13/09/2026
Tim was unable to attend our meeting on Thursday but sent in a review from his latest book in his own challenge to read a book from every country in the world - 'Motherland' by Paula Ramon
"This time we’re in Venezuela for an epic memoir by Paula Ramon. It’s a story both of the trials of family relationships and the political history and demise of the country since the 1950s. Paula’s middle class family went from relative comfort to poverty. The book discusses the rise of the populist Hugo Chávez who won an election against what was perceived to be a failing two party system (sounds familiar?).
He then became an authoritarian cult figure who many argue destroyed the country. Paula is a journalist who moved overseas to Brazil but her close family remained in the country. Her father died relatively young but her mother lived on refusing to move from the family home. Her relationship with the daughter, Paula was fractious, and she complained bitterly that her daughter had deserted her.
For anyone who has cared for elderly parents from afar knows this can be difficult but the added complication was food and medicine shortages and trying to provide for her sick mother and smuggle food/supplies into the country. Her brothers (one of them a policeman in the Chavez regime) although closer seem to think it’s the daughter’s job to look after their mum.
It’s a fascinating personal story as well as a deep insight into the history of the country. It’s a hard read towards the end as things get worse and worse, but overall a very good book.
