Tom Rachman was making major headlines when his book “The Imperfectionists” first blew up the New York Times Book review. People were all, “Can it be that good?” and I was really sceptical, because during the CBC interview he put on a fake British accent. What a wanky ex-Vancouverite thing to do! But now I know he deserves to be a wank because he wrote this sickeningly well-crafted novel.
Chronicling the birth and death of a newspaper in Rome, the prose drifts through the lives of reporters and editors who lead pathetic lives in the name of true journalism. Gorgeously easy writing, super-freaky sad characters, and a novelist who both loves and despises the newspaper business– The Imperfectionists was disgustingly perfect.