This dreamy story is everything I want from an Andre Aciman book. It was 107 pages of perfection.
Paul and Catherine are in their sixties and come to meet each other in a New York court for jury duty. Paul strikes up conversation with Catherine as she is reading Wuthering Heights. For a week, they meet each other before and after court, sparking an intense friendship and maybe something more. Both are married, but not happily and it is like they are being seen for the first time again. They spend time in cafes and restaurants and museums. Speak of going to Italy and Naples in particular (I loved the Neapolitan barista)
The writing is beautiful, no words or sentences are wasted. The connection, the love it's all there. I could have read another 300 pages of this. Loved it! Will be one of my books of the year.

If you’re a fan of The New York Times’ Modern Love columns, I think that this novella Room by the Sea by Andre Aciman will be for you.

I absolutely loved reading Room on the Sea which centres on Paul and Catherine, who meet by chance whilst on jury duty in New York City. They strike up a conversation about Wuthering Heights, the book that Catherine was reading and so begins their story.

I loved the way the story unfolds day by day over their jury service. They chew the fat whilst waiting to see whether they will be called and then selected for a jury. They have coffees and lunches together and find that they have more and more in common - and maybe more. As the days pass, and Paul and Catherine reveal more about their lives, I just found myself caring more about them and becoming very invested in their story. I think this is a novella that I’ll revisit from time to time.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Faber and Faber Ltd, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Room on the Sea by Andre Aciman

In a New York heatwave, Catherine and Paul meet at the courthouse where they are assessed for jury duty every day for a week. An instant connection is formed and over the course of the week they meet for breakfast, have lunch together and later drinks, all whilst indulging a fantasy of a trip to Naples. But a deep bond is formed and at the end of the week decisions must be made.

Oh this is such a beautiful novella with real heart. The prose and the tone are perfect, and I really empathised with the two characters in their mid-sixties and wondering whether there's more to life. Catherine is a psychologist and Paul a lawyer so they have fantatic conversations and I loved being part of their world for a week. Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

Having apparently been living under a stone, I was not aware until I read it elsewhere that this author is very successful and one of his books is a very successful film so I came to this novella with no expectations.

I quite liked the book at first and found it quite fresh and interesting. I felt that I was walking through the city with the couple, having lunch, popping into the cafe, strolling about. I also liked the bits about the painting, I have prints which give me the same feeling and, funnily enough, one of them is Rooms by the Sea by Edmund Hopper. I am a fan of Hopper' s seascapes and not so familiar with the Nighthawks types so I had to look up the one with the theatre usher that they talk about.

As the book progressed I began to find the couple a bit annoying and felt that they were making too many difficulties for themselves. Both are in "dead" marriages, staying only for the sake of the grandchildren; neither spouse would care if the couple had an affair; the couple seem to feel that they have a Life's Grand Passion so where is their problem in pursuing it? I am not that much younger than them and I say good luck to them for even having the energy to have the feelings they have. As a side note, how nice to be rich enough to fly off to Italy from America on a whim.

Catherine's laugh seemed to be always described as "giggling" and that grated on me as I consider that giggling has connotations of childishness or mockery. Maybe that's just me though.

I usually don't mind an unresolved ending and quite like to end it myself so to speak but in this case I was not sufficiently invested in either of them to care very much and would have preferred say, an epilogue.

Catherine and Paul are both middle aged when they're called up to jury duty. Over the course of a warm summer's week, they spend time together while waiting to see if they will be chosen. What begins as a light flirtation, unexpectedly develops into something stronger than they could ever have imagined and by the end of their time together, they must decide whether to take the chance to act on their feelings or be prepared to walk away and live with the 'what if' forever.

A wonderful and moving novella about longing where 2 people in the second half of their lives must decide whether to risk everything for a last chance at happiness. Written by the author of Call Me By Your Name with depth and feeling, it explores the sadness and loneliness that sometimes occurs when long-term couples grow apart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful story.

A short, beautifully written novella about two strangers, Paul and Catherine, who meet while waiting for jury duty in New York. Over the week, their connection deepens into something more emotional and complicated.
A poignant and thought-provoking read, especially for those of us who enjoy reading literary fiction.

I really enjoyed this tender love story. Beautifully written with sympathy and compassion for the characters. Highly recommend

I really enjoyed this book. It's a simple premise, two strangers meeting and deeply connecting with each other during snatched moments together. The writing is lush and descriptive of themes on reflection and yearning for more from life. The "what-ifs" of life. Everyone can relate to this book. Wanting to escape from the humdrum and routine of your every day life and run away with someone who sparks life back into you. I was genuinely disappointed when I finished this book. I wanted more.

A stunning piece of literary fiction that will pull on your heart strings and make you question so many truths. A powerful read.

this felt so alive and off the pages at times. sometimes almost like watching a play between two people as the rest of the world swirls around them. this book is short and sweet. you get to picture a moment in time that might or might last long after the pages and the time together ends. and of course there are questions. both from the audience and the characters im sure. what next? what now? should we? should they?
it leads you to question your own beliefs. but also the characters. are things ever as simple as good and bad. or is there often more going on behind the doors of people lives that might lead them to there future interactions and behaviors. for me there is no excuse for certain things. but im also always willing to learn and listen to when other things might be at play.
this is a book about two people that meet whilst waiting for jury service. and the connection is instant. its more than a flirty light c0nnection. it feels instantly deeper. like the what if they never thought they had in them.
is it because of there home lives that leads this to even be a question. are they just flighty and immoral partners about to cheat...or willing to?
this isn't something we all need to read and agree with to enjoy. its a book of beauty just by the way its written. and its like witnessing a snippet in time that so often we dont(thankfully) lots is said without words. lots is said in the silence. lots is said in your own head from the words on the page!
i really enjoyed this book.

A short novel, this is expertly written. Two people meet whilst on jury duty, and in the course of a week, form a relationship and realise this is not the first time the might have met. Sliding doors, and all that. It's a simple but evocative premise, and what Caiman is so good at (and has to be here because that's really all there is to the novel) is character and relationships. The dialogue is brilliantly written, and demonstrates the growing feelings the two have for each other, as well as demonstrating the intelligence and difference between the two. It's unresolved, which it should be, and whilst it's short, I think that's also narratively important, conveying the brevity of chance, 'fate' (if you believe in that) and life, generally. Loved it. Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC.

Given its controversial story line, I think the plot of infidelity should be more clearly advertised prior to reading. I wasn’t a fan of the mixture of punctuation techniques used during dialog, and instead would rather it have stuck to one. However, with this being my first book by the author, I can safely say I throughly enjoyed his metaphorical references. Specifically, the mentions of humans being similar to lava lamps, as well as the reference to having a ‘shadow home’, as a way to describe one’s internal universe.

I enjoyed this short novel though not as much as other Aciman novels. It was really joyous to read a love story between two older adults who are both dynamic and attractive people.
It’s also beautifully evocative of sultry summer in New York.
Having said that, I found the dialogue often implausible and I think a little more back story for both characters might have made them more engaging.

Small but perfectly formed, a story of a two people in their sixties who, through a chance meeting waiting to do jury service, make a connection. The chapters are divided into days, and we feel therefore that this will come to a natural end. The author is very good at managing our expectations, each day there is uncertainty and an inevitability of where this may lead. Their meetings are innocent, and conversations playful, but underneath lies a deeper understanding of life’s disappointments.

"Maybe I dread change, though I too long for it. But then, is change what I really want at this point in my life? Is there even time for change?"

Room on the Sea, Andre Aciman's most recent novella, opens up against the backdrop of New York's scorching summer, as Paul and Catherine, alongside a hundred others, await jury selection. During the span of a week, these two strangers, entrapped in a universe of their own, are constantly reminded of the strings pulling them in opposite directions.

"He was reading the newspaper. She was reading a novel. He looked at her once. She did not look back. She had fair hair, which was combed back, and from the way she held her book and rested it on the knee of her crossed leg, she had the hands of a pianist."

Room on the Sea offers a mature and thought-provoking exploration of the yearnings between two near-retirement adults, a seemingly accomplished life, where the unspoken words simmer beneath the surface, carrying more weight than what’s spoken. Aciman's prose oozes sensuality and maturity and love, with opposing subtlety and honesty. The character development, as expected from Aciman, is well-crafted; Paul and Catherine, both flawed and achingly human, are compelling characters. Their internal monologues and conversations and banter, filled with desire, guilt and possibilities, are the heart of the novel.

Then, with a touch of boldness that almost surprised him: "What’s the name of the hotel?”
“Its name is Albergo Segreto, i.e., the Secret Hotel.”
She pondered the answer. “Oh,” she finally exclaimed. “So you’re not going to tell me?” There was an affected, slighted pout to her voice."

The book delves into the complexities of human relationships, where unspoken words and desires occupies the veiled meaning between the lines. Aciman's ability to capture these nuances is remarkable. He creates an atmosphere of quiet urging, where every glance and every word carries weight, often coded.

“And the cilantro situation?” he suddenly asked, trying to steer the conversation to her husband and make her say more about him.
“The cilantro situation,” she mused, thinking how to answer. Then, avoiding a reply, she simply added, “Not much different from yours, I presume.”
“Are we speaking in code again?”
“How coded could we be if we both know what we’re talking about?”

Room on the Sea is a novella that demands to be savoured and reflected upon long after finishing. It's a testament to Aciman's ability to create a world from our everyday lives that is both beautiful and melancholic. I wholeheartedly recommend ANY of his novels to readers who appreciate exquisite prose, rich dialogues and reflections that explore the depths of human emotion and the elusive nature of life's choices.

“The problem with people our age,” she went on, “is that we’ve lived through or imagined too many variations on the same scene and know where most lead. We know we should claim to know less than we already do. We even know better than to speak our doubts, much less to those who shouldn’t hear them for fear they’d change their minds about us.”

Thank you, Andre Aciman and Faber & Faber Ltd, for the review copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Right from the first sentence you are drawn into the story, falling head over heels in love with the dynamic between Paul and Catherine, and their interactions with every other character they come across in the book.

In true André Aciman style, the writing is phenomenal. So beautiful. The imagery is so vivid that, at points, I felt like I was on an Italian getaway, and at other times, like I was strolling through Central Park. The dialogue is so authentic, I felt bashful when the characters did, and flustered when they did too.

Aciman captures their budding romance so well that I found myself lowkey rooting for them but also having to check myself because I kind of shouldn’t have been 😅.

All in all, a wonderful book. Easily the highest rated book I’ve read this month so far, and at this current point, in my top 5 books of the year.

‘Room on the Sea’ is a novella by André Aciman - who wrote the bestselling ‘Call Me by Your Name’.
Paul and Catherine, both in their sixties, meet whilst waiting to be selected as jurors in the fierce heat of a New York summer.
They feel an instant connection and as the week goes on light flirting becomes far more complex, not least because of their longstanding relationships with their respective partners.
By the end of the week they must make a decision whether to walk away or act on their feelings.
With themes of reality versus fantasy, regret and longing, this is a short sensitively written read.

Many thanks to NetGalley & Faber & Faber for an ARC

What a delightful short story/novella. Aciman's writing is so poignant and it's good to read about a couple in their sixties for a change. A quick read but one that will stay woth me for a long time. And one that I will probably reread - which is something I hardly ever do. Thank you for the e-ARC to read and review.

Aciman has such a gift for writing, such an enjoyable read! I think this might be in my top favourite books of the year so far!

maybe what keeps me alive at this point is waiting for something unforeseen to come along.

a slow and meandering musing on life, passion and infidelity, told through the perspective of two people who have become complacent with the last decades of their lives. the writing alternates between monologues and wistful stares across cafe tables, reading more like a screenplay than a book at times. the theoretical nature of the story though meant that this did not impact my enjoyment of the little tale - aciman is most interested in conveying a feeling than he is a plot, and these two little characters and the small week in their life that we get a glimpse at are only a vessel for that. the strong line of regret throughout this created a lovely mood, and even with that the ending was still hopeful, letting the characters still make choices to change their situations in their twilight years.

the e-arc provided only gave me one short story, although other reviews indicate this is a collection, which i am now very interested to read.