Three O’Clock in the Morning by Gianrico Carofiglio

In the enchanting city of Marseille, a brilliant mathematician and his teenage son embark on a two-night journey that forges a newfound connection between them. Set against the backdrop of early 1980s Marseille, this coming-of-age tale is an exploration of love, regret, and the complexities of family. Father and son navigate strained conversations, unexpected encounters, and profound discussions about life, creating a concentrated version of a relationship in just 48 hours. Three O'Clock in the Morning is tender with nostalgia and an evocative story of youth, adulthood, and the power of human connection.

Carofiglio's writing is beautiful, wisely and sparingly dealt. His story, though a common path, is a well-executed tale revolving around ideas of communication. While I wanted to give it five stars, one plot point shocked me as it perpetuates an unsettling trope.

Here be spoilers.

During the sleep-deprived night that spans over 48 hours, Antonio, a high school student undergoing epilepsy tests, encounters a much older woman at a party. With Antonio's father encouraged to rest, Antonio, under the influence of pills, wine, and coffee, succumbs to the seduction. This situation, presented with fondness and nostalgia by the adult Antonio narrating the story, left me deeply disappointed. Such predatory behavior should not be romanticized in fiction. The narrative hints at the father's involvement or awareness, which further compounds the issue.

This moment marred an otherwise captivating tale.

Audiobook, as narrated by Gary Furlong: Furlong did a great job, despite my disappointments with the text itself. His voice actually reminded me a lot of Cary Elwes (particularly as Westley from The Princess Bride) and captured a lot of the nuance in the otherwise sparsely written narrative.