Enigma Variations A Novel

not as much tennis as I thought…

A beautiful exploration into the different kinds of love a person experiences throughout their life. Aciman's writing style continues to both enchant and challenge me all at once - when I read him I feel both smarter and dumber than I actually am. The complexity of the characters, the beauty of the prose... 4.5 stars if Goodreads would let me!!!

very sexy

1. i almost didn’t want to give andre aciman another chance after reading the atrocious mess that is “find me” 2. leave it to him to insert a love entanglement between a younger person and an older man in every single one of his books

** spoiler alert ** - I love Nanni and I adore the rawness of the sexual built up. With that I mean how Aciman describes the beginning of the realisation that physical love can be overwhelmingly intense. How desire can feel shameful, all-encompassing or like fire boiling in your abdomen. If there is anyone who writes passion well, it’s this genius man. - When Paolo sat naked in the church, hoping Nanni would see him, that was so barren and beautiful. This young kid with his first confrontation with a love that fuels sexual desire in him, without realizing what this means, making himself as vulnerable as he can. And then being told off. - Aciman writes out themes of adult adoration, the insecurity and vulnerability of being young, idolisation, the beginning stages of sexual awakenings and innocence compared to the harsh wisdom of adults. The way he writes the perspective and outlook of younger characters on older characters is unfathomably gorgeous. You feel every emotion, no matter how disgusting. And he writes gross shit sometimes. I'm here for it. - Manfred's part of the story was undoubtedly one of the most intriguing yet frustrating parts of the story. They barely spoke in the two years they were already having alongside each other on the tennis court. Paolo became obsessed with this man's body. The thought of him got him through his days and kept him awake and simmering with desire at night. His endless descriptions of his body, from his scraped thigh to his actual anus. And yet, we barely get anything in return for the wait. André knows how to write a solid relationship including any and all emotions. No matter how messed up. But once he puts his hands on the keyboard for a sex scene, it just doesn't fall into place. I want smut from him. The only sexual encounters he writes are about being "english muffined" and wanting to be cut open and having his blood to be witnessed by her. Sorry but that wasn't my taste. - Now, the random college girl he will give wonderful Mandred up for. It was interesting yet painful to read. 1. the cheating. 2. the hopelessness of older people attempting to burst new love into an old love. 3. the passing of time. How André took them back to where they fell for each other. It had obviously lost what they were searching to find. And we're tortured by having to read about the tension, the changes and the inevitability of their unhappiness. - In case I sound too negative, I adored like 60% of this book. The writing, as always, is breath taking. The metaphors and little sidetracks Aciman takes kill me. The scenery is very influential in some scenes, and written accordingly. The ugly aspects of being an adult are written so truthfully I found it hard to not be effected by them. The shame, the regret, sorrow, boredom and seeking for any form of company only to speak to and be heard by.

I didn't completely love this book, but I didn't completely hate it either. There were things that I absolutely adored, such as the references to Latin and Greek literature, as well as the small island in Italy and all of its unique characters in "First Love," which is definitely my favorite part of the book. I also enjoyed "Star Love" because I'm a sucker for the 'bad timing' trope in love stories. As far as the other stories go, I didn't grow particularly attached to anyone else, and I'm pretty sure I blacked out a few times during "Manfred" because it was just so boring. Maybe one day I'll reread this and learn to appreciate it more, but as of right now I can only give it 3 stars.