— Mingma Sherpa
Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous is one ofmy favorite readings that I have done so far. The book contains humor, mystery, and the struggles that immigrants have to face while trying to settle in a new country. The book is a great work of literature as the story conveys an important message, which will have significance throughout the course of time. The plot revolves around racism and xenophobia and conveys a message that racism or xenophobia is a tool created by man’s fear and has segregated the entire human race. It was interesting to read how humans decide to loathe anything or anyone which is different from their understanding of right and wrong. Our minds have been clogged by our society and culture. The unwillingness of many characters in the book to accept or even understand each other stems from their perception of wrong and right, which has been flawed by their societal or cultural beliefs.
The book conveyed the story through different perceptions and talked about how cultural beliefs and the fear of the unknown clogs our minds and leaves no room for acceptance. The book talks about a topic we all care about, the story and the characters touch our souls, that is why it could be stated as a great work of literature.
