Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio, by Amara Lakhous

[Stacey]

In a nutshell, this was about a bunch of neighbors, native Italians and immigrants alike, who come together to discuss their beloved neighbor Amadeo's sudden disappearance. The group of culturally mixed goofballs all live together hilariously, uncompanionably, in flats located in a Piazza Vittorio tenement in Rome. Each colorful character offers a bit of their own history, along with a retelling of their valued relationship with Amadeo and how he's impacted their lives. Why? Because their obnoxious neighbor, the aptly named Gladiator, was murdered and found in the building's controversial elevator...and Amadeo's the prime suspect.

I enjoyed this sweet and salty (racist and sexist themes abound!) tale, of how we in the modern world can't always just get along. There's also another cute twist to this novel that's rooted in Roman mythology; it rounds out the ending quite nicely.

Algerian-born Amara Lakhous considers himself an Italian author, having emigrated to Rome at the age of 25, and his love of Italy really shines here. I read the compact and fun to read Clash for Week 15: a book by an author from a Mediterranean country or set in a Mediterranean country.