SEARCH FOR COMPLETE by Stephen G. Hardy offers an engaging and eloquently written analysis of the importance of both romantic and platonic relationships and the many overlaps between the two. Reviewed by Erin Britton. The post Book Review: Search...
Search for Complete
by Stephen G. Hardy
Genre: Literary Fiction
ISBN: 9798396061699
Print Length: 382 pages
Reviewed by Erin Britton
There are no half measures when it comes to the desire for completeness.
According to Aristophanes, as related by Plato in Symposium, there were originally three types of humans: males, who descended from the sun; females, who emerged from the earth; and androgenous figures, who derived from the moon and had both male and female characteristics. All three types were hugely powerful, and together they formulated a plan to topple the gods from Olympus. In retaliation, Zeus split them all into two beings, which gave rise to the concept of “finding your better half.”
If one of the three types of humans actually manages to find its other half, then it tends to cling to that other to avoid ever being separated again, and this conception of the all-consuming desire for wholeness—particularly when viewed through the prism of romance—inspired Stephen G. Hardy to write Search for Complete, a genre-bridging novel that delves into the lives of three disparate-seeming individuals who are all looking for a way to fill the gaps in their hearts and lives.
Twenty-three-year-old Christopher Dunn is a few days into a ten-day stay in Paris when he meets antiques dealer Joseph-Marie Bonheur, who alludes to a mysterious “they,” a party or parties who knew that Christopher would be in Paris and that he would meet Joseph. While with Joseph, Christopher spots a strange pen and ink drawing: “Small in size, it was set in an intricately carved, gilt frame, the paper slightly yellowed and foxed at the edges, the once black ink now brown. In style, it reminded Christopher of a Picasso, and featured three bizarre figures under three orbs that he took to represent planets.”
Noting Christopher’s interest, Joseph gives him a book written by numerous people over the course of centuries that explains Aristophanes’ theory about the origin of humanity in its present form and describes their own experiences of seeking completeness through their other halves. He also shares his belief that Christopher is “a complete descendent of the moon.” Finally, Joseph tasks Christopher with adding to the book by setting down his experience of being a descendent of the moon.
The majority of Search for Complete comprises Christopher’s account of just that, chronicling how a failed romance with a ballet dancer named Gabriel prompts him to move to San Diego and seek a new life. Once there, he meets two people who are destined to change the course of his extraordinary life forever: Laura Chasen, a new coworker who considers him “stunningly beautiful” and “saddened by the knowledge he held,” and David Martelli, who observes “a formality to [Christopher’s] speech and manner, as though he stepped out of a Jane Austen novel.”
These three—Christopher, Laura, and David—are destined to weave in and out of each other’s lives, dancing around their respective romantic interests, their hopes and fears, and their deep-seated desire for true connection. As they converse and grow closer, opening up about secrets and concerns they have long kept buried, Christopher finally begins to feel that he might not be destined to be alone forever, that he might finally be near to finding the other half of his whole.
Search for Complete is narrated from the alternating perspectives of Christopher and Laura, which allows for greater insight into their characters and their perceptions of events that transpire throughout the novel, although their voices could perhaps be a bit more distinct. Hardy conveys Christopher’s otherworldliness through the unusually formal and rather archaic way in which he speaks, and Laura’s dialogue sometimes veers in the same direction. In terms of perspectives, given his equal importance to the story, I longed for David to narrate a few chapters.
Still, Hardy’s approach to telling these stories is poetic and philosophical, lending pathos to the narrative and crafting a dream-like atmosphere around their day-to-day lives. As Christopher, Laura, and David navigate the complex terrain of their emotions and strive to find happiness, Hardy allows the whirlwind of their feelings to take precedence over the concrete things that occur along the way, thereby revealing sometimes profound insights into the psyche of each. Indeed, at its core, Search for Complete is a poignant exploration of interpersonal relationships and the importance of open communication.
In this way, the novel’s lyrical style and meditative approach reflect its title, focusing on the characters’ journey toward completeness and contentment—including the various stumbling blocks along the way—rather than on their final destination. Their journey also draws attention back to Aristophanes’ story, highlighting a search for purpose and happiness that extends beyond regular notions of romance despite centering on two people forming a single soul or sense of belonging.
While Christopher is aware of his identity status outside of the mainstream—and of the fact it sets him apart from other people—Laura and David initially seem to have far more regular romantic goals in mind, although all three learn to recognize their connection with each other and the potential to form a loving family in unexpected ways. Hardy’s portrayal of the three is always empathetic, revealing their all-too-human frailties and dreams. He draws heavily on myth but also firmly situates the story in reality, which is why Search for Complete defies genre classification.
An unusual and thought-provoking debut from Hardy, Search for Complete offers an engaging and eloquently written analysis of the importance of both romantic and platonic relationships and the many overlaps between the two. The multilayered journey of the three main characters often proceeds in surprising and enlightening ways, provoking questions about the nature of existence and connections with others. Along the way, as Christopher, Laura, and David mature and learn to accept both themselves and each other, a sense of hope and possibility emerges.
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