As André Aciman sat in the sanctuary at Saint Cuthbert’s church, he shared a piece of advice he received from his aunt years ago, and many times since, “find the human.” It is a simple enough phrase with the ability to be applied to less simple subjects. At the book launch for his new memoir, My Roman Year, Aciman spoke about his experience as a professor at the City University of New York, where he regularly reiterates the same bit of advice to students struggling to analyze novels like Wuthering Heights: “Just find the human. Listen to the eight-year-old child in you who is reading the book, too, and dying to say something.” By continuing to encourage authentic storytelling in the ever-evolving trade publishing industry, we may improve at finding the human in literature and therefore foster a love for literature in children and adults alike. 

The percentage of children and adults who read for pleasure is currently on the decline, down eight percent since 2015 (The Reading Agency, 2024). Numerous factors contribute to this trend, one being that potential readers find literature inaccessible or lacking in diversity. By encouraging publishing houses to acquire books that tell more “slice of life” stories, we can succeed in making modern literature relatable to a broader audience, who may feel underrepresented and uninterested in today’s book stock. When readers encounter characters and narratives that reflect their own experiences, they are more likely to be inspired to read more widely. By prioritizing authentic representation in literature, we can create a more inviting space for readers to see themselves and feel comfortable in their reading journeys.

To encourage publishers, we must first support authors who aspire to highlight the beauty of the mundane. When asked about his creative process, the Call Me By Your Name author emphasized that “writing about what you do not yet know is what makes you creative.” This notion empowers writers to explore unfamiliar territories, pushing their boundaries and uncovering magic in the everyday routine of existence. Claire Keegan, known for her acclaimed “slice of life” books once said, “When we fail, it’s because our imagination fails us.” This sentiment aligns with Aciman’s creative process- writing what he does not yet understand. He seeks to decipher what life means to him in the context of what it has given and what it has taken. In writing My Roman Year, his second memoir, he stated that he became better acquainted with himself while acknowledging the confusion that comes with being a human. He endeavors to give voice to that confusion in everything he writes. 

Without authors like Aciman, many might never find comfort in their struggles with identity, grief, and sexuality. His perspectives are essential for both writers and publishers of innovative stories, giving voice to that which is not yet known or represented. To be able to attend André Aciman’s book launch was truly a dream realized.

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