André Aciman's novellas in "Room on the Sea" examine how individuals perceive and misinterpret the emotions of those around them. Aciman reflects on his own experiences of reading people incorrectly, which parallels the themes present in his favorite psychological novels. He shares thoughts on Madame de La Fayette's "La Princesse de Clèves," emphasizing its analytical approach to the unspoken romantic tension between characters. Additionally, he discusses Edith Wharton's "Ethan Frome," illustrating a complicated love triangle driven by suspicion and emotional conflict.
"La Princesse de Clèves is a book that I've always had with me — I think I first read it when I was fifteen or sixteen... the story of how a married princess and a man who is a bit of a cad fall in love simply because they've danced with each other."
"In the whole novel, nothing is ever stated directly. And I love that, because it is analytical to the nth degree. The two lovers never really speak to each other. They do a couple of times, but it's usually in public, and always hastily."
"Ethan Frome is centered on a love triangle... a very domineering woman is married to a man who is a bit of a softie... the wife begins to suspect that her husband is falling in love with Mattie."
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