Enigma Variations (Aciman)

Enigma Variations is a 2017 novel by André Aciman.

Plot

First Love

Paul revisits an Italian island where his family had abandoned their summer home after it burned down. When Paul was 12, his parents had commissioned Nanni to restore some furniture. Paul undertakes an apprenticeship with Nanni, and is interested in him sexually, but at the end of the chapter it is revealed Nanni had had a relationship with Paul's father.

Spring Fever

Paul is living in New York with Maud. He spots Maud in a restaurant with another man. Later, Paul and Maud attend a dinner party, where the other man, Gabi, is present. Paul is jealous, but Maud tells him Gabi is gay and was interested in Paul. Paul reveals he is bisexual.

Manfred

At Paul's tennis club, he meets Manfred. They gradually build up a friendship, but Manfred is reluctant to take things further because he has a boyfriend.

Star Love

Paul is living with Manfred, and meets Chloe, who he sees approximately every four years. They rekindle their affair.

Abingdon Square

Paul meets a much younger writer, but is too hesitant to have sex with her. It is revealed he is married to Claire.

Reception

The Guardian wrote "The absence of a conventional sense of story or structure reflects the musical form that Aciman is invoking, making this a clever experiment but also a frustrating one."

The New York Times wrote "if you think Aciman has explored this territory before — true, but he’s up to something bolder this time. This book reads as if he’s taken his three previous novels, combined and distilled them down to their essence."