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v2036: A Venezuelan Chronicle
v2036: A Venezuelan Chronicle, is a political thriller where presidential elections, military uprisings, international conflicts and social unrest put the Bolivarian Republic under the magnifying glass. Driven by iconic characters that push the boundaries of fiction, v2036 reopens many of the wounds Venezuela has sustained in its rocky path to 21st Century Socialism.
Following the lives of three resolute men that represent the country's warring factions, the story boldly illustrates that leading the people of such a volatile Latin American nation is well beyond the job description of any single man. A military ruler, an opposition activist and an expatriated citizen will play the famous (and infamous) roles that will lead the once proud nation to a brighter future . . . or to its final demise.
Taking historical events as a starting point, v2036 pushes the boundaries of fiction with delightful characters in pivotal roles that will alter not just the way that these events enfolded, but the influence they had in the current sociopolitical climate of the controversial Bolivarian Republic. As the timeline advances, the story flows through the Venezuela that was to the one that is, and to the one that it might become in the not so distant future; always highlighting the rivalry that divides the most influential sectors of today's Venezuelan society.
Following the lives of three resolute men that represent the country's warring factions, the story boldly illustrates that leading the people of such a volatile Latin American nation is well beyond the job description of any single man. A military ruler, an opposition activist and an expatriated citizen will play the famous (and infamous) roles that will lead the once proud nation to a brighter future . . . or to its final demise.
Taking historical events as a starting point, v2036 pushes the boundaries of fiction with delightful characters in pivotal roles that will alter not just the way that these events enfolded, but the influence they had in the current sociopolitical climate of the controversial Bolivarian Republic. As the timeline advances, the story flows through the Venezuela that was to the one that is, and to the one that it might become in the not so distant future; always highlighting the rivalry that divides the most influential sectors of today's Venezuelan society.
242 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2010
4 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Alex Alberto Alvarez
3 books7 followersA lifelong learner and impassioned seeker of human potential, Alex Alvarez has journeyed through a multicultural life, establishing strong bonds across borders that inspired his first works, "Chronicles of a Nomad: Memoirs of an Immigrant" (2009) and "v2036: A Venezuelan Chronicle" (2010).
Nevertheless, he found his most fulfilling experience in becoming a father.
A spirited individual radiating an unquenchable zest for life, Alvarez is a steadfast believer in the transformative power of resilience, gratitude, and familial connections. Faced with a cancer diagnosis (2023), he made the poignant decision to craft a lasting legacy for his young daughter—a new book brimming with life lessons, paternal insights, and overall, unconditional love.
Thus, his seminal work, "Dad’s Wisdom: A Blueprint for Life," is more than just a guide; it’s a compendium of actionable advice and heartfelt storytelling aimed not only at providing inspiration for his daughter but also at sparking a generational shift towards purposeful and meaningful living.
Born in Venezuela, he grew up in Caracas and became an expat in his teens after witnessing a period of heightened social unrest, a major economic disaster, and two military uprisings.
Alvarez first hit the literary scene with "Chronicles of a Nomad: Memoirs of an Immigrant" (2009)—an adventure where readers follow an intrepid young migrant as he grows up to realise that home isn't the place where we're born, but a place in our hearts.
Six months later, he followed up with the Spanish version titled, "Crónicas de un Nómada: Memorias de un Inmigrante" (2009), and a year later with "v2036: A Venezuelan Chronicle" (2010)—a political thriller where Carlos Rodríguez (the "nomad" from his first novel), becomes entangled in the aftermath of his country's failed socialist experiment.
Starting from historical events, v2036 pushes the boundaries of fiction with three-dimensional characters in pivotal roles that alter not just the way that these events enfolded, but the influence they had in the current socio-political climate of the controversial Bolivarian Republic. As the story progresses, readers witness the transition from the Venezuela that was to the one that is, and to the one that it might become in the not-so-distant future.
"Chronicles of a Nomad: Memoirs of an Immigrant" serves as a prequel to "v2036" and provides an insider's perspective to a migrant experience that the media doesn't cover. It highlights the reasons that entice many of today's young Latin Americans, even those born wealthy, to try their luck across the world.
Independent book critics such as the New York Public Library, Multicultural Review Magazine, Midwest Book Review, and others called his novel "captivating," "witty and wise," "inspirational," and one that "should be mandatory reading," with his writing style being described as humorous, brutally honest, and touching.
In a 2010 interview conducted by Elena del Valle for Hispanic MPR, Alvarez shared:
"When I decided to write the Chronicles, I imagined a readership comprising young migrants wishing for a book that reflected an experience that was relevant to them. Leaving one's country, one's culture, and one's language behind is an experience that only migrants can fully understand, and it's not one that is covered in any way by the standard school curriculum. Every migrant has a story worth printing, and if I could inspire young expats to put pen to paper and share their stories as well, I'd consider my goal achieved."
Nevertheless, he found his most fulfilling experience in becoming a father.
A spirited individual radiating an unquenchable zest for life, Alvarez is a steadfast believer in the transformative power of resilience, gratitude, and familial connections. Faced with a cancer diagnosis (2023), he made the poignant decision to craft a lasting legacy for his young daughter—a new book brimming with life lessons, paternal insights, and overall, unconditional love.
Thus, his seminal work, "Dad’s Wisdom: A Blueprint for Life," is more than just a guide; it’s a compendium of actionable advice and heartfelt storytelling aimed not only at providing inspiration for his daughter but also at sparking a generational shift towards purposeful and meaningful living.
Born in Venezuela, he grew up in Caracas and became an expat in his teens after witnessing a period of heightened social unrest, a major economic disaster, and two military uprisings.
Alvarez first hit the literary scene with "Chronicles of a Nomad: Memoirs of an Immigrant" (2009)—an adventure where readers follow an intrepid young migrant as he grows up to realise that home isn't the place where we're born, but a place in our hearts.
Six months later, he followed up with the Spanish version titled, "Crónicas de un Nómada: Memorias de un Inmigrante" (2009), and a year later with "v2036: A Venezuelan Chronicle" (2010)—a political thriller where Carlos Rodríguez (the "nomad" from his first novel), becomes entangled in the aftermath of his country's failed socialist experiment.
Starting from historical events, v2036 pushes the boundaries of fiction with three-dimensional characters in pivotal roles that alter not just the way that these events enfolded, but the influence they had in the current socio-political climate of the controversial Bolivarian Republic. As the story progresses, readers witness the transition from the Venezuela that was to the one that is, and to the one that it might become in the not-so-distant future.
"Chronicles of a Nomad: Memoirs of an Immigrant" serves as a prequel to "v2036" and provides an insider's perspective to a migrant experience that the media doesn't cover. It highlights the reasons that entice many of today's young Latin Americans, even those born wealthy, to try their luck across the world.
Independent book critics such as the New York Public Library, Multicultural Review Magazine, Midwest Book Review, and others called his novel "captivating," "witty and wise," "inspirational," and one that "should be mandatory reading," with his writing style being described as humorous, brutally honest, and touching.
In a 2010 interview conducted by Elena del Valle for Hispanic MPR, Alvarez shared:
"When I decided to write the Chronicles, I imagined a readership comprising young migrants wishing for a book that reflected an experience that was relevant to them. Leaving one's country, one's culture, and one's language behind is an experience that only migrants can fully understand, and it's not one that is covered in any way by the standard school curriculum. Every migrant has a story worth printing, and if I could inspire young expats to put pen to paper and share their stories as well, I'd consider my goal achieved."
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 11, 2010
A Clever Perspective
V2036 is a fast-paced political thriller that lives up to the reputation of Venezuelan soap operas. If you’re curious about the type of challenges this country might be facing in the upcoming years, then read on.
Everybody is quick to label the Bolivarian Revolution as a total success or a complete failure, not realizing that the situation down there is just too complicated to call it either way. It’s not just about capitalism vs socialism, or democracy vs dictatorship, or the rich vs the poor, but about of all of that and everything else in between.
The complexity of the country’s current state of affairs is well beyond the scope of any book, so we might as well consider it fiction because in reality, what’s happening today is simply unbelievable. Alvarez tackles the subject in a very entertaining fashion and seems to be right on point with where the country is headed.
The main theme here is the fight for the presidency, and the characters, although fictional, are very much alive. There’s a good amount of subplots that keep things interesting and there are also a few graphic accounts of some of the darkest days in Venezuela’s modern history.
V2036 is an exciting new way to show the world the types of headlines Venezuelans are now used to reading after twenty years of recession, political imbalance and social unrest.
V2036 is a fast-paced political thriller that lives up to the reputation of Venezuelan soap operas. If you’re curious about the type of challenges this country might be facing in the upcoming years, then read on.
Everybody is quick to label the Bolivarian Revolution as a total success or a complete failure, not realizing that the situation down there is just too complicated to call it either way. It’s not just about capitalism vs socialism, or democracy vs dictatorship, or the rich vs the poor, but about of all of that and everything else in between.
The complexity of the country’s current state of affairs is well beyond the scope of any book, so we might as well consider it fiction because in reality, what’s happening today is simply unbelievable. Alvarez tackles the subject in a very entertaining fashion and seems to be right on point with where the country is headed.
The main theme here is the fight for the presidency, and the characters, although fictional, are very much alive. There’s a good amount of subplots that keep things interesting and there are also a few graphic accounts of some of the darkest days in Venezuela’s modern history.
V2036 is an exciting new way to show the world the types of headlines Venezuelans are now used to reading after twenty years of recession, political imbalance and social unrest.
Displaying 1 of 1 review