Picture an Egyptian-born storyteller who spun a tale of love so vivid it became an Oscar-winning film—meet André Aciman! Known for his lyrical prose and deep dives into identity, desire, and displacement, Aciman has captivated readers worldwide with novels like Call Me by Your Name. His work, infused with a multicultural perspective, bridges continents and hearts.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1951, Aciman’s life is a tapestry of cultures, woven from his Sephardic Jewish roots and multilingual upbringing. Now a distinguished professor at the CUNY Graduate Center, he’s not just an author but a scholar of Marcel Proust, bringing a thoughtful lens to both his writing and teaching.
The Making of André Aciman
Aciman grew up in a vibrant, French-speaking household in Alexandria, where Italian, Greek, and Arabic also filled the air. His family, Sephardic Jews of Turkish and Italian descent, faced exile after the Suez Crisis, moving to Rome in 1965 and then New York City in 1968. These displacements shaped his fascination with memory and belonging, themes that pulse through his work. After earning a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Harvard, Aciman taught at prestigious institutions like Princeton and NYU before settling at CUNY, where he directs The Writers’ Institute.
André Aciman’s Unforgettable Stories
Aciman’s writing is a sensory feast, blending lush prose with raw emotional depth. His breakthrough novel, Call Me by Your Name (2007), is a tender coming-of-age story about a summer romance in Italy, earning the Lambda Literary Award and inspiring an acclaimed 2017 film. Its sequel, Find Me (2019), revisits the beloved characters Elio and Oliver, exploring love’s enduring echoes. Out of Egypt (1995), a memoir, vividly recounts his childhood in Alexandria, winning a Whiting Award for its evocative storytelling. Eight White Nights (2010), which Aciman considers his finest work, captures a fleeting New York romance with Dostoyevskian intensity.
His style, often compared to Proust, is introspective and rhythmic, inviting readers to linger in moments of longing and nostalgia. Whether crafting novels, essays, or memoirs, Aciman explores the ‘irrealis mood’—the space of what might have been—making his work resonate universally.
Why André Aciman Matters
Aciman’s impact lies in his ability to articulate the human condition with unflinching honesty. Call Me by Your Name has become a cornerstone of contemporary gay literature, celebrated for its universal portrayal of love and desire. His essays, appearing in The New Yorker and The New York Review of Books, probe exile and identity, offering insights that resonate with diasporic communities. As a professor, he shapes new writers, emphasizing precision and emotional truth. Aciman’s work invites readers to embrace their own complexities, making him a vital voice in modern literature.
- Born: January 2, 1951, in Alexandria, Egypt
- Key Works: Call Me by Your Name, Out of Egypt, Find Me, Eight White Nights
- Awards: Lambda Literary Award (2008), Whiting Award (1995)
- Fun Fact: He’s an accomplished pianist who has performed in concerts across the U.S. and Europe.
About André Aciman
Snag Call Me by Your Name or Out of Egypt and dive into André Aciman’s soul-stirring world of love, memory, and longing!