Power's Toxic Embrace Unveiled in Gabriela Cerruti's Unforeseen Novel, "The Poison of Power"
Gabriela Cerruti's back in the game! The award-winning author, known for her notable biographies of Carlos Menem (The Boss) and Mauricio Macri (The Kid), and a recognized journalist from Página/12, who later transitioned into politics, is set to make a comeback to the literary world. This time around, with an unexpected novel entitled The Venom of Power. The book will make its debut at the Book Fair today at 5:30 PM, gracing the Victoria Ocampo Room in the White Pavilion. Ingrid Beck will join the author for the presentation.
The Venom of Power
By Gabriela Cerruti
eBook
$8.99 USD
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Introducing the novel's preface: "The characters in this book are solely a product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real individuals is simply a testament to how closely contemporary reality mirrors fiction." Meet our lead character, Salvador Gómez, who happens to occupy the highest seat of power in Argentina. With messages pouring in from various ladies, he fiddles with his reflection, attempts to neatly iron his suit, and scrunches up his face in thought, all while lounging on his sofa.
One could draw comparisons with the prior president this nation had before Javier Milei: Alberto Fernández. Here's a curious twist: Cerruti, having been a senator and a political leader within Peronism, as well as having served as Alberto Fernández's presidential spokesperson, emphasizes that this is a work of fiction.
Deflecting from reality and escaping the suffocating present, this novel aims to transport the reader to a fictional universe. Below, our site – Cultura – shares excerpts from the book, consisting of the opening pages of the first chapter.
President Salvador Gómez removes his tie, shedding an excess layer, exposing his bare skin. As he gazes upon his reflection, his thin ankles glisten in the park lights. The room, bathed in old-town hotel moistness infused with lavender soap, is reminiscent of a crypt, needing a fresh coat of paint. Between the four walls, General Perón breathed his last, and dictator Galtieri imbibed till dawn. Will anyone ever find true happiness here?
Salvador Gómez carefully bends down, inspecting his aging body, and gingerly picks up the forgotten tie. He uses the delicate object to control, stabilize, and maintain his Politician Avatar. The necktie is his Security Blanket, stifling his nerves while he articulates polished, eloquent sentences to appease the masses.
Haunted by whispers and jeers from unseen voices, Salvador Gómez mumbles, son of the corrupt, deceitful, unfaithful, abusive, swindler, gambler, and ruthless Roque Gómez. May he rest in peace. When he recalls alone moments, he dreams of running, naked, through the park, longing to feel the cool embrace of the night and indulge in love and freedom. But as he lies alone on the stone bench with a book in hand, the reality of his fate sinks in:
-He's not the beloved son of the respected and compassionate Senator Faustino Peralta. No, he's the despised and abandoned son of the adulterous, unloving, heartless, treacherous Roque Gómez. Tonight, within the vast expanse of the Olivos residence, his isolation consumes him as he wanders aimlessly in the park, accompanied by his guard dogs.
Salvador finds solace by locking himself in the winter garden, surrounded by ferns, keyboards, guitars, sound equipment, and dozens of vinyl records. He escapes into the melodies of great orchestras, mesmerizing singers, and hidden talents, covering up the lies that plague his consciousness, and his past. Drowning his sorrows, he pours himself a drink and continues his digital dialogue with the ones who are willing to listen, never truly revealing the depths of his anguish.
Tonight, Thursday, Gabriela Cerruti is set to present "The Venom of Power" at the Book Fair, located in the Victoria Ocampo Room of the White Pavilion, from 5:30 PM onwards. Accompanying her will be the well-known Ingrid Beck.
Are you ready to dive into the world of politics, corruption, and power? Don't miss out on this literary event!
- reminiscent of a crypt, the Victoria Ocampo Room in the White Pavilion, bathed in old-town hotel dampness infused with lavender soap, was the setting where General Perón breathed his last and dictator Galtieri imbibed till dawn.
- The author of the novel, "The Venom of Power", Gabriela Cerruti, was once a senator and a political leader within Peronism, serving as Alberto Fernández's presidential spokesperson.
- Ingrid Beck, a well-known figure, will join Gabriela Cerruti for the presentation of her novel at the Book Fair today at 5:30 PM in the Victoria Ocampo Room.
- The lead character in the novel, Salvador Gómez, occupies the highest seat of power in Argentina, and readers might draw comparisons with the prior president Javier Milei.
- The novel aims to transport the reader to a fictional universe, where Salvador Gómez, the President, grapples with his past and present, seeking solace in music and digital dialogues.
