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shonaholmes's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
really enjoyed this funny, short book. it is full of strong characters, vivid in their community.
nima_nimble's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
پرترۀ بی‌نظیری از تنهایی! شاید علت اینکه آدمای پیاتزا ویتوریو اینقدر غرق در واقعیت‌های خودشون بودن این بود که وقتی از اون ریشه‌ای که بهش وابستگی داشتن بریده شدن؛ ساقه‌هاشون با همون خاطرات سعی کرده زنده بمونه. ایرانی قصه، فیلیپینی قصه، پاکستانی قصه و بقیه‌شون؛ همگی گیر افتادن توی برهه‌ای از زندگی که با پشت سر گذاشتنش می‌تونستن به آدمای بهتری تبدیل بشن ولی ترجیح دادن با خاطرات گذشته و پیش‌داوریهای اون سر کنن. از طرفی این همسایه‌ای که اینقدر مورد علاقه همه است تصمیم گرفت تا با گذشتن از اون درد جدایی به خودش فرصت رشد دوباره بده و همین هم موجب میشه تا به سادگی حال بشه در جامعه مقصد خودش و حتی فراتر از اون بتونه چراغ راه بقیه بشه برای کنار اومدن با رنج مهاجرت.
ای کاش آدمی وطنش را همچون بنفشه‌ها میشد با خودش ببرد هر کجا که خواست!
ای کاش آدمی وطنش را همچون بنفشه‌ها میشد با خودش ببرد هر کجا که خواست!
joecam79's review against another edition
3.0
Lorenzo Manfredini, a thug who goes by the moniker The Gladiator, is found dead in the elevator of an apartment building on Piazza Vittorio in Rome. On the same day, a man called Amedeo goes missing, a fact which, in the police’s books, makes him the prime – if not the obvious suspect. Amara Lakhous’ novel – winner of the prestigious Premio Flaiano when it was first published in Italian in 2006 – consists of transcripts of brief police interviews with people who knew Manfredini and Amedeo, interspersed with diary-like entries by the mysterious, elusive Amedeo himself. The interviews provide an insight into the kaleidoscope of cultures which collides in central Rome. Indeed, the subject of the novel is not primarily the fairly tame whodunnit which propels the narrative forward, but the theme of immigration, race and multiculturalism. We learn of the tribulations of foreign immigrants, but also of the inherent racism of such individuals as the Neapolitan concierge Benedetta, even while she is herself looked down upon by Northerners who have settled in the city. Eventually, we discover that Amedeo – taken for an Italian by most of the “witnesses” – is also an immigrant with a poignant past.
Clash of Civilisations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio is an enjoyable, often humorous, sometimes moving novel, well rendered in Ann Goldstein’s translation. That said, considering the depth of the themes it addresses, I found it rather superficial. The interrogations are not long enough to really allow us to delve into the character of the interviewees, who are often portrayed as something of a caricature – the Romanista bar owner, the Milanese snob, the racist Neapolitan. The solution to the mystery is underwhelming, if not downright silly. However, this bittersweet novel doesn’t outstay its welcome, and provides an authentic (and, for some, possibly surprising) view on contemporary Italy.
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/2022/06/Clash-of-Civilizations-Elevator-Piazza-Vittorio-Amara-Lakhous.html
Clash of Civilisations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio is an enjoyable, often humorous, sometimes moving novel, well rendered in Ann Goldstein’s translation. That said, considering the depth of the themes it addresses, I found it rather superficial. The interrogations are not long enough to really allow us to delve into the character of the interviewees, who are often portrayed as something of a caricature – the Romanista bar owner, the Milanese snob, the racist Neapolitan. The solution to the mystery is underwhelming, if not downright silly. However, this bittersweet novel doesn’t outstay its welcome, and provides an authentic (and, for some, possibly surprising) view on contemporary Italy.
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/2022/06/Clash-of-Civilizations-Elevator-Piazza-Vittorio-Amara-Lakhous.html
acinthedc's review against another edition
A quick, multi-perspective story centered around a murder and the effect of immigration and tolerance or lack thereof in Rome. Satisfying and yet over simplified in some aspects of the characters.
mel_books's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
3.5
As stated in the blurb, this is a »mix of social satire and murder mystery.«. I can imagine that this novel could be even funnier in the original language, Italian. But unfortunately, my knowledge of the Italian language is not good enough.
Lorenzo Manfredini, the Gladiator, was found murdered near the elevator in an apartment building in Piazza Vittorio. Most residents in the building are immigrants from different countries. But we get to know also northern and southern Italians, and we can see some distinctions in their characters. Interestingly, we also learn how some northern Italians see southern Italians. The story constantly develops around a character named Amedeo, a guy from the south with perfect knowledge of the Italian language and the streets of Rome. He often helps immigrants with their issues. Each chapter presents the thoughts of one of the characters, and entries from Amedeo’s diary follow those chapters. Of course, each character sees things and people differently.
Readers who like literary fiction that blends with a comical cozy mystery could like this novel. I would recommend some knowledge about Italian culture and history. Otherwise, prepare Wikipedia to understand some details mentioned in the novel.
Thanks to Europa Editions UK for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Lorenzo Manfredini, the Gladiator, was found murdered near the elevator in an apartment building in Piazza Vittorio. Most residents in the building are immigrants from different countries. But we get to know also northern and southern Italians, and we can see some distinctions in their characters. Interestingly, we also learn how some northern Italians see southern Italians. The story constantly develops around a character named Amedeo, a guy from the south with perfect knowledge of the Italian language and the streets of Rome. He often helps immigrants with their issues. Each chapter presents the thoughts of one of the characters, and entries from Amedeo’s diary follow those chapters. Of course, each character sees things and people differently.
Readers who like literary fiction that blends with a comical cozy mystery could like this novel. I would recommend some knowledge about Italian culture and history. Otherwise, prepare Wikipedia to understand some details mentioned in the novel.
Thanks to Europa Editions UK for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
shahrazede's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
futurama's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
finished in one day
stateofgrace's review against another edition
4.25
Delightful black comedy. The set of characters is so interesting and unique, each with an opinionated narration, while Amedeo / Ahmed's narration in between is like a clear beam of light shining through the cracks.