byalicelee

The Imperfectionists is a near-perfect little gem about the staff of a failing English-language newspaper in Rome. Each chapter is a short story complete unto itself, yet each story helps propel the narrative forward. The world of journalism is one of my favorite settings for books and movies, so it was natural that I would take to this - although it is disconcerting how many of the characters seem to actively hate their jobs. These are wonderful characters: the older, computer-phobic man who tries to bluff his way through a story and annoys his editor by - ugh - faxing it; the woman on the copy desk who is too insignificant even to get fired; the corrections editor who actively enjoys pouncing on writers' mistakes. Rachman's perfectly controlled tone is funny and sad at once, so after we witness the not-so-gentle lampooning of each character, we are laughing at them and crying with them.

2022-10-29 03:38