Michael Palin in Venezuela – Review

Micheal Palin strikes again! Another great book to accompany his fantastic documentary series. Michael Palin in Venezuela follows Palin’s journey through Venezuela as part of his Channel 5 travel series. During his travels, he kept a detailed journal, and this book is the result.

Many people know Palin primarily as an actor and comedian, especially for his work with Monty Python and films like A Fish Called Wanda. Before reading this, I knew very little about what was actually happening in Venezuela, and Palin’s book was an excellent starting point. It provided a clear introduction to the country’s current situation and inspired me to research further.

Palin carefully explores Venezuela’s political turmoil, speaking to locals who share their stories about life under the governments of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. Since reading the book, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize has been announced, María Corina Machado Parisca. She is a Venezuelan politician and activist who has been outspoken in her opposition to both Chávez and Maduro. She was given this award “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy”. This news echoed many of the themes Palin touches on, such as the harsh reality of a country edging towards a police state, rising violence, and the mass exodus of citizens in search of safety and opportunity.

While Venezuela may not be anyone’s idea of an ideal summer holiday destination, Palin vividly captures the country’s beauty, culture, and humanity. His descriptions of vibrant food, dramatic waterfalls, music, dance, and daily life are incredibly atmospheric. I often felt completely transported there.
The edition I own (pictured) is a beautiful hardback filled with photographs taken by Palin and his team.

I was fortunate enough to meet Michael Palin at a book event in Liverpool a few weeks ago, where he kindly signed my copy and chatted with me for a few minutes. He was warm, full of energy, and genuinely curious about people from all walks of life, which in my opinion, are exactly the qualities that make his writing so compelling. Naturally, Palin’s trademark humour shines through and his witty observations and light-hearted quips offer moments of laughter however, this book is clearly aware of the emotional and political complexities of Venezuela.

Michael Palin in Venezuela is a fascinating and thought-provoking read. It encourages readers not only to explore Venezuela’s landscapes but also to understand its history and complex present. Whether you’ve read his books/watched his documentaries before or not, this is truly a journey worth taking.

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