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I Before E
i before e, except by the sea,
where when drowning I may,
find padre. Padre!
The third novel in the Elba trilogy, "I Before E" tells the story of Paolo Viglietti, a young Italian-American immigrant whose desperate struggle to understand his father’s drowning triggers a turbulent coming of age—one that ultimately leads him back to Italy to confront the family mysteries he's grappled with his entire life.
Set between 1986 and 2000, "I Before E" follows Paolo's journey from his suffocating childhood in Little Italy (New York City), to his teenage liberation in the West Village, to his college escape to UC Berkeley, and finally to his return to Italy and search for answers in Rome, Padua, and his hometown of Portoferraio, Elba.
Though "I Before E" stands alone as an independent novel, readers of "Able Was I" and "Ere I Saw Elba" will recognize familiar faces as the threads of the trilogy weave together to explore themes of childhood trauma, exile, and forgiveness.
where when drowning I may,
find padre. Padre!
The third novel in the Elba trilogy, "I Before E" tells the story of Paolo Viglietti, a young Italian-American immigrant whose desperate struggle to understand his father’s drowning triggers a turbulent coming of age—one that ultimately leads him back to Italy to confront the family mysteries he's grappled with his entire life.
Set between 1986 and 2000, "I Before E" follows Paolo's journey from his suffocating childhood in Little Italy (New York City), to his teenage liberation in the West Village, to his college escape to UC Berkeley, and finally to his return to Italy and search for answers in Rome, Padua, and his hometown of Portoferraio, Elba.
Though "I Before E" stands alone as an independent novel, readers of "Able Was I" and "Ere I Saw Elba" will recognize familiar faces as the threads of the trilogy weave together to explore themes of childhood trauma, exile, and forgiveness.
380 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2025
About the author
Drew Banks
6 books17 followersDrew Banks is a retired entrepreneur, business author, and novelist. In his business writing as well as fiction, Drew deconstructs behavioral patterns in an attempt to explore psychological motivations and deterrents. While Drew's business books examine organizational implications of various social psychologies, he is drawn to fiction—where he is now focused—as a more intimate medium for delving beneath the surface of an individual.
Drew's Elba Trilogy consists of three independent novels—ABLE WAS I, ERE I SAW ELBA, and coming soon, I BEFORE E—all dealing with the issue of exile, physical and emotional, with the protagonist of each (as well as some ancillary characters) woven throughout.
WUNC Interview: Able Was I
https://tinyurl.com/4s4y6e6k
WUNC Interview: Ere I Saw Elba
https://tinyurl.com/xe883h43
Drew's Elba Trilogy consists of three independent novels—ABLE WAS I, ERE I SAW ELBA, and coming soon, I BEFORE E—all dealing with the issue of exile, physical and emotional, with the protagonist of each (as well as some ancillary characters) woven throughout.
WUNC Interview: Able Was I
https://tinyurl.com/4s4y6e6k
WUNC Interview: Ere I Saw Elba
https://tinyurl.com/xe883h43
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 29, 2026
Drew Banks has written yet another gorgeous, epic, character-driven, page-turner of a novel. I Before E is juicy, fast paced, and emotional--so emotional!
While I am very familiar with the other two books, I did not need to re-read them or even refer to them to enjoy the new point of view in this one. Paolo’s third-person narration unfolds beautifully, creating a deeply intimate and character-rich read. This is the final installment in my favorite kind of trilogy, where each story definitely stands strongly on its own and you can step into it in whatever order you like.
Go ahead and read I Before E first, if you want! It introduces a “best of” cast from the full trilogy. And it’s especially delicious if you like bisexual awakening, Gen-X angst, or place-as-character novels (An authentic-feeling NYC, Berkeley, and San Francisco and a dreamy island of Elba feature.)
As a fifty-something sex educator, queer person, kinkster, and writer of sexy gay stories, I find I Before E thought-provoking, nostalgic, emotional, and satisfying. Banks does not shy away from the challenge of detailing sexual awakening in the decades before consent was widely used to define rape and in gay and gay-adjacent communities that struggled to exist under secrecy and shame. He treats these and other provocative themes with tenderness, careful observation, and compelling imagery.
While I am very familiar with the other two books, I did not need to re-read them or even refer to them to enjoy the new point of view in this one. Paolo’s third-person narration unfolds beautifully, creating a deeply intimate and character-rich read. This is the final installment in my favorite kind of trilogy, where each story definitely stands strongly on its own and you can step into it in whatever order you like.
Go ahead and read I Before E first, if you want! It introduces a “best of” cast from the full trilogy. And it’s especially delicious if you like bisexual awakening, Gen-X angst, or place-as-character novels (An authentic-feeling NYC, Berkeley, and San Francisco and a dreamy island of Elba feature.)
As a fifty-something sex educator, queer person, kinkster, and writer of sexy gay stories, I find I Before E thought-provoking, nostalgic, emotional, and satisfying. Banks does not shy away from the challenge of detailing sexual awakening in the decades before consent was widely used to define rape and in gay and gay-adjacent communities that struggled to exist under secrecy and shame. He treats these and other provocative themes with tenderness, careful observation, and compelling imagery.
April 14, 2026
I Before E by Drew Banks is a coming-of-age novel that brings readers into Paolo’s life. He is a teenage boy in New York City who is struggling with his identity, wrestling with grief, and contending with the expectations put on him. He questions who he is as a person and how much of himself he can explore. His life and home are shaped by caution and loss. His academic environment is demanding. His friendships begin to shift. If he just steps out and begins his journey of discovery, what will he find beyond those boundaries that have defined his world for so long?
The way Drew Banks crafted this story made it reflective and contemplative. I was honored to follow Paolo’s life and what he wrestled with internally. I felt his uncertainties right along with him and was able to understand his thought process. He’s trying to make sense of his conflicting emotions, as with many teens. This makes him relatable. The pacing is appropriate, slow-moving, and gradual, like a day just moving by. I appreciate how Banks brought out Paolo’s struggles, whether they occurred in unfamiliar social spaces, were tied to relationships, or emerged through his sexuality. All of these things forced Paolo to face and question his own assumptions, but Banks did it in a way without forcing the labels. It felt more realistic and fitting for the experiences of an adolescent.
The strongest focus and element of the entire novel is Paolo’s character and the ways he developed as the narrative moved along. As with many youth in his position, he is being cautious initially and a bit withdrawn. He’s also shaped by a protective mother, Maria, and the unresolved issues that come with having an absent father. Early on, I was able to understand his experiences, feeling out of place and struggling academically. This is what life looks like when you’re adjusting. It took me back to my own experiences at his age. He’s also struggling to fit in. I think his friendship with Madge was the turning point. Madge’s personality exuded confidence. She also encourages him to explore beyond the limits he had accepted.
Some of the scenes I think are worth pointing out and that were significant have everything to do with Paolo’s growth. His dream about his childhood goes from calm to unsettling, and seemed to mirror what he was going through in his real life: inner turmoil. The scene where he goes from observing the crowd at a public celebration to actually stepping into the crowd was a pivotal moment. He experiences what existing freely feels like for the first time, without feeling odd or self-conscious. I also liked how Banks brought out Maria’s character. She’s overbearing and makes fear-driven decisions that limit Paolo’s freedom.
In my opinion, some of the secondary characters would have benefited from a bit more strengthening. Madge is well-realized and plays a big part in Paolo’s growth, but some of the other peer relationships could have been explored more. It would have been interesting to see him navigate other connections.
My final thoughts on I Before E, part of The Elba Trilogy, are that it is a very thoughtful and emotionally layered story. It explores a very normal part of life, such as how adolescents wrestle with their identities and who they truly are. It’s a coming-of-age, LGBTQ+ novel that does not shy away from how Paolo handles the complexities of his environment. It was raw, honest, and handled with a lot of thought and care. Readers who are currently going through the same experiences as Paolo will get the most out of this story. Fans of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz will find that familiar sensibility.
The way Drew Banks crafted this story made it reflective and contemplative. I was honored to follow Paolo’s life and what he wrestled with internally. I felt his uncertainties right along with him and was able to understand his thought process. He’s trying to make sense of his conflicting emotions, as with many teens. This makes him relatable. The pacing is appropriate, slow-moving, and gradual, like a day just moving by. I appreciate how Banks brought out Paolo’s struggles, whether they occurred in unfamiliar social spaces, were tied to relationships, or emerged through his sexuality. All of these things forced Paolo to face and question his own assumptions, but Banks did it in a way without forcing the labels. It felt more realistic and fitting for the experiences of an adolescent.
The strongest focus and element of the entire novel is Paolo’s character and the ways he developed as the narrative moved along. As with many youth in his position, he is being cautious initially and a bit withdrawn. He’s also shaped by a protective mother, Maria, and the unresolved issues that come with having an absent father. Early on, I was able to understand his experiences, feeling out of place and struggling academically. This is what life looks like when you’re adjusting. It took me back to my own experiences at his age. He’s also struggling to fit in. I think his friendship with Madge was the turning point. Madge’s personality exuded confidence. She also encourages him to explore beyond the limits he had accepted.
Some of the scenes I think are worth pointing out and that were significant have everything to do with Paolo’s growth. His dream about his childhood goes from calm to unsettling, and seemed to mirror what he was going through in his real life: inner turmoil. The scene where he goes from observing the crowd at a public celebration to actually stepping into the crowd was a pivotal moment. He experiences what existing freely feels like for the first time, without feeling odd or self-conscious. I also liked how Banks brought out Maria’s character. She’s overbearing and makes fear-driven decisions that limit Paolo’s freedom.
In my opinion, some of the secondary characters would have benefited from a bit more strengthening. Madge is well-realized and plays a big part in Paolo’s growth, but some of the other peer relationships could have been explored more. It would have been interesting to see him navigate other connections.
My final thoughts on I Before E, part of The Elba Trilogy, are that it is a very thoughtful and emotionally layered story. It explores a very normal part of life, such as how adolescents wrestle with their identities and who they truly are. It’s a coming-of-age, LGBTQ+ novel that does not shy away from how Paolo handles the complexities of his environment. It was raw, honest, and handled with a lot of thought and care. Readers who are currently going through the same experiences as Paolo will get the most out of this story. Fans of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz will find that familiar sensibility.
May 4, 2026
After reading the first two books in the trilogy, I was committed and couldn't wait to read the third! I Before E, was my favorite. I connected deeply with the protagonist—his drive to understand his past, take risks, and ultimately step into his true self.
What really stood out was how the story pulls everything together. Characters from the first two books begin to intersect, and you start connecting the dots, realizing how intricately their lives are woven together between periods of time and across continents. It’s messy, emotional, and complex—but ultimately lands with a quiet sense of resolution.
A satisfying and thoughtful conclusion.
What really stood out was how the story pulls everything together. Characters from the first two books begin to intersect, and you start connecting the dots, realizing how intricately their lives are woven together between periods of time and across continents. It’s messy, emotional, and complex—but ultimately lands with a quiet sense of resolution.
A satisfying and thoughtful conclusion.
May 16, 2026
A wonderful read !
I Enjoyed following Paolo as he discovered New York's West Village felt so real it brought back found memories of me discovering the Village for the first time myself. I loved Paolo's friendship with Madge their close friendship definitely helped shape his personal growth and gave him courage to face his fears. The descriptions throughout the book were wonderful and detailed, I felt like I actually traveled to Elba myself , enjoying food , scenery and Paolo's journey in discovering the truth.
I Enjoyed following Paolo as he discovered New York's West Village felt so real it brought back found memories of me discovering the Village for the first time myself. I loved Paolo's friendship with Madge their close friendship definitely helped shape his personal growth and gave him courage to face his fears. The descriptions throughout the book were wonderful and detailed, I felt like I actually traveled to Elba myself , enjoying food , scenery and Paolo's journey in discovering the truth.
November 30, 2025
I loved this story! I felt a deep connection to Paolo almost immediately and that stayed with me throughout the novel. If you are looking to take an engaging and emotional reading journey from New York to Italy to California as Paolo’s story unfolds, buy this book!
May 7, 2026
Drew’s book took me back to my own teenage years as a gay man, and Paolo’s identity crisis and self-discovery hit home in such relatable ways. Plus, Drew’s writing style is so sophisticated that it’s hard to put the book down! I really recommend it!
May 6, 2026
Loved this book - from the snapshots of NYC, Elba and San Francisco to the complexity of the main character's relationships with ... pretty much everyone!
May 7, 2026
Banks takes the complex and makes it understandable, offering a commentary while doing so. And you never even knew it happened. Read the whole Trilogy.
January 20, 2026
He leído la trilogía completa de Drew Banks y I Before E es, sin duda, la que más me tocó.
Quizá porque es la más doméstica, la más familiar. Sigue a Paolo, un personaje que ya aparecía de niño en la primera novela, y lo acompaña en su crecimiento como hijo de inmigrantes italianos en el Nueva York de los años noventa, años en los que Internet empezaba a existir, pero todavía no lo invadía todo. Una etapa de transición que atraviesa también la forma en que Paolo va construyendo su identidad.
La novela trata la identidad, la pertenencia y la sexualidad con mucha honestidad y sin dramatismos innecesarios. Me gustó que el libro no intente explicar ni justificar nada: observa, deja espacio y confía en el lector.
I Before E me parece la conclusión perfecta de la trilogía. No busca atar todos los cabos ni cerrar todas las heridas. Es una novela sincera que se queda contigo más por lo que sugiere que por lo que explica.
Quizá porque es la más doméstica, la más familiar. Sigue a Paolo, un personaje que ya aparecía de niño en la primera novela, y lo acompaña en su crecimiento como hijo de inmigrantes italianos en el Nueva York de los años noventa, años en los que Internet empezaba a existir, pero todavía no lo invadía todo. Una etapa de transición que atraviesa también la forma en que Paolo va construyendo su identidad.
La novela trata la identidad, la pertenencia y la sexualidad con mucha honestidad y sin dramatismos innecesarios. Me gustó que el libro no intente explicar ni justificar nada: observa, deja espacio y confía en el lector.
I Before E me parece la conclusión perfecta de la trilogía. No busca atar todos los cabos ni cerrar todas las heridas. Es una novela sincera que se queda contigo más por lo que sugiere que por lo que explica.
May 19, 2026
A beautiful, though-provoking, and incredibly satisfying close to the Elba trilogy. The author intricately interweaves characters and connections throughout time in ways that seem almost unbelievable but for the fact that many of us have had remarkable small world moments occur in our lives, so it’s not that much of a stretch to imagine those connections could be more significant. Paolo’s entire journey, from NYC to Berkeley, and eventually back to his family’s homeland, is beautifully constructed throughout, and the author expertly folds in the complexities of history, loss, family, and sexuality that drive him. It is fascinating to follow a single character for so much of his life and experience how his emotional world shifts and evolves over time. The return to Italy is where the novel truly hits its peak, masterfully picking up story lines and resolving threads from the first two books of the trilogy in surprising and clever ways. I highly recommend reading all 3 novels in order to best understand the history and motivations of each of the characters and thus achieve the greatest catharsis in the end.
May 6, 2026
This is a wonderful coming of age story, featuring Paolo, a boy who emigrates from Italy to New York City, with his mother and sister. The book takes on many weighty themes, including profound loss, sexual discovery and forgiveness. While Paolo is very likeable, my two favorite characters were his BFF Madge, who he meets in High School (everybody needs a Madge in their lives) and Paolo's Aunt Brigitte, who Paolo goes to live with in Italy. Both Madge and Brigitte are forces of nature, and while they never meet, they influence and help shape Paolo into a curious, kind and responsible adult. I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews