Reviews

Scontro di civiltà per un ascensore a piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous

muuske's review against another edition

inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

siancf's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

novemberninth's review against another edition

3.0

Clash of Civilization Over an Elevator at Piazza Vittorio is a very interesting novel that touches on diversity, lack of tolerance, and prejudices held by and against different people. Since the novel is originally Italian, I was afraid that some meanings would get lost in translation. Luckily, I didn’t have any problem understanding the story and the translator explained many Italian terms rather well.
What makes this novel interesting and makes it stand out compared to other works that tackle the same theme is its use of multiple points of view. The point of view belongs to a different character in every chapter, and each is labeled as “the truth” according to that character. This way, the readers are not seeing the story from the eyes and analyzing with the mind of only one character. Each character sees the world and the facts in a different light. They create assumptions and opinions around the facts according to how they were brought up, their mindsets, their biases, and their beliefs. Each comes up with a different conclusion and the only thing they agree on (albeit indirectly) is that Amedeo is a good person and cannot be the man behind the murder.
Speaking of the murder, as a reader I was not too interested in that aspect of the story, because seeing the truths and opinions of each cast unravel one by one is more thought-provoking and entertaining to me. I get to understand the thoughts of a character that was previously described in a bad light by another character. I get to dive into the casts’ minds and understand why they are behaving the way they do, even though I don’t necessarily agree with them. Sometimes their thought process frustrates me, but at the same time, I can see how people might think like that in real life. I also find that I agree and relate to certain characters more than others.
The story can easily be related to our daily lives. As an Indonesian citizen, I am surrounded with diversity. Differences in whatever form, be it race, religion, priorities, or beliefs, will inevitably cause disagreements and conflict. Just like in the novel, we are bound to meet people who we just cannot click with, and sometimes we meet people who just do not want to tolerate the differences and think they are always correct and superior. People will inevitably hold stereotypes and prejudices against others. Therefore, people need to have tolerance and understand that everyone is different. If I can take anything from this novel, it is that we should all apply the golden rule but with a few tweaks: treat others the way you want to be treated, but also listen to how they want to be treated, because everyone is different.

duck20's review against another edition

dark funny informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is hardly about the murder mystery (the victim is very unlikeable), and instead much more about the dynamics of a diverse Italian community, immigration and the evils of xenophobia. Lakhous really conveys the beliefs, mannerisms and persona's of each resident in such a few pages, and both the symbol of the elevator and the satire is very well executed, creating an engaging and insightful book. I felt as though some aspects of the ending were slightly challenging to understand, but it is nonetheless an easy read that I would highly recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and Racism

alondonreader's review against another edition

4.0

Don't go into this expecting a murder mystery (as the official description calls it) and you will be rewarded.

Yes there is a murder, but no one in the book really cares about the victim (a thoroughly unpleasant sort) and no one believes it was committed by the accused. Also, no one (including you, the reader) is really interested in whodunit.

What you get instead is a short but poignant novel about identity and belonging, centred around the titular elevator in a building in Rome, and its diverse occupants. The same events, viewed through a kaleidoscope of humanity.

mahdieh_nsr's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective fast-paced

3.0

stacialithub's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting enough, short book. Each chapter is basically a character soliloquy which gives a small glimpse into the life of a 'living-life-on-the-fringe' character (some immigrants, some locals) -- a reflection of life in modern-day, melting pot Rome. It's not so much a murder mystery as a tiny bittersweet glimpse into cultural misunderstandings, homesickness, prejudices, etc.... Lots of stereotypes here, but also plenty traces of truth.

louisaanng's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Loved it! It is extremely refreshing, such a light-hearted light reading book! I am hesitant about giving it 5 stars because of the ending. It feels rushed and left me perplexed with a couple of questions. I will definitely re-read it at some point. Loved it!

patrickkanouse's review against another edition

4.0

An entertaining murder mystery told from multiple view points with some insights into multicultural societies and the inevitable biases, stereotypes, frictions, and triumphs. Also...a very quick read.

moll_reed's review against another edition

funny informative mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75