Chronicles of a Nomad

Chronicles of a Nomad: Memoirs of an Immigrant is a 2009 novel by Venezuelan author A. A. Alvarez that covers topics on education, family, culture, religion, politics, and immigration. Independent book critics such as MultiCultural Review Magazine, Midwest Book Review, TeensReadToo, and ReviewYourBook called it Captivating, Witty and Wise, Inspirational, and one that Should be Mandatory Reading respectively. A. A. Alvarez writing style has been described as humorous, brutally honest, and touching.
Overview by Vladimir F. Wertsman of New York Public Library
Chronicles of a Nomad: Memoirs of an Immigrant represents an auspicious start for a young Venezuelan debutant in fiction. Written in the first person in short diary-style chapters, this interesting novel is based mostly on the author's and other immigrants' experiences during his peregrinations from Caracas, Venezuela, to Denver, Colorado, and Athens, Greece. It is also a three-decade journey of self-discovery focusing on love and marriage, family life, religion, politics, culture, immigration, education, job finding issues, and an unanswered quo vadis at the end.
The book's captivating narration, interwoven with numerous quotations from famous people, reflects honesty; keen observations; warm feelings for the underprivileged; dedication to the fight for justice; an awareness of the positive and negative aspects of Venezuela, the United States, and Greece; and the author's fine sense of humor. Even though, in his words, it is obvious that Hispanics are not exactly the icing of the cake in America, the author nevertheless confesses his love for my dear United States after he left it. This is probably why this book was first published in English, to be followed by a Spanish language text much later. The volume is recommended for teenagers and adults alike, and, of course, as a suitable item for ethnic studies programs.
Article published by MultiCultural Review Magazine (Vol.18, #2 Summer 2009)
Plot
This first-person adventure is narrated by Carlos Rodriguez, an intrepid young immigrant who embarked in a journey of self-discovery and reflection by confiding his secrets to the reader. Although he spends his childhood in abundance, at age fifteen, the worsening state of his troubled nation leads him to Denver, Colorado, where he ends up overstaying the time allowed on his tourist visa. Not many years later, he is left with no choice but to immigrate to Greece, where the ghosts of his past challenge his future and where his search for home leads him farther away from his hometown, Caracas, Venezuela.
The eventful story takes the reader on an exciting roller-coaster ride through three very different countries and a multitude of obstacles that are often serious and humorous at the same time, challenging the common misconceptions about today's new wave of immigrants. The plot highlights the reasons why well-established citizens in the Americas also leave the south in favor of the north and addresses why in recent years many have immigrated to other continents instead. By portraying what happens behind the scenes, the chronicles provide an insider’s perspective about the way plenty of today’s young immigrants live their lives and why their generation could best be described as The Immigrant Generation.
Fiction or Fact
The question has been raised in multiple occasions during interviews and public events and although many of the author's own experiences are reflected in the story, his novel states that it is a work of fiction inspired by the stories of the many immigrants with whom he has crossed paths.
Spanish Edition
The official release date of Crónicas de un Nómada: Memorias de un Inmigrante, the Spanish version of his book, is October 15, 2009.
Although the author's first language is Spanish, one of the main topics in Chronicles of a Nomad: Memoirs of an Immigrant is the vital importance of embracing multiculturalism if we wish to live in a world without borders, without prejudice, without limits. By writing his original novel in English, A. A. Alvarez aims to support the premise of his book.
About the Author
A. A. Alvarez was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and left his country after witnessing several revolts, a major economic disaster, and two coup attempts. He currently resides in Athens, Greece, and although he preferred to write and publish his first work in English, his native language is Spanish. In a radio interview for conducted by Dr. Ricardo Montiel of KYS FM 101.5 Caracas, Alvarez announced for the first time his work on Crónicas de un Nómada: Memorias de un Inmigrante, the Spanish edition of his book.
BISAC Heading Suggestions (for libraries)
*JUV039250: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Emigration & Immigration
*JUV030040: JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Caribbean & Latin America
*JUV035000: JUVENILE FICTION / School & Education
*SOC007000: SOCIAL SCIENCE / Emigration & Immigration
*FIC041000: FICTION / Biographical
*FIC045000: FICTION / Family Life
Table of Contents
Prologue
Rules Of Engagement
-I- Natural Selection
Inherited Traits
Step By Step
-II- Indigo Child
I’m Blue, So Blue
Preschool
When I Grow Up
Drunks Have Soft Balls
Primary School
Maximum Security
Crossing Over
-III- Low School
Ready For Private School?
Catholic School . . . Consolation Prize Or Punishment?
Definitely Punishment
System Buster
Ignorance Is Bliss?
-IV- Venezuela: A Latin American Country
Whirlpool Nation
Coup D’état
The House Wins!
Almighty
-V- Sweet & Sour Teens
Carlos The Menace
Selling Crack . . . Of The Fire Type
Close Encounters Of The Bullet Kind
Cursed . . . Or Charmed?
-VI- The American Dream
The Ring
The Slaughterhouse
The Contract
Redemption
USA, The Land Of The Free . . . Refills!
-VII- High School
Time Is On Our Side
Fresh Start
Highs & Lows
Victoria’s Wedding Invitation
The Smiths
Déjà Vu?
-VIII- Moving Up
Paths To Citizenship
Labor & College
Special Import
-IX- End Of Days
9/11
The Departure
-X- Intermission
There & Back Again
Rodríguez Vs. Papadopoulos
-XI- It’s All Greek To Me
When In Greece, Do As The Greeks Do
The Original Plan
My Tiny Little Greek Wedding
Holidays
-XII- Unadaptable
Shadow Of The Past
Catch-22
Victoria’s Turn
Flipping The Switch
10 Years . . . And Then We’ll See.
Back To Never Never Land
-XIII- A New Hope
New Horizons
The Right Place at the Right Time

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu