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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
This is a jigsaw puzzle/Rubik's cube of a book with interspersed stories about staffers of a niche newspaper that - more often than not- end with a gutpunch.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Terrible ending. Pain in the ass to read, in general. Too many characters, all of them upset. Bullshit.
Interesting, well-written newspaper novel written from multiple perspectives.
The fact that Tom Rachman chooses a newspaper as the subject of his first novel already wins him points with me. I grew up on those '40s newspaper movies with fast-talking, hotshot reporters trading barbs and trying to scoop each other. Rachman gives you all of that pacing, and some touching character studies. Each chapter is a self-contained story, focusing on one character (although you'll see other characters pass in and out, of course). Some readers will be frustrated, since Rachman draws out the sympathetic side of almost every character and it's easy to get attached, only to have to leave the character behind in the next chapter. Because he's treated each chapter as a stand-alone, though, it allows him to show off his endgame. He has a Maupassant-like skill with ironic finishes and cringe-worthy, last-minute reversals. I found the overarching story disappointingly predictable, but overall the book was very good and I look forward to reading his next.
Eh. This was ok. Nothing stellar. Rachman can create richly detailed characters, & this book seemed to be only a vehicle for his talent at that. The story about the newspaper seemed secondary, and thus I never felt compelled to keep reading...there was no real story...just well-crafted crafted characters. But even those didn't make me want to finish it. I returned it, sans guilt, with 30 pages left.
If the movie "Paris je T'aime" was based on a book, it would be very similar to "The Imperfectionists." As" Paris" is one of my favorite movies, this is the greatest praise I can give for this book.
Each chapter is written from the perspective of a different staff member of a foreign newspaper based in Rome. Many characters weave in and out of each story, but each chapter focuses on a day, week, or year in the life of a different person at the paper.
Not every chapter was written in the same format, meaning some of them were told in first person, others in third. Some of the chapters contained dialogue between the characters, while others only showed the words that the chapter's protagonist said, and not the reciprocated dialogue. I found this difference to be very interesting and pertinent to understanding each character's psyche.
Every character in the story is beautifully flawed. A few of them are able to achieve greatness in their lifetimes, while most just struggle to keep their heads above water from day to day.
The only reason I can't give the book five stars is because I felt very let down and frustrated at the culmination of the book. The ending was quiite abrupt; I would have liked to have had some more information about all the characters and if they ever interacted with one another again.
Aside from the ending, I really enjoyed the glimpse I got into each of these character's lives.
Each chapter is written from the perspective of a different staff member of a foreign newspaper based in Rome. Many characters weave in and out of each story, but each chapter focuses on a day, week, or year in the life of a different person at the paper.
Not every chapter was written in the same format, meaning some of them were told in first person, others in third. Some of the chapters contained dialogue between the characters, while others only showed the words that the chapter's protagonist said, and not the reciprocated dialogue. I found this difference to be very interesting and pertinent to understanding each character's psyche.
Every character in the story is beautifully flawed. A few of them are able to achieve greatness in their lifetimes, while most just struggle to keep their heads above water from day to day.
The only reason I can't give the book five stars is because I felt very let down and frustrated at the culmination of the book. The ending was quiite abrupt; I would have liked to have had some more information about all the characters and if they ever interacted with one another again.
Aside from the ending, I really enjoyed the glimpse I got into each of these character's lives.
It was okay. Not sure why the cover quotes said it was "beguiling" and "spectacular." The vignettes were engaging, but hardly transformative. There were, however, memorable and funny quotes throughout the book, which made the read enjoyable.
Started off good, but this book never got very deep. His portrayals of women were pretty cliche.
I liked some of the stories... But overall I got bored with the book. Some of the characters annoyed me so much that I skipped their chapters. I couldn't see this as a cohesive story and it's not one I would recommend.