? Italian author Vincenzo Latronico’s 2022 novel Perfection depicts an existence far from perfect. Translated from Italian by Sophie Hughes, the story follows a young couple as they navigate life as expats in Berlin, attempting to resist life’s inherent dreariness through a picture-perfect lifestyle and modern notions of happiness. Latronico presents a nihilistic take on contemporary life, the narration lending itself to a sardonic portrayal of the characters and in turn the generation they belong to.

Anna and Tom are ambitious, talented freelance digital creatives who, in the early 2010s, move to the bustling city of Berlin from a small city in Southern Europe, which they felt limited their ceiling of possibility. Their shared passion for the field drives them to dream big together, always on the lookout for better career prospects. Berlin offers them just that — creatively, they thrive taking on higher skilled work and socially, they connect with other expats who are just as restless and inspired as they are. Their circle of friends is artistic and experimental, drifting between gallery visits and late night parties. Although they dabble in political and social movements, they remain cocooned in a bubble of youthful idealism and privileged illusion.

The trap of modern living. They come of age alongside the rise of digital savvy culture, social media, and the online world. It’s how they stay up to date, broaden their horizons, and most importantly, how they develop the compulsion to conform to a vacuous, hyper-aestheticized lifestyle. Invariably, they find little fulfillment in this way of living and often find themselves questioning the purpose behind most of the actions they take. They romanticize Berlin to a fault, getting overly attached and burdening it with their future hopes and ambitions. Ultimately, they discover that perfection is unreachable.

Tell, don’t show. The main characters are referred to as Anna and Tom more often than as just Anna or Tom. Their thoughts are frequently one and the same, emphasizing their closeness but also their lack of individuality. While Anna and Tom’s thoughts are laid out for us, the book maintains an observational, outsider perspective that frames them as spectacles of modern living. We see Anna and Tom through a subtly sardonic lens as the narrator observes them with a detached criticism.

Perfection reveals an undeniable truth about the world we live in now. It offers contemporary references and an immersive look into the lives of a very relatable couple. Reading it as a modern citizen, it’s hard to look away from the mirror it holds up to our lives. If you’re looking for a light read with heavy meanings, Perfection fits the bill.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can buy the paperback at Diwan and Bibliothek or get the eBook on Amazon and Kobo.

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