Writing and the Revolution: Venezuelan Metafiction 2004-2012

This book explores the enduring importance of the national in contemporary Venezuelan fiction, arguing that novels respond to nationalist and populist cultural policies and Venezuela's literary isolation. It provides a close reading of eight novels published between 2004 and 2012, exploring how they reflect on writing, appearance from real-life writers, experiments with style and popular culture, and questioning the boundaries between fiction and reality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

This book offers a fresh perspective on contemporary Venezuelan fiction by challenging the notion of a 'global Latin American novel'. Instead, it emphasizes the enduring significance of the national in the country's literary landscape. The novels analyzed in this book respond to both the nationalist and populist cultural policies of the Bolivarian Revolution, as well as Venezuela's literary isolation, which is largely due to factors such as the legacy of the Boom and historically low levels of emigration.

The book is grounded in theories of metafiction and intertextuality, providing a close reading of eight novels published between 2004 (the year in which the first Minister for Culture was appointed) and 2012 (the last full year of President Chávez's life). Each chapter explores a different aspect of how these novels reflect on writing, from the protagonists' roles as readers and writers in various contexts to their interactions with real-life writers, experiments with style and popular culture, and the boundaries between fiction and reality.

By offering a literary analysis that complements broader studies of the Bolivarian Revolution, this book provides valuable insight into how Bolivarian policies and practices affect individuals on an emotional, creative, and political level. Self-reflexive narratives, in particular, allow writers to exercise political agency and engage with the socio-political realities of their country.

In conclusion, this book offers a compelling exploration of contemporary Venezuelan fiction, highlighting the importance of the national and the role of literature in shaping the country's cultural and political landscape. It provides a valuable contribution to the study of Latin American literature and offers insights into the complex dynamics of power, identity, and creativity in the region.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800854918