Vince F. reviewed on + 5 more book reviews
"The Imperfectionists" takes the form of a series of intersecting short stories, each focusing on a character that is somehow connected to an English-language newspaper based in Rome. Between each of these stories is a small vignette that outlines the history of the paper.
It's clear that Rachman wishes the paper to stand as the central character in his novel, and in many ways he succeeds. As the novel wears on, however, the tales of the paper's employees and readers begin to veer toward the melodramatic. The overarching story of the paper starts to fade in favor of soap operas laced with black humor that focus on failed love affairs or sexual revenge.
The real meat of "The Imperfectionists" is told between the main chapters of the book. These vignettes (most no longer than a page or two) chronicle the history of the papers from its inception in 1953 to its ultimate demise in 2007. Therein lies a story that deserves its own full-blown novel.
Rachman is a gifted writer and I am eager to see what comes from him in the future. Even for its faults, "The Imperfectionists" is a well-crafted, intelligent, and engaging read
It's clear that Rachman wishes the paper to stand as the central character in his novel, and in many ways he succeeds. As the novel wears on, however, the tales of the paper's employees and readers begin to veer toward the melodramatic. The overarching story of the paper starts to fade in favor of soap operas laced with black humor that focus on failed love affairs or sexual revenge.
The real meat of "The Imperfectionists" is told between the main chapters of the book. These vignettes (most no longer than a page or two) chronicle the history of the papers from its inception in 1953 to its ultimate demise in 2007. Therein lies a story that deserves its own full-blown novel.
Rachman is a gifted writer and I am eager to see what comes from him in the future. Even for its faults, "The Imperfectionists" is a well-crafted, intelligent, and engaging read
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