Bonnie G.’s review of Perfection > Likes and Comments

We align on this one Bonnie—I also gave it three stars. I also felt like the themes were old and not thoughtful enough. And I also thought the prose was nice.

I agree, Bonnie: Where is the meat on this bone? It's the expat-Instagram-nostalgia cliche of lives not lived, but still documented. And while the text seems to think it's very profund, it's actually not.

Derek wrote: "We align on this one Bonnie—I also gave it three stars. I also felt like the themes were old and not thoughtful enough. And I also thought the prose was nice."

I just left a lengthy comment on your review before I saw this, which basically says what you said. I am surprised this is getting so much buzz.

Meike wrote: "I agree, Bonnie: Where is the meat on this bone? It's the expat-Instagram-nostalgia cliche of lives not lived, but still documented. And while the text seems to think it's very profund, it's actual..."

Lol, yes Meike. The text does have an air of self-importance. I did think that maybe it was intentional and reflected the mood of young expat communities who often see themselves as the vanguard (or at least that was true of me and my friends when I was a young expat.)

I didn't love this, but I did like the standoffish tone taken by the narrator. It was like a concession that he's not going to help you get to know these characters, because they aren't worth getting to know.

I'm tempted to come across all high and mighty and say, scoffingly, "Well, of course, because you read it in English. Had you read it in the original...." but you'd know I was faking it, since I know maybe five words of Italian.

Left Coast Justin wrote: "I didn't love this, but I did like the standoffish tone taken by the narrator. It was like a concession that he's not going to help you get to know these characters, because they aren't worth getti..."

LOL, I would not have called you on your unfounded snobbery. I accept my limitations and assume everyone is more accomplished than I other than in a couple of areas -- neither of which includes speaking languge than English.

You make a good point on tone. I think the author is a good storyteller, and that tracks with the tonal choice you suggest. I just didn't find these characters at all interesting, and I don't think Latronico thought they were interesting, so why was I reading about them? I mentioned in a comment somewhere on someone's review that this made me nostalgic for The Sun Also Rises. Those expats were all vile and self-important, but they were interesting too.

Oh well. I thought something was captured in there; maybe it's been captured a thousand times elsewhere already, but it's the first time I stumbled upon a novel that focused on the lifestyle so intently, myself. Period pieces typically reach so much further back. Here's hoping your next read is a winner, Bonnie.

Charles wrote: "Oh well. I thought something was captured in there; maybe it's been captured a thousand times elsewhere already, but it's the first time I stumbled upon a novel that focused on the lifestyle so int..."

I am glad you found something. I really did love the prose, and I love it when good writers find an audience. I don't think he did a bad job telling the tale. I ti just that these people were not of interest to me, I already know people very much like them, and learned nothing that illuminated my understanding of the choice to convince oneself that living performatively is a good idea. -- but that is just me.