Find Him! A Novel
Find Him! A Novel by Elaine Kraf, published by Random House on November 11, 2025, is a thought-provoking exploration of patriarchal violence and female identity. This edition spans 240 pages and is presented in English. The narrative follows an unnamed narrator who, despite her isolation with Oliver—her caregiver and captor—reflects on their complex relationship, which intertwines elements of care and control. As she navigates her existence in society, she grapples with her past and the enigmatic absence of another figure, Edith.
Readers will encounter a story that delves into themes of psychological complexity and the nuances of identity within a contemporary context. The novel’s structure weaves together elements of literary and genre fiction, offering insight into the intricacies of love and power dynamics. Originally published in 1977, Find Him! showcases Kraf’s distinctive style, blending fragments of reality with surreal elements, making it a significant addition to the Modern Library Torchbearers Series, which highlights women’s voices in literature.
Official synopsis Publisher
An uncanny novel which provides keen insight on patriarchal violence and female identity by the author of feminist cult classic The Princess of 72nd Street
With an introduction by Violet Kupersmith
Understand my beginning with Oliver. You will see that my love for him is not a romantic fantasy. Every bit of this love was formed from the reality of primary needs—ingestion, excretion, simple pleasure and pain.
Our narrator’s name and origins are unknown, but she claims to be from “another star.” Though she arrived as a fully grown woman, she did not yet have the ability to speak or look after herself. She lives with Oliver, who serves as both her caregiver and her captor and keeps the two of them in isolation from the rest of the world. Though she has no freedom, she insists that he did his best to protect her, to develop her into something more than she was.
Now she blends into our society, though she is still different at heart. The problem is, she can’t find Oliver. She goes back to their beginning to examine her relationship with him, a strange mix of father, lover, abuser, teacher.
And then there is the question of Edith, a mysterious woman whose absence seems to haunt them both.
Originally published in 1977 and seemingly woven from the fragments of nightmares and fantasies, Find Him! is a paragon of Elaine Kraf’s iconoclastic style, challenging and captivating in equal measure.
The Modern Library Torchbearers Series features women who wrote on their own terms, with boldness, creativity, and a spirit of resistance.
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