The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman - B

First, some housekeeping.  My office web blocker recently started blocking MY OWN BLOG!  As a result, I am two posts behind and am rectifying that situation RIGHT NOW!

Now, on to The Imperfectionists, a first novel by Tom Rachman.  I understand that Mr. Rachman joined some illustrious company by becoming one of only a handful of authors whose first novels received front-page treatment in the New York Times Book Review. Heady praise to be sure.

The action in The Imperfectionists relates to the lives of different people employed by a fictional Rome-based newspaper.  Each chapter tells a story about someone at the paper—the editor, a financial officer, free lancers, etc.  Interspersed between each such chapter are vignettes describing the inception and history of the paper—how it was conceived, history of its development, etc.  It is this background that ties the novel together.

As the title implies, each character is flawed in some way.  Some of the stories are heart-wrenching.

The novel is exceedingly well written.  Reviews have stated that re-reading the novel will further enlighten readers.  In one small way, I understand this because characters are referred to in early chapters while their stories are later told.  The perception of a character in another’s story will add to one’s perspective when later reading the character’s story.  I’m certain that there are much more “intellectual” nuances that one could glean from re-reading the novel, but too many books and too little time to re-read.

If this is such a well written novel, why a B then?  Here’s why.  I don’t love short story books, and that’s essentially what The Imperfectionists is.  Yes, the stories are tied together, but they are self-contained short stories nonetheless.  The overriding history of the newspaper story was not compelling enough to make me continue to turn pages.  I couldn’t get in to the flow of the book.  The Imperfectionists is definitely a worthwhile read.  I would also add that it is an easy book to put down if you do not enjoy it because each chapter is self contained.

Live long, read and prosper.  We’ll leave the lights on for you.