for all the atrocities that are committed and the dreams that are damaged in this story the authors still fill the pages with warm, colloquial humor and insight that is part of the young generation's pride. `Three religions coexist in Venezuela: Catholicism, baseball, and beer. The latter worships one god alone, like the Catholic religion, or should I say goddess, La Polar, which dominates 95% of the unsophisticated Venezuelan market.' And in another section of the book the social classes are examined: `The insensitivity of the middle and upper classes toward the domestic help is a sad example of everything that is wrong in Venezuelan society and of how democratic ideals are being eroded. Only when it's too late will our elite wake up from their state of lethargy. And they will have to pay for it'
This is not only fine writing by two sophisticated writers, but this is also a history lesson in the form of a novel. And even more important, the authors have created a small band of friends who become our friends, too. This is an exceptional work that deserves a very wide audience.
Grady Harp
November 15, 2012
This is the story of three friends from different social classes in Venezuela during a time of political upheaval. The writing has a strong sense of immediacy and often felt like someone writing everything down as they went about their day to day life. And yet it all worked and was fascinating. Everything that's needed for a great book is here - a love affair, death, political intrigue, family, survival, humour, man's inhumanity to man, history,friendship, on and on. This is a book I plan to read again.
August 1, 2012
Well, I wrote this, so what can I say: I LOVED IT! If you want additional info, please go here: www.hightreason-novel.com
Hope you like it!
Hope you like it!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews