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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
This book is a treat. It has a simple storyline, perhaps even predictable plots, but it's well written and entertaining. The author has a fine grasp of human nature, and he shows this through a variety of different types of characters. Disparate plotlines slowly begin to merge, and historical incidents slowly lead up to the present while the present is simultaneously marching along on its own. The characters are each interesting; their desires, quirks and interactions make up everything that is beautiful about this book. Rachman treats each character with a humanity and an affection that allows you to forgive their foibles, overlook their weirdnesses and hope that they manage to find some type of elegant balance. If you're looking for a light but enjoyable read, check this book out.
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the chapters showing a different employee at the paper's point of view. I didn't like the way it felt like short stories. I felt as though I was missing the ending of each person's life. Overall, it was a good read.
This is a series of linked short stories told from the perspectives of people related in some way to a Rome-based English language newspaper. Interspersed with the stories are shorter sections outlining the history of the newspaper.
I generally liked the stories. The characters were mean, nasty, depressed, spineless, pathetic, and certainly the imperfectionists of the title. By the end the stories lost momentum, though, and I wish I'd just skipped the third to last and the final story. The sections on the newspaper's history were just dull.
I generally liked the stories. The characters were mean, nasty, depressed, spineless, pathetic, and certainly the imperfectionists of the title. By the end the stories lost momentum, though, and I wish I'd just skipped the third to last and the final story. The sections on the newspaper's history were just dull.
Disjointed and dull, inspires no confidence in humanity. Not a single happy moment in this entire novel.
What a great book! I was iffy about this one because...well I have a confession to make: I hate newspapers. Even though many members of my family have worked for them for years and my very own husband is a journalism major, I just can't stand the format. This is not to say I don't respect quality journalism, but I have no nostalgia for "the old ways" when it comes to this branch of media. I am one of those people who reads articles about the death of print journalism and thinks, "good riddance!"
Regardless Rachman has created a wonderful set of stories here. It's a little tough to get into at first because there is so much sorrow in these stories and the character are not exactly likable. But there is something so authentic about each person. And Rachman is a great storyteller. I found myself drawn into every single tale. Short story collections sometimes leave me cold because the stories are are too short and leave me wanting more or they ramble on too long and cave in on themselves.
These are perfect. They moved me. I felt sorry, I felt annoyed, I saw myself and people I have known. I gasped and laughed, and even got a tiny bit teary at the end. Could it be? Did Rachman actually make me shed a tear for old dusty newsprint?
Highly recommended. Rachman's writing is incredibly clever and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Also if your edition has the interview with Rachman by Malcom Gladwell at the end, take the time to read it - it's excellent.
Regardless Rachman has created a wonderful set of stories here. It's a little tough to get into at first because there is so much sorrow in these stories and the character are not exactly likable. But there is something so authentic about each person. And Rachman is a great storyteller. I found myself drawn into every single tale. Short story collections sometimes leave me cold because the stories are are too short and leave me wanting more or they ramble on too long and cave in on themselves.
These are perfect. They moved me. I felt sorry, I felt annoyed, I saw myself and people I have known. I gasped and laughed, and even got a tiny bit teary at the end. Could it be? Did Rachman actually make me shed a tear for old dusty newsprint?
Highly recommended. Rachman's writing is incredibly clever and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Also if your edition has the interview with Rachman by Malcom Gladwell at the end, take the time to read it - it's excellent.
Rachman's book reads like a collection of short story character explorations. The main character is the newspaper that ties all of the other characters together. The book has a brilliant and unique structure. Each chapter takes place in a contemporary setting, but it is followed by the consecutive history of the newspaper and its publishing family from 1950-2007.
The reader is a voyeur into the often depressing lives of the journalists, and editors and the imminent death of the newspaper. Reading The Imperfectionists can feel a little like slowing for a highway accident to catch a glimpse of the carnage.
The reader is a voyeur into the often depressing lives of the journalists, and editors and the imminent death of the newspaper. Reading The Imperfectionists can feel a little like slowing for a highway accident to catch a glimpse of the carnage.
Here's an essay mentioning The Imperfectionists.
http://www.themillions.com/2014/01/beethoven-got-there-first.html
http://www.themillions.com/2014/01/beethoven-got-there-first.html
Each chapter is about a different journalist working in the Rome office of an English language newspaper and because of this it was hard to connect to anyone one character - by the time we got to know them, the chapter and their story was over and we were on to the next. Each portrait on its own and how their stories come together was well done though.