Rather than a linear plot, the book is structured as five interconnected novellas, each capturing Paul at a different age and exploring the "enigmas" of his heart. It starts with pure, agonizing adolescent yearning. Then there's jealousy, followed by high-ends flirtation. There is a volatile on-again-off-again romance. And finally a quiet, philosophical end that suggests our identities are not fixed; we are a collection of all the people we have loved and all the versions of ourselves we’ve left behind.
I don't normally read romance novels, and this one isn't really such a romance novel, but I have to admit, this book made me wet.
I really liked how desire was depicted as very fluid: Aciman rejects rigid labels. Paul’s attractions to men and women are presented as equally intense and equally confusing. And while I am not bisexual, I found this very versatile main character to be easily relatable. Another theme is about memory as a filter: The "Variations" in the title (a nod to Elgar’s Enigma Variations) suggest that Paul is playing the same "theme" of longing over and over, just in different keys and at different tempos. And finally, the "Enigma": The central mystery isn't a plot point—it’s the self. Paul (and the reader) is left wondering if we ever truly know what we want, or if we are just chasing shadows.
As I was reading this, I wondered, whether people keep on chasing dreams. The main character had several different objects of desire throughout the book. Every episode was quite intense. Somehow, I wonder why I don't have such intense episodes myself, maybe I am just too rational, and I focus on my head more than my heart. Perhaps each to their own, but after reading this, sometimes I wonder what would life be like if I focused slightly a bit more on my heart, and tone down the reason just a bit slightly?
That's something to think about. In the meantime, I would recommend this book to others. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. It is very sensual, but sometimes one needs a sensual book.
See my other book reviews here.
