The Imperfectionists
by Rachman, Tom
Tom Rachman was born in London and raised in Vancouver. A graduate of the University of Toronto and the Columbia School of Journalism, he has been a foreign correspondent for the Associated Press, stationed in Rome. From 2006 to 2008, he worked as an editor at the International Herald Tribune in Paris. He lives in Rome.
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On Nov 11, 2014, CloggieDownunder said
“What I really fear is time. That’s the devil: whipping us on when we’d rather loll, so the present sprints by, impossible to grasp, and all is suddenly past, a past that won’t hold still, that slides into these inauthentic tales. My past – it doesn’t feel real in the slightest. The person who inhabited it is not me. It’s as if the present me is constantly dissolving.” The Imperfectionists is the first novel by British-born journalist and author, Tom Rachman. Set in late 2006 and early 2007, each of eleven chapters is like a vignette of the lives of particular characters who are, in some way, associated with the Rome-based International English-Language newspaper that was founded in 1953 by successful Atlanta businessman, Cyrus Ott. The alternate chapters detail significant events in the newspaper’s history. While the main plot is straightforward: the creation and eventual demise of the publication; there is a myriad of sub-plots involving the various characters, so that each of those chapters is almost a short story itself, involving some characters from the other chapters. This is reminiscent of Rohinton Mistry’s Swimming Lessons (Tales from Firosha Baag). Rachman gives the reader a cast of quirky characters: a mild-mannered obituary writer whose superior shows such a lack of compassion at his personal tragedy that it elicits a vengeful response; a business editor who finds herself forsaking friends, family and her own values so as not to be single; a young stringer stranded in Cairo with no idea of how to report; a corrections editor who finally learns the truth about an idolised friend; a dying writer resigned to her fate; a jaded Paris correspondent reaching desperation point; a reluctant young heir whose closest relationship is with his basset hound; a faithful reader who lives in the past, avoiding a certain fateful day; a publisher who founds a paper for the sake of unrequited love; a dreary news editor who forces his own worst fear to eventuate; an editor-in-chief who looks for a lover and finds a much-needed friend; a copy editor who feels excluded, persecuted and on the brink of redundancy; and a financial officer whose unwise decision sees her humiliated. Rachman involves his characters in the petty politics, conflicts and occasional charitable acts that make up a busy workplace and comprise everyday life. He gives them words of wisdom: “We enjoy this illusion of continuity and we call it memory. Which explains, perhaps, why our worst fear isn’t the end of life, but the end of memories” and ‘Nothing in all civilisation has been as productive as ludicrous ambition. Whatever its ills, nothing has created more. Cathedrals, sonatas, encyclopedias: love of God was not behind them, nor love of life. But the love of man to be worshipped by man.” He gives them throw away lines: “Journalism is a bunch of dorks pretending to be alpha males” and “I suspect that revenge is one of those things that’s better in principle than in practice…there’s no real satisfaction in making someone else suffer because you have” This novel is often funny, sometimes sad, and the reader will be moved to reflect on the ultimate fate of print newspapers in today’s world. A brilliant debut. 4.5★s
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The Imperfectionists
by Rachman, Tom
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine in Fine dust jacket
- Edition
- First Edition; Fourth Printing
- Published
- 2010
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- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780385343664
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New York: The Dial Press. Near Fine in Fine dust jacket. 2010. First Edition; Fourth Printing. Hardcover. 0385343663 . An attractive later printing of first edition in Near Fine condition, head band cut a little too large, in Fine dust-jacket; Tom Rachman's debut novel, following the private lives of the reporters, editors, and executives of an international… Read more about this item Item Price
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The Imperfectionists
by Rachman, Tom
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- 2010
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- Hardcover
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- 9781849160292
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Naas, Kildare, IRL
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€50.00
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London, United Kingdom: Quercus, 2010. Book. As New. Hardcover. 1st Edition. First UK Edition , First Printing. This is a true first edition, first printing (first impression) with a full numberline beginning with [1] to the copyright page. In a as new jacket which is not price clipped. No marks, creasing, tears a lovely copy.. Item Price
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The Imperfectionists
by Rachman, Tom
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Paris, FRA
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London: Quercus, 2010. Cloth/dust jacket Octavo. Hardcover. Very good/very good. blue cloth, gilt lettering, dust jacket, 272 pp
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The Imperfectionists
by Tom Rachman
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Mississauga, Ontario, CAN
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New York: Dial Press, 2010. First Edition . First USA Edition. Fine book in a Fine Dustjacket. Signed and dated by the author on the title page. Laid into the book is a notice for the author appearance and book signing engagement. The first novel from this former newpaper reporter presents an assortment of lively interesting… Read more about this item Item Price
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The Imperfectionists: A Novel
by Rachman, Tom
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- 2010-04-06
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The Imperfectionists: A Novel
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The Imperfectionists: A Novel
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The Imperfectionists: A Novel
by Rachman, Tom
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The Imperfectionists
by Tom Rachman
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BATH, Somerset, GBR
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London: Quercus, 2010. First edition. Paperback. Fine/Fine. 9.5" by 6". None. A fine, first edition and proof copy of Tom Rachman's debut novel. Being a first edition in book form, with the unclipped dustwrapper. Together with a proof copy of this work. Both volumes are in a fine condition. 'The Imperfectionists' interweaves the stories of eleven unusual and endearing… Read more about this item Item Price
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The Imperfectionists
by Tom Rachman
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Seattle, Washington, USA
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€5.63
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Random House Publishing Group, 2010. Hardcover. Like New. Pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
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The Imperfectionists: A Novel (Random House Reader's Circle)
by Rachman, Tom
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- 2011-01-04
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The Imperfectionists: A Novel (Random House Reader's Circle)
by Rachman, Tom
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Dial Press Trade Paperback, 2011-01-04 Cover Creased, Cover Scratched. See our Terms of Sale for a detailed description of condition notes. Paperback. Used - Very Good. Item Price
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The Imperfectionists
by Rachman, Tom
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The Imperfectionists
by Rachman, Tom
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New York: The Dial Press, 2010. Book. As New. Hardcover. 1st US edition.. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. First printing w/complete number line. Rachman's well-received first novel, telling the story of "the topsy-turvy private lives of the reporters, editors, and executives of an international English-language newspaper as they struggle to keep it -- and themselves -- afloat." Brown… Read more about this item Item Price
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The Imperfectionists
by Rachman, Tom
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Quercus. Hardcover. Used; Good. Simply Brit welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring theres something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within… Read more about this item Item Price
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The Imperfectionists: A Novel (Random House Reader's Circle)
by Tom Rachman
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Dial Press Trade Paperback. Used - Very Good. . . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. Item Price
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The Imperfectionists: A Novel (Random House Reader's Circle)
by Tom Rachman
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Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
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Dial Press Trade Paperback. Used - Very Good. . . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. Item Price
€1.20
The Imperfectionists: A Novel (Random House Reader's Circle)
by Rachman, Tom
- Condition
- Used - Good
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- 2011-01-04
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- Paperback
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- 9780385343671
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Dial Press Trade Paperback, 2011-01-04. Paperback. Good. 5x0x7. Item Price
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The Imperfectionists
by Tom Rachman
- Condition
- Like New
- Published
- 2010
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780385343664
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Seattle, Washington, USA
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€5.63
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Random House Publishing Group, 2010. Hardcover. Like New. Former library book; Pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
€5.63
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The Imperfectionists
by Tom Rachman
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- Used - Fine
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- Very Good Indeed
- Edition
- First edition
- Published
- 2010
- Binding
- Cloth
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BATH, Somerset, GBR
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€35.30
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London: Quercus, 2010. First edition. Cloth. Fine/Very Good Indeed. 9" by 6". None. An excellent copy of this work of modern fiction by Tom Rachman. First edition, first impression with complete numberline. In the original pictorial dustwrapper. The Imperfectionists interweaves the stories of eleven unusual and endearing characters who depend on… Read more about this item Item Price
€35.30