#283 | The Lie of ‘Perfection’—Vincenzo Latronico on the Inescapable Feeling of Discontent in a Social Media World

🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses “Perfection” by Vincenzo Latronico, a literary novel about a millennial couple navigating modern life as digital artists in Berlin. Vigliotti explores the book’s themes of technology, social media, and the persistent feeling of “not enough,” despite seemingly having it all. He highlights Latronico’s background as a translator, shares favorite quotes, reflects on the novel’s detached narrative style and the millennial experience of the world, and overall, praises the novel while highly recommending it.✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.📚 Learn more about "Aristotle for Novelists" at AristotleforNovelists.com or READ IT NOW!⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read.🗣️ If you liked this episode, listen to episode #214 | What Makes 'The Great Gatsby' the Great American Novel?!🗣️ If you liked this episode, listen to episode #254 | Dorian Gray: The Original Influencer Who Sold His Soul for Likes—Is Oscar Wilde’s Classic Novel a Cautionary Tale for the Social Media Age?!💥 TOPICS COVERED IN THE EPISODE:Introduction & Podcast Purpose (00:09) - Host introduces the podcast, the book "Perfection," and mentions the companion newsletter.About the Author: Vincenzo Latronico (01:06) - Background on the author, his translation work, and influence on his writing style.Translation, Craft, and Literary Influences (02:11) - Discussion of translation as a craft, its impact on Latronico, and literary influences like Georges Perec.Book Overview: Plot and Style (04:29) - Summary of the story, main characters Tom and Anna, and the book’s stylistic approach.Narrative Tone and Example Passage (05:56) - Explanation of the book’s outside-looking-in narrative style, with a sample excerpt.Themes: Contentment and the "Not Enough" Feeling (07:11) - Exploration of the book’s central theme: the struggle with contentment in modern, tech-driven life.Technology, Social Media, and Millennial Experience (08:28) - How technology and social media shape the protagonists’ and millennials’ perceptions of satisfaction.The Inescapable Influence of Social Media (09:55) - Reflection on the pervasive cultural impact of social media, regardless of personal use.Final Excerpt and Closing Thoughts (11:04) - A favorite quote from the book, final thoughts, and encouragement to read the novel.Outro and Ways to Connect (00:12:03) - Information on subscribing, connecting with the host, and links to his book and newsletter.