“The Imperfectionists”

Tom Rachman’s debut novel, “The Imperfectionists,” is far from imperfect—critics are nearly unanimous in their praise. Set in Rome, its plot involves a cast of characters working at an English-language newspaper that is rapidly losing readership. The plot is complex; we are kept on our toes by a multitude of perspectives. Says the Washington Post, “This episodic structure could easily turn dreary and repetitive if Rachman weren’t always finding new ways to surprise us.” Rachman has worked as a journalist, and his knowledge infuses the novel. Christopher Buckley, writing for the New York Times, says, “This first novel by Tom Rachman, a London-born journalist who has lived and worked all over the world, is so good I had to read it twice simply to figure out how he pulled it off.”