Enigma Variations is a 2017 novel by

André Aciman André Aciman (; born 2 January 1951) is an Italian-American writer. Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, he is currently a distinguished professor at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, where he teaches the history of lit ...

. It was published in the United States by

Farrar, Straus and Giroux Farrar, Straus and Giroux (FSG) is an American book publishing company, founded in 1946 by Roger Williams Straus Jr. and John C. Farrar. FSG is known for publishing literary books, and its authors have won numerous awards, including Pulitzer P ...

Plot

First Love

Paolo revisits an Italian island where his family had abandoned their summer home after it burned down. When Paolo was 12, his parents had commissioned Nanni to restore some furniture. Paolo 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 Paolo’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."

Television adaptation

In January 2025, it was reported that a limited series adaptation of the novel was in development at

Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...

. ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' announced that

Jeremy Allen White Jeremy Allen White (born February 17, 1991) is an American actor. Raised in New York City, White began his career with minor roles, before his breakthrough role as Phillip "Lip" Gallagher in the comedy-drama series '' Shameless'' from 2011 to ...

would play Paul and executive produce the series; Amanda Kate Shuman is set to write and serve as

showrunner A showrunner is the top-level executive producer of a television series. The position outranks other creative and management personnel, including episode directors, in contrast to feature films, in which the director has creative control over th ...

, with

Oliver Hermanus Oliver Hermanus (; born 26 May 1983) is a South African film director and writer.
"Oliver Hermanus." IMDb: The Internet Movie D ...

directing.

References

2017 American novels American erotic novels American LGBTQ novels Novels set in Italy Novels set in New York City Novels about bisexual topics Male bisexuality in fiction Bisexual fiction 2010s LGBTQ novels 2017 LGBTQ-related literary works Farrar, Straus and Giroux books {{2010s-LGBTQ-novel-stub