Reviews

It was an interesting read to see a bunch of people's perspectives on a person and also to get an idea of what a specific time period at a specific location might've been like. Sometimes the characters ramblings would go on for a bit too long for me but that didn't take away from the overall book. I liked it! It was weird and funny. And love the wailing. Auuuu!!!!

frank18's review against another edition

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funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

slxshii12's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

4.5

Amidst the funny testimonies of the buildings residents is the pervasive theme of identity - who are we? what do our identities mean to us? The polyglot community provoke these questions, and larger themes of migration and Italian politics too, all on top of a murder mystery to keep it engaging.

Amedeo is a very interesting character, and his (and the book’s) comments on what truth is or means is also very thought-provoking.

Very funny and short book. The ending was tied up satisfyingly. Although Amedeo is a haunted character there does seem to be an underlying pessimism behind the book’s commentary on memory, which could see other sides to it.

Makes you question stuff. The two-sides perspective that is acknowledged in the conclusion is carried out by Amedeo in his ‘wails’ chapters, and adds a lot to the prior one-sided testimonies.

Potentially could be a 5 and will think about this one lots.