A brilliant, evocative novella. Reading it you feel like you’re standing on the Amalfi coast, soaking up the sunshine and warmth of a magical, bittersweet story.
Meet Raul and the power of love and destiny, no more can be said without giving away the magic that is hiding behind the pages. This will stay with me for a long time.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This short novel starts with this mystical figure revealing the truths behind people's lives, truths he could not possibly know- this angers and upsets people around him, and he seems to enjoy that.

However, this book quickly started to lose me as it seemed to be more focused on having 'a message' about life and love, and as a result, the plot started to suffer for me, and the book felt like it did not fully know who it was.

I liked the writing style and the nostalgic summer feeling the book left me with. I felt like it would have been better if the story had been longer so I could feel more connected to the characters

very much riding the rich people are horrible satire bandwagon, on the lines of white lotus. not a bad novel by any means but a boring one, one that i felt quite removed from

This novella evoked beautiful imagery of the surrounding scenery and setting the mystery to behind the main character. It was a quick read. Having read the previous novels by this author it was not what I expected.

ANDRE ACIMAN – THE GENTLEMAN FROM PERU ****

Having read the author’s previous novels, this one comes as a disappointment. Not that it’s badly written or not interesting, but it is very slight. It concerns the gentleman from Peru, Raul, who seems to have mysterious powers and has knowledge about a group of young people in his hotel. He makes all manner of predictions, many of which prove correct even though there is no apparent way of gaining his information. Are they under his spell?

It is too complicated to give away more of the plot without spoilers. It’s a short enough book, so it’s worth a punt if you enjoy quality writing and thought-provoking ideas.

This was a peculiar little book; so much so, I initially wasn’t sure quite what to make of it. It’s very short — just over 100 pages — but it has somehow lingered, tugging repeatedly at my consciousness.

It can’t be pigeonholed into any particular genre, and for the greater part doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, but the overall effect is of something mystical and other worldly, disorienting even.

Set on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the story opens with a group of young Americans, passing the time at a luxurious beach hotel while their boat is being repaired. Their attention is drawn to an elderly guest, a distinctive but enigmatic presence, who eats alone every evening.

When this gentleman introduces himself to the group, it becomes evident that he’s an individual with extraordinary powers. Raúl can vanquish pain, see into the future and change the course of the present. And, unsettlingly, he also knows intimate details about each of the Americans.

He seems to be especially interested in getting to know Margot, and what follows, as he shows her around some of the favourite haunts from his youth, makes for a curiously absorbing read.

Aciman’s prose is sparse and taut but headily evocative of the Amalfi landscape. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes almost dreamlike in its telling. I had the sense that something momentous was happening, just beyond my grasp.

The realization what, exactly, didn’t come until the last few pages. But when it did, it gave me goosebumps.

And then came the hangover.

Since finishing this, I’ve found myself reflecting on many things, including loss, loneliness and regret, as well as on love: lost love, missed love, love rediscovered. But also, perhaps even more deeply, on metaphysical questions, such as the possibility of living multiple lives, the existence of parallel universes, and time as a fourth dimension.

It speaks volumes for Aciman’s writing that he can elicit such a profound reaction from a scant 114-page story, about a fleeting friendship between an old man and a much younger woman.

The only thing that stops me giving this five stars is the ending. It’s ambiguous and provocative and suggestive of a place I didn’t want to go to. Then again, it could also be the very thing that sparked my ruminations.

The evocative scenery and sensory descriptions of this novella were beautiful and captivating. But the storyline left me cold. I couldn't feel where the author was trying to lead me. Maybe it was just too short. Or maybe I wasn't able to suspend my disbelief enough. But this didn't do much for me I'm afraid.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

This book started well. It is well written and from the start I was interested. I enjoy speculative fiction and felt that this would be a clever addition to the genre. However for me it never delivered. The clever ideas never really paid off and in the end it was just another novella. There are far more interesting books that I can press into peoples hands, so I'm afraid I will not be hand selling this one.

The Gentleman from Peru is a beautifully written story with vivid imagery and descriptions of the Amalfi coast. I’ve always enjoyed Aciman’s scene setting and the way he describes the living world around the characters. This book is no exception.

I enjoyed the cast of characters employed but would have loved to have seen more development with them rather than the sole focus revolving around two. I enjoyed their story and its development but found it slightly difficult to vibe with them, possibly because the story develops quickly. Certain aspects of the link between them could have been developed further, particularly how the gifts developed beyond their original discovery.

Definitely worth a read over the summer if you want to be transported to Southern Italy!

A short novel or a long novella, a book about memories of youth, the esotic and sultry atmosphere of Amalfi coast. Aciman delivers another work about youth and how intense is living when you're young.
Well plotted, great storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Do we spend eternity reliving our lives in different ways to be at last with your soulmate? This novel sensitively possits the possibility in a rather wistful and beautiful way. Set on the Amalfi coast in a luxurious hotel, a gentleman dining alone becomes the talking point of a group of fellow diners but only there because their boat had developed a few problems and was being repaired. A shoulder injury is the icebreaker and soon the the group and the gentleman are in conversation. Weirdly, Margot (of the group) is quite snappy towards the gentleman who is nothing but polite. You will have to read this most charming book to find out why.

The Gentleman From Peru
by Andrea Aciman

Like many previous reviewers I also read and adored "Call Me by Your Name" and was intrigued by this novella.

I was immediately captivated by the spirit of the Amalfi Coast, the sultry languidity of the luxurious holiday and the group who are reunited for the occasion. The mysterious gentleman and his healing power promised more than it ultimate delivered, and while the writing is beautiful and evocative, and could be read in a single sitting, or sunbathe, it won't stay with me as long as the freckles might.

Publication date: 4th April 2024
Thanks to #NetGalley and #faberandfaber for the eGalley

A group of young Americans are in a hotel in Southern Italy whilst awaiting the repair of their boat. After noticing an older gentleman follow a daily ritual, they are surprised when he helps one of their number with an injury.
What follows is a tale of lost love through the years.
A short book, but nicely written.

Thank you to Netgalley.co.uk and Faber & Faber for a review copy of this novel.

From the author of "Call Me by Your Name" comes a wonderful story of love, loss and regret.
"The Gentleman from Peru" is a poignant reflection on one man's life. It is a dream, it may be fantasy, but whatever it is, it is written in a beautifully descriptive, touching and sensuous way.
Eight college friends find themselves stranded at a beautiful hotel on Italy's Amalfi Coast, when their boat needs to be repaired. The 'Young Americans' begin to observe an elderly gentleman, sitting alone each night at dinner. One day, feeling curious about this older, suave, gentleman they decide to invite him to join them for lunch. He accepts their invitation, and so begins his story.
He imparts his wisdom, telling them secrets about themselves, and they are intrigued by his ability to see into their souls. He seems to be particularly interested in one of the women in the group, and so begins a life-changing journey for her.
Andre Aciman's writing not only reflects the epic poems of Homer and Virgil in my mind, he uses their works in his character's words, to impress upon the 'Young Americans' the depth of his knowledge about their lives.

I found this short story beautiful, poignant and it captivated me from the start. Andre Aciman instills the heat of the Amalfi coast on every page.

A perfect read for the summer, but would bring warmth and sunshine to you at all times.

Thankyou to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Gentleman From Peru.

This is a story full of uncanny, almost Gothic, vibes as the The Gentleman From Peru, whose name we learn is Raúl, slowly ingratiates himself into the circle of friends. After he mysteriously heals the pain one of their number gained from a sports injury which has been bothering him for weeks, they invite the man to join them at their dinner table. Following Raúl's intervention the pain is gone and Mark, along with everyone else in their group, is completely baffled by how that is possible. During their ensuing conversation it turns out that Raúl knows things about each of them which they thought no one else knew.

After the lyricism, believable characters, excellent writing and structure of Find Me (2020) and Call Me By Your Name (2021), The Gentleman From Peru is strikingly different from Aciman's previous novels lacking, as it does, their beauty, dream-like language and scene setting and exploring, instead, the realm of fantasy. It is not always a comfortable read.

Many thanks to the publishers and to Netgalley for the ARC.

I really wanted to enjoy this book but I struggled with the story and considering it’s only a short book took a long time to finish. I just didn’t find this engaging enough. There is some beautiful writing and descriptions but I didn’t connect to the story or characters.

🌅 REVIEW 🌅

The Gentleman from Peru by André Aciman
Publishing Date: 4th April

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

📝 - A group of young American friends find themselves in a small Italian coastal town after their boat breaks while travelling across the Mediterranean. While they relax in the sun, enjoying the pause in their life, they a meet an older man in the hotel who begins to change their outlook on life, for one of the members of the group in particular.

💭 - This was a very quick read for me, though the story itself is not a fast paced one. I enjoyed the reflective nature of the plot, the feeling of looking back and having unretrieved memories. I’d class this as a ‘quiet read’, one that focuses on introspection and reflection, so if you’re looking to take a break from fast-paced or thriller types, this could be a good reset. It definitely isn’t my typical type of read, and it also wasn’t what I was expecting based on the blurb and that it is classed on StoryGraph as a romance (not untrue, but a very different romance to expected). While it was an interesting read for me, it didn’t blow me away, and I did struggle with rating it.
With themes of fate, missed opportunity and perception, this is a quick (200 page) read that might get you longing for days on secluded Italian beaches, and unexpected meetings with foreign strangers…

Andre Aciman has always been a bit hit-and-miss for me. Much like the rest of the world, I absolutely adored the sumptuous, sun-dappled intensity of Call Me By Your Name. But I was sadly disappointed by Find Me. I really enjoyed his collection Enigma Variations, but struggled to enter the world of Eight White Nights.

Unfortunately, I found myself once again underwhelmed by The Gentleman From Peru. I found it a little rambling, with grating characters and far too much aimless pontificating. Thankfully, Aciman characteristically excels at scene-setting, and it's no doubt a decent means of escapism. Not terrible, but certainly a far cry from his more heartfelt masterworks.