In Vincenzo Latronico’s novel “Perfection,” the vibrant yet precarious life of expats in contemporary Berlin is examined through the eyes of Anna and Tom, two creative professionals from Southern Europe. They move to a charming late-19th-century flat in Neukölln, a neighbourhood that transitioned Berlin from a regional city to Europe’s capital during Angela Merkel’s tenure.
Latronico’s portrayal resembles a modern take on Georges Perec’s critiques of consumer culture, expertly cataloguing the tastes and blind spots of the digital nomad subculture facilitated by American tech and European policymakers. As both characters navigate their new life, their flat becomes a backdrop to project their identities, as Berlin itself becomes their defining aspect, overshadowing even their professions.
The couple is depicted with the collective pronoun “they,” illustrating both their individuality and the shared experience of expats in a transient community. Their lives, punctuated by activities described in the conditional tense, reveal their generic existence. The narrative unfolds to show that a curated lifestyle devoid of genuine politics lacks substance, leading Anna and Tom to a harsh realisation.
Their social group, an eclectic mix of friends from around Europe, lacks permanence, as many leave Berlin for opportunities elsewhere or succumb to personal struggles. Each spring brings a new wave of transient expats to fill the void, further deepening the instability of their social fabric. Their cultural connections are established online, finding common ground in global headlines rather than local realities, which leads to a detachment from the pressing issues around them.
As the immigrant crisis surfaces in 2015, Anna and Tom seek to immerse themselves in the city beyond the arts, only to find their efforts more bothersome than beneficial due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with the local culture. Their exploration of alternatives, initially to Lisbon and eventually to Sicily, embodies their struggle to find a sense of belonging.
Latronico’s critique is never harsh; instead, it reflects the realities faced by a generation of individuals confronting the brutal truths of adulthood and societal pressures. In this depiction, the protagonist’s idealised urban life functions as both a charm and an illusion, capturing Berlin’s image as a city of artistic freedom while simultaneously acknowledging the socio-political tensions affecting its residents. Ultimately, “Perfection” acts as a subtle satire of an era that might be viewed as a lost paradise from a future perspective.
“Perfection” by Vincenzo Latronico offers a satirical look at the lives of expats in Berlin through the experiences of Anna and Tom, two creative professionals. The novel critiques the transient lifestyle of digital nomads, exploring themes of identity, community instability, and socio-political challenges in Berlin. As the couple navigates their existence, they face the harsh realities that their curated lives can mask, leading to reflections on belonging and societal pressures.
Latronico’s “Perfection” serves as a poignant reflection on the lives of expats in Berlin, merging urban charm with instability. Through Anna and Tom’s experiences, readers witness the superficiality of curated lifestyles amidst the deeper socio-political challenges. As the novel navigates themes of transience, identity, and communal disconnection, it offers a narrative that resonates with many modern-day millennials and expats grappling with similar dilemmas. ‘Perfection’ thus stands as a bittersweet homage to a fleeting yet captivating moment in European cultural history.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
