Find Me – André Aciman
Expectation: Alternating narratives of Elio and Oliver as they make the slow march back into each other’s lives.
Reality: Like four distinct mini-novellas, each offers a slice-of-life look into the motivations and relationships of the men from “Call Me By Your Name.” If you are patient enough for the journey, it pays off.
My Take:
After devouring “Call Me By Your Name,” I couldn’t wait to dive into the 2019 sequel. While many people told me to temper expectations (it has an abysmal 3.26 rating on Goodreads), I think it is unfairly maligned.
First, kudos to André Aciman for attempting a sequel.
They are notoriously difficult to pull off in any medium, and while this is sometimes a slog to get through — even fans of character-driven stories will have their patience tested — it was still expertly written and captivating in its approach.
The fact we get multiple POVs this go around should be enough for fans of “Name,” but I get many readers expected only a continuation of Elio’s and Oliver’s story — teased in the last chapter of the first book — but instead are presented with four mini-novellas of varying interest:
Part I: Elio's father, Samuel, is on a train in Italy where he forms an unexpected connection with a young woman named Miranda.
Part II: Elio, now a pianist in Paris, falls into a passionate relationship with an older man, Michel, however, his heart still yearns for Oliver.
Part III: Oliver is grappling with a mid-life crisis and reflects on the dangers of a life played safe with his wife and tenure.
Part IV: Aciman does give readers what they hoped for in the emotional climax where Elio and Oliver reunite after two decades apart.
This format initially presents some challenges. The lack of clear transitions between characters' perspectives can be frustrating, and the dense chapters with minimal action requires intense concentration. Especially during Part I, I kept asking, “what’s the point of this?”
Still, the core romantic themes remain captivating. The exploration of how strangers can quickly become lovers, and how we sometimes share our deepest selves with those we barely know is fascinating, and a connective thread between the men and their partners.
If you go into this with an open mind, you’ll once again be treated to Aciman's beautiful writing. Once I found the rhythm, I was deeply invested in each character but wished there were more explicit connections back to the original novel. It felt like searching for hidden Easter eggs that might not even exist.
Having listened to this directly after “Name,” it's clear that Aciman had already envisioned the paths these characters would take and how their lives would intertwine. This sequel fills in the gaps, and I appreciated the multiple POVs that (finally) provide a deeper understanding of each character's history, relationship approach and motivations.
While Samuel’s chapter, given his minor role in the first book, could have been trimmed, I still enjoyed the overall focus on second chances at love and finding the one person who completes you. Elio’s chapter was also less interesting than I expected. All that to say, if you can make it through the first half, you’ll be glad.
Oliver’s chapter plays out almost like a domestic thriller as he acknowledges he can no longer live a bottled up life. And, while some may have craved a more Elio and Oliver central focus, I appreciate the author's decision to balance it with their individual journeys. Ultimately, their reunion feels earned – a testament to the enduring power of their connection.
Once again, the audiobook leverages an actor from the film adaptation of “Call Me By Your Name.” This time it’s Michael Sthulbarg’s (Samuel) chance to shine. It’s clear he understands these characters and Aciman’s world, which brings a delightful sense of ease to the story. His voice perfectly captured the nuances of each character, from the youthful energy of Elio to the world-weariness of Oliver.
Rating (story): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): 5/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: June 11 – June 12, 2024
Multi-tasking: Not recommended. Because connections aren’t clear, it’s easy to get lost in the story even when you are paying close attention.
